Multimeter

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Buy one with a low Z voltage range -- it will save you lots of time not dealing with phantom voltages.

fluke 114 116 117
klein MM2000 MM2300
... other brands
 
Are you looking to be able to take current readings with a clamp as well? If you're only going to have one meter, I'd look at a clamp meter.

The brands I'd look at first are AEMC, Agilent, Fluke and Hioki. Those are companies that design and manufacture their own stuff. They're also going to have the most expensive options, but I know Agilent (and sometimes AEMC, on their website) have some sub $150 choices with CAT IV and TRMS.

Next would be Ideal, Greenlee, Amprobe, Megger and Klein. They've got a lot of weight behind their brands, even if they're not designing and manufacturing themselves. I included Megger because I'm not sure they design or manufacture their clamp meters or DMMs. I think Ideal is probably the most solid of the bunch based on the clamps I've used or owned from these companies.
 
The long answer

The long answer

At what locations are you going to be reading voltage?
only devices plugged into receptacles 30 feet from a CAT III source & 60 feet from a CAT IV -- use CAT II
only indoor locations which do not meet CAT II -- use CAT III
at utility connections or any circuit that is outdoors -- use CAT IV

True RMS meter so you can see the real current and voltage. Non-true RMS estimate the value from peak or average and only give proper readings on sine waves.

Low-Z voltage readings. With the exception of low current electronic circuits and possibly some fire alarm circuits this is the way you should measure voltage. High-Z, which is the inherent property of DVM circuits, will give false readings through capacitive (and magnetic?) coupling of floating wires to energized wires.

Frequency range of the meter in voltage and current measurements maybe important if you are dealing with variable frequency drive motors.

Beeping continuity tester is useful for circuit tracing.
 
PetrosA said:
Are you looking to be able to take current readings with a clamp as well? If you're only going to have one meter, I'd look at a clamp meter.

The brands I'd look at first are AEMC, Agilent, Fluke and Hioki. Those are companies that design and manufacture their own stuff. They're also going to have the most expensive options, but I know Agilent (and sometimes AEMC, on their website) have some sub $150 choices with CAT IV and TRMS.

Next would be Ideal, Greenlee, Amprobe, Megger and Klein. They've got a lot of weight behind their brands, even if they're not designing and manufacturing themselves. I included Megger because I'm not sure they design or manufacture their clamp meters or DMMs. I think Ideal is probably the most solid of the bunch based on the clamps I've used or owned from these companies.
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You learn something everyday ... I didn't know that Agilent sold meters mere mortals could afford.
 
More info from Fluke on Ghost Voltage (AKA Phantom Voltage, AKA Stray Voltage):

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/community/fluke-news-plus/ArticleCategories/DMMs/Stray+Voltage.htm

Stray Voltage Elminator Link:

http://www.flukeonlinestore.com/3100477.html

Used on a meter like a Fluke 87V.

Many "Electrician" oriented clamp meters on VAC range have lower input impedance than a high accuracy DMM like a Fluke 87V. This helps to addess Ghost Voltage. I have a Fluke 381 and I have never seen it Ghost (480 VAC and less).
 
davidgarrett said:
I need to buy a new multimeter. I do primarily residential and small commercial service calls. I would like to keep it under $150. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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I would also suggest the Klein MM2000 or MM2300.

The MM2000 is only $109 at any Home Depot, is CAT IV 600 Safety rated, measures up to 1000V, and has Low Z for ghost voltage. For under $150, you can step up to the MM2300 which gives you 6000 counts (over the 4000 of the MM2000), Lead Alert warnings and Auto-Hold (which are usually only found on $300 Flukes), and includes a carrying case.
 
fmtjfw said:
You learn something everyday ... I didn't know that Agilent sold meters mere mortals could afford.
Click to expand...

Sure they do. A number of their DMMs under $150 are TRMS, but I don't see a TRMS clamp meter under $150 ($174 on their website). I guess none of the companies I listed as designers/makers offer a TRMS clamp meter under $150, except AEMC from time to time when they discontinue a model. The only time I really feel like I need TRMS in residential work though is if I'm troubleshooting and have to call in the POCO based on my readings. A TRMS meter is harder for them to question.

http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pc-1...ultimeter-dmm?pm=SC&nid=-34618.0&cc=US&lc=eng


Honestly though, I think there are some good options even under $100 for a basic, capable clamp meter or DMM (but a decent clamp will cost more than the DMM...). I carry an Ideal 61-746 on my tool pouch belt and they can be had for $69 with free shipping from Amazon. It's great for all the quick and dirty measurements I have to do. At home I keep a MultiMetrix MX23 (from AEMC) that I picked up on their website for like $65. Even now they have some interesting deals online.

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/aemc/the-533/6000-dsh-Count-Digital-Multimeter-Model/Detail
 
Greeting from Ware Shoals,

Consider a Fluke T-5 as an entry level meter. It has an open jaw for current measurements. It is well in your price range. The drawbacks are that it is an averaging high impedance meter, but it is the first meter I reach for here on the farm.

The high impedance part can be worked around by loading the circuit using a light bulb or heater.
The true RMS you have to live with, until you save enough to get a better instrument.
 
MarineTech said:
More info from Fluke on Ghost Voltage (AKA Phantom Voltage, AKA Stray Voltage):

http://www.fluke.com/fluke/usen/community/fluke-news-plus/ArticleCategories/DMMs/Stray+Voltage.htm

Stray Voltage Elminator Link:

http://www.flukeonlinestore.com/3100477.html

Used on a meter like a Fluke 87V.

Many "Electrician" oriented clamp meters on VAC range have lower input impedance than a high accuracy DMM like a Fluke 87V. This helps to addess Ghost Voltage. I have a Fluke 381 and I have never seen it Ghost (480 VAC and less).
Click to expand...


That's pretty interesting, reading about something I have always known about but never had explained before. That said, I like my regular high impedance meters just fine because I know when I am getting readings
that are BS. So I will save myself $55 and be ok. Maybe one of these days I'll pick up a used Lo Z piece to keep around. I like to watch Craigslist for Fluke items. I recently scored a Fluke 337 for $100. Reminds me to
point out to the orig poster if you buy an amp clamp type meter, get one that will read and hold peaks.
 
I mainly do commercial service calls.

I carry the Fluke 322 ampclamp on my belt. It is compact, rugged, and cheap.

On the truck, my DMM is a Fluke 179. I picked it over the Fluke 117 and its brothers because it seemed a little more like the (ubiquitous) Fluke 87 but at a more affordable price. I use it mainly to measure mV drop on breakers that are warm or losing a pole intermittently. Also, the 179's ohmmeter is more reliable than the 322.

For LoZ voltage measurement, GFCI and phase rotation tests, I keep the Fluke T-plus Pro on the truck.

Also on the truck are two Extech meters:
The EX730 ampclamp is for measuring DC current.
The 380260 megger is used for insulation testing.

All my meters are on the cheap side because I paid for them, not the company I work for. I wish I could get one meter close to the 322 that did all this (except for megger) for around $150.
 
What kind of accuracy is needed. Simple voltage and continuity testers or solenoid testers work quite a bit of the time. You still need a separate meter for measuring amps though.

Many times for voltage all we really care about is if it is on or off, and if it is reasonably close to nominal voltage of the system involved.
 
davidgarrett said:
I need to buy a new multimeter. I do primarily residential and small commercial service calls. I would like to keep it under $150. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...

George Stolz said:
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/instruments/fork-meters/2205-20

I have several meters. After buying the Milwaukee one, my quest has ended. It's my daily carry.
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There is actually a pretty good buy on amazon for the one George Stoltz has--around $100.

The Home Depot had a deal here ,if you bought the Milwaukee 2216-20 they gave you the 2235-20 clamp meter. I bought it and seem to be using the clamp 90% of the time now.

A couple of the other workers bought this one last month. Not bad for $30.

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-CL3000-Fork-Meter/dp/B003LH7YW6/ref=pd_cp_hi_3#productDetails
 
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