Hand Held Electrical Calculators and Multimeter Test Equipment

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Will Wire

Senior Member
Location
California: NEC 2020
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
With all the products avaliable today I was wondering what you feel is the best Hand Held Electrical Calculator and the best Multimeter. There are alot of apps for the smart phones also. I'm interested in any opinion on those too. Thanks, Trent
 
I consider those kind of calculators to be gimmicks but a lot of people like them.

I personally am found of my Ideal meter that ideal gave me a few years ago.

If I had an unlimited budget for one, I would get one of the flukes that has the clamp on probe that does 4-20 mA signals.
 
Smart-Phone apps

Smart-Phone apps

Gimmick and marginal function was my impression of most smart phone apps.
Developers are optimizing their apps for larger tablet screens, and leaving the smart-phone version's unfinished and incomplete.
Smart phone apps draws a fee from mass-market downloads, but many published reviews show a trend of people feeling ripped off.
 
Here's what I look for in a DMM/Clamp-on

Here's what I look for in a DMM/Clamp-on

1. High impedance voltage readings: AC and DC
2. Resistance Measurements
3. Backlighting
4. True RMS measurements
5. Low Impedance power voltage measurements
6. Category III 600V/1000V

Clamp-on Ammeter
1. AC & DC
2. Category III 600V/1000V
3. Backlighting
4. True RMS measurements

I consider non-contact voltage testing a minor advantage.

I 've had Sears (voltage measurements failed on one, cover over LCD fell off on another)
Klein
Amprobe (analog V & A) good for some troubleshooting.
Fluke
Ideal
 
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I agree with Ramsy, and to add that most apps don't work like people think they should! :ashamed1:

There are a few App's that deal with things electrical some from manufactures, one has their complete product line of electrical devices Deco www.getdeco.com and the other deals with wire -South Wire. www.southwire.com. , the later has a link to their app on the web page.
 
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