I am new to the electrical trade and have been trying to figure out what kind of meter I should get. I was given a fluke 73-III but I was wondering if I should be looking for a clamp on meter with the same options. I 've also been told all I need is a wiggy. I am in the comercial side of the trade so I am trying to get the most for my doller as well as the best quality.
voltmeters
- Thread starter lavgunman
- Start date
- Status
Re: voltmeters
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My best advice to you is watch, listen and learn don't be to much in a hurry to get the meters and all the different tools the journeyman or master electrician has, concentrate on your apprenticeship and keep your nose to the grind stone, everything else will fall into place as the years go by, I know I have been doing this for 22 years
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paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: voltmeters
I ditto what Jhr said. You have an excellent meter with that 73. I had one till I threw it out by accident. I miss it dearly.
Being new, you really don't have much of a need to go around testing volts n amps on circuitry yet. When you get to that stage, my recommendation is the T5. Keep the extra $10 in your pocket and get the one that goes to 600V and leave the one that goes to 1000V. For anything over and above that, the contractor you work for should provide the test equipment. Until then, what you have and a wiggy will do most of what you're gonna need.
I ditto what Jhr said. You have an excellent meter with that 73. I had one till I threw it out by accident. I miss it dearly.
Being new, you really don't have much of a need to go around testing volts n amps on circuitry yet. When you get to that stage, my recommendation is the T5. Keep the extra $10 in your pocket and get the one that goes to 600V and leave the one that goes to 1000V. For anything over and above that, the contractor you work for should provide the test equipment. Until then, what you have and a wiggy will do most of what you're gonna need.
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: voltmeters
Clamp meters are great, but do you really need one? I'm a one-man shop, and I don't even use mine all that often.
That being said, I own a Fluke 337. I'm quite happy with it, but it wasn't cheap (it lists for $314.95). I agree with Joe -- watch and learn first. You can let the company provide you with the expensive tools for now. Chances are, if they aren't providing them to you, you probably don't need them.
Clamp meters are great, but do you really need one? I'm a one-man shop, and I don't even use mine all that often.
That being said, I own a Fluke 337. I'm quite happy with it, but it wasn't cheap (it lists for $314.95). I agree with Joe -- watch and learn first. You can let the company provide you with the expensive tools for now. Chances are, if they aren't providing them to you, you probably don't need them.
marinesgt0411
Senior Member
- Location
- Naples,FL 34110-9285
Re: voltmeters
get the little $10.00 tick tester and carry it always like a pen or pencil if the wire is hot go turn it off and lock it out before you work on it. most of our 3rd and 4th year apprentices are not even allowed to have a meter on the job.wait till you have worked with other electricians and see the meters they use I will almost guarantee that if you buy a meter now you will find one that you like better later on. and you will proudly not need to use it for quite a while. let others supply the expensive tools till you actually need them the wiggy is all you should need
get the little $10.00 tick tester and carry it always like a pen or pencil if the wire is hot go turn it off and lock it out before you work on it. most of our 3rd and 4th year apprentices are not even allowed to have a meter on the job.wait till you have worked with other electricians and see the meters they use I will almost guarantee that if you buy a meter now you will find one that you like better later on. and you will proudly not need to use it for quite a while. let others supply the expensive tools till you actually need them the wiggy is all you should need
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
Re: voltmeters
I don't think a new apprentice needs to invest in a meter right off the bat. Somebody will probably give you one for free soon enough, but there's nothing wrong with the 73III. I used that one up until a few years ago. For what it's worth, my day to day meter is the Fluke T5-600. Quick, small, rugged, and I can turn the selector knob with the thumb of the hand that I'm holding the meter with in case I get "in poition" and forget to turn it on.
I don't think a new apprentice needs to invest in a meter right off the bat. Somebody will probably give you one for free soon enough, but there's nothing wrong with the 73III. I used that one up until a few years ago. For what it's worth, my day to day meter is the Fluke T5-600. Quick, small, rugged, and I can turn the selector knob with the thumb of the hand that I'm holding the meter with in case I get "in poition" and forget to turn it on.
physis
Senior Member
Re: voltmeters
I disagree with putting off getting a good measurement tool. Frankly I'm offended at the notion of waiting until you know more.
A good meter is one of the best tools you can have to learn what electricity does, how it behaves and get an idea of how to understand it.
Your meter is how you visualize the electricity.
I can't recommend what meter or model you should get. It depends a lot on what you do. A good Amprobe is indispensable and so is a good volt meter and ohm meter. I also use LCR bridges that measure inductance and capacitance. Most electricians don't need that, but I feel wierd without it. That's just me.
When I worked with speakers I needed an ohm meter that did .000,01 ohms. You probably don't need that kind of accuracy.
To me, you basically want the best tool you can afford if it will help you learn or build things right.
If it's only to do typical electrical work, you don't need anything very fancy at all.
But it's most likely a mix of those two ideas.
My favorite electrical work diagnostic tool is still a 100 watt incandecent bulb.
37 cents at home depot.
I disagree with putting off getting a good measurement tool. Frankly I'm offended at the notion of waiting until you know more.
A good meter is one of the best tools you can have to learn what electricity does, how it behaves and get an idea of how to understand it.
Your meter is how you visualize the electricity.
I can't recommend what meter or model you should get. It depends a lot on what you do. A good Amprobe is indispensable and so is a good volt meter and ohm meter. I also use LCR bridges that measure inductance and capacitance. Most electricians don't need that, but I feel wierd without it. That's just me.
When I worked with speakers I needed an ohm meter that did .000,01 ohms. You probably don't need that kind of accuracy.
To me, you basically want the best tool you can afford if it will help you learn or build things right.
If it's only to do typical electrical work, you don't need anything very fancy at all.
But it's most likely a mix of those two ideas.
My favorite electrical work diagnostic tool is still a 100 watt incandecent bulb.
37 cents at home depot.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: voltmeters
They work great in finding a dead short.In series they save numerous trips to reset breaker.I learned this many years ago when I was a baby elegtrician and working on fuse block protected buildings.
They work great in finding a dead short.In series they save numerous trips to reset breaker.I learned this many years ago when I was a baby elegtrician and working on fuse block protected buildings.
kevinware
Senior Member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Re: voltmeters
Lavgunman,
From one apprentice to another, pay attention to the opinions stated on this form you will thank yourself later in your career. Now the great thing about this form is everyone can voice their opinion, so here is mine. I agree with "watch listen and learn" and please don't go rushing out to buy any test equipment because you will always buy the wrong thing if you don't, yep you guessed it "watch look and listen". The guys that have been out there for years are not carrying five different kinds of meters. I am going out on a limb here, well before I try to speak for everyone let just tell you what I have and use. I have a wiggy and a greenlee CM-650. I use my wiggy for general voltage testing and when I need to be a little more accurate or need a current reading I use my greenlee. The company I work for supplied me with a Fluke 87, that is a $400 meter and I don't even use it. Now with all that said, I have to agree with the statements here about being ready. Having a meter doesn't mean you are ready to go start taking readings, there are apprentices at my school that can't take readings from an in-line fuse without thinking it is shorted And please, when you do get a meter, learn how to use it. Read the users manual, hell sleep with the damn thing. I have worked with guys before that had a real nice setup of test equipment but they didn't know how to use is. Don't be one of those guys or you will be talked about on this form by me
Lavgunman,
From one apprentice to another, pay attention to the opinions stated on this form you will thank yourself later in your career. Now the great thing about this form is everyone can voice their opinion, so here is mine. I agree with "watch listen and learn" and please don't go rushing out to buy any test equipment because you will always buy the wrong thing if you don't, yep you guessed it "watch look and listen". The guys that have been out there for years are not carrying five different kinds of meters. I am going out on a limb here, well before I try to speak for everyone let just tell you what I have and use. I have a wiggy and a greenlee CM-650. I use my wiggy for general voltage testing and when I need to be a little more accurate or need a current reading I use my greenlee. The company I work for supplied me with a Fluke 87, that is a $400 meter and I don't even use it. Now with all that said, I have to agree with the statements here about being ready. Having a meter doesn't mean you are ready to go start taking readings, there are apprentices at my school that can't take readings from an in-line fuse without thinking it is shorted
And please, when you do get a meter, learn how to use it. Read the users manual, hell sleep with the damn thing. I have worked with guys before that had a real nice setup of test equipment but they didn't know how to use is. Don't be one of those guys or you will be talked about on this form by me jmd445
Senior Member
- Location
- Hamilton Twp., NJ
Re: voltmeters
Personally, I would buy a good meter once you save up for it. You can use a tick tracer but remember they have limitations. Earlier someone mentioned a Fluke T-5----We use them and they are a good 'disposable' meter. Make sure your's is rated Cat III at 1000V and Cat IV at 600 volts for safety.
DO NOT bargin basement a meter. I can save your life or Kill you.
Personally, I would buy a good meter once you save up for it. You can use a tick tracer but remember they have limitations. Earlier someone mentioned a Fluke T-5----We use them and they are a good 'disposable' meter. Make sure your's is rated Cat III at 1000V and Cat IV at 600 volts for safety.
DO NOT bargin basement a meter. I can save your life or Kill you.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
Re: voltmeters
To visualize electricity use an oscilloscope. But you wouldn't want to carry one around with you. I have a different opinion, I think that it's more important to know what information that a meter is giving you than to have an expensive meter. I have seen many people with expensive test equipment that didn't even know how to use the equipment. If you have a wiggy, then learn it's limitations and know when a more advanced piece of test equipment is called for. Your brain is what keeps you safe, test equipment is just used to gather information. Learn how to make use of this information.
[ January 18, 2006, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: growler ]
To visualize electricity use an oscilloscope. But you wouldn't want to carry one around with you. I have a different opinion, I think that it's more important to know what information that a meter is giving you than to have an expensive meter. I have seen many people with expensive test equipment that didn't even know how to use the equipment. If you have a wiggy, then learn it's limitations and know when a more advanced piece of test equipment is called for. Your brain is what keeps you safe, test equipment is just used to gather information. Learn how to make use of this information.
[ January 18, 2006, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: growler ]
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: voltmeters
Wow, these are some long responses.
These are the 3 tools that you need:
1) A plain old solenoidal "Wiggy" style tester with a continuity feature, such as the Ideal Vol Con. Stay away from the digital wiggies like the Ideal Vol Con Elite.
2) A non-contact voltage sensor.
3) A clamp-around meter which incorporates a voltmeter function.
It is an extremely rare occasion that I need a voltmeter for anything. They do come in handy for troubleshooting low voltage circuits such as fire alarm systems. But for day to day use simply to test for the presence of voltage, a Vol-Con is all you need.
The
Wow, these are some long responses.
These are the 3 tools that you need:
1) A plain old solenoidal "Wiggy" style tester with a continuity feature, such as the Ideal Vol Con. Stay away from the digital wiggies like the Ideal Vol Con Elite.
2) A non-contact voltage sensor.
3) A clamp-around meter which incorporates a voltmeter function.
It is an extremely rare occasion that I need a voltmeter for anything. They do come in handy for troubleshooting low voltage circuits such as fire alarm systems. But for day to day use simply to test for the presence of voltage, a Vol-Con is all you need.
The
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: voltmeters
There is always opinions here, and that is what makes this site so special. Now you need to read these and try to decide what you will need to do. We all make mistakes in our lives, we try to keep these mistakes to a minimum.
Learning is always the hard part, especially when there is a price tag to it. What you can do to help speed up your learning process (something that was not available to us older guys) is use the Web.
Try
http://us.fluke.com/usen/apps/electrical/default.htm
There is very good information on testers of all kinds on this site. The only problem is for "gadget guys" it is like going to the candy store... so resist the temptations.
There is always opinions here, and that is what makes this site so special. Now you need to read these and try to decide what you will need to do. We all make mistakes in our lives, we try to keep these mistakes to a minimum.
Learning is always the hard part, especially when there is a price tag to it. What you can do to help speed up your learning process (something that was not available to us older guys) is use the Web.
Try
http://us.fluke.com/usen/apps/electrical/default.htm
There is very good information on testers of all kinds on this site. The only problem is for "gadget guys" it is like going to the candy store... so resist the temptations.
physis
Senior Member
Re: voltmeters
Are you saying he shouldn't have a meter because it's useless if he's not measuring something energized?
In the real world we're actually exposed to electricity. That's simply a fact.
A meter is a fundimental tool in understanding electicity.
Safety doen't by necessity get thrown out the window because someone has or uses a meter.
Of course safty is important.
I'll also admit that my language you sited was stronger than it needed to be.
Edit: And rereading the thread it seems like I'm going after you, sorry about that, I didn't really mean to be personal about it.
[ January 18, 2006, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
jhr, would you rather he worked on things "without" the ability to know what he's dealing with?
Are you saying he shouldn't have a meter because it's useless if he's not measuring something energized?
In the real world we're actually exposed to electricity. That's simply a fact.
A meter is a fundimental tool in understanding electicity.
Safety doen't by necessity get thrown out the window because someone has or uses a meter.
Of course safty is important.
I'll also admit that my language you sited was stronger than it needed to be.
Edit: And rereading the thread it seems like I'm going after you, sorry about that, I didn't really mean to be personal about it.
[ January 18, 2006, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
james wuebker
Senior Member
- Location
- Iowa
Re: voltmeters
physis. I agree with you all the way. Your meter is very important. I have a 73III that I still use and also have my FLUKE 87. I also believe some type of clamp on meter is good. I still have a Fluke 33 which they don't make anymore. If you get a good meter now it will last you a long time. If your and 1st year electrician or a master you have to learn how to use a meter and I believe if you start early it's better for you in the long run.
Jim
physis. I agree with you all the way. Your meter is very important. I have a 73III that I still use and also have my FLUKE 87. I also believe some type of clamp on meter is good. I still have a Fluke 33 which they don't make anymore. If you get a good meter now it will last you a long time. If your and 1st year electrician or a master you have to learn how to use a meter and I believe if you start early it's better for you in the long run.
Jim
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: voltmeters
While meters have their use, a solenoid voltage tester is a far better tool in most cases, for the average electrician. I can't tell you how many times I have seen excellent electricians get all screwed up trying to troubleshoot a problem using a high impedance input meter.
Don
While meters have their use, a solenoid voltage tester is a far better tool in most cases, for the average electrician. I can't tell you how many times I have seen excellent electricians get all screwed up trying to troubleshoot a problem using a high impedance input meter.
Don
Re: voltmeters
I learned a lot about electricity by playing around with a meter when I was a kid. I tested known good circuits and found out what readings were normal, and then what readings I would get when something was wrong. This has helped make me a good troubleshooter. Of course, by all means be safe, just don't become one of those guys that can bend conduit perfectly, but couldn't diagnose a blown light bulb. I would strongly recommend a Cat 3 meter with an amp clamp, testing volts is only part of the equation. I own a Fluke 36 and I don't have issues with high input impedance like some meters do. This is my day to day meter. I also own a Fluke 189, for different types of troubleshooting,ie. micro-amps for furnace work and the like. Of course, the wiggy is always available if you need a second opinion.
I learned a lot about electricity by playing around with a meter when I was a kid. I tested known good circuits and found out what readings were normal, and then what readings I would get when something was wrong. This has helped make me a good troubleshooter. Of course, by all means be safe, just don't become one of those guys that can bend conduit perfectly, but couldn't diagnose a blown light bulb. I would strongly recommend a Cat 3 meter with an amp clamp, testing volts is only part of the equation. I own a Fluke 36 and I don't have issues with high input impedance like some meters do. This is my day to day meter. I also own a Fluke 189, for different types of troubleshooting,ie. micro-amps for furnace work and the like. Of course, the wiggy is always available if you need a second opinion.
electricman2
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Re: voltmeters
If it was only WP and shock proof as my Fluke.
Thats why I keep my old Simpson 260.
If it was only WP and shock proof as my Fluke.- Status