Replies

1. 
   SteveL | Jan 21, 2003 06:48am | #1

   I work in HVAC and use a Fluke 12 multimeter and a Fluke 32 clamp-on ammeter. Both are very sturdy, accurate enough and reliable for my purposes. Check their website http://www.fluke.com/ for new products. Each of my meters was about $120 each.

1. 
   JMartindal1 | Feb 17, 2003 03:54am | #11

   I had a fluke clamp-on. came up w/ VERY high leg on my service. Called power co in....he said "I knew it was bad reading when u said u had a fluke." Wont get another.

2. 
   CPopejoy | Jan 21, 2003 09:42am | #2

   Bitman,

   For a DMM in the form of a tester, the Fluke T5-600.  Volts, resistance/continuity, and amps (fork slips over conductor, like a clamp-type).

   If you want a meter, the Fluke 112 is an excellent DMM in a small package.  Another DMM, the Fluke 16, does not have all the features of the 112, but has a couple of features well-suited for HVAC (temp and larger values of capacitance).  It also has a "v-check" feature that measures voltage at lower impedance than a normal DMM, so it doesn't give false readings of "phantom" voltage due to inductive/capacitive coupling between the unpowered line under test and a parallel live conductor.  

   Also, Ideal has a tester that measures volts, resistance, amps (clamp-on type), and has a couple of other neat features--a built-in non-contact voltage tester, and a solenoidal tester (again, so you don't get fooled by induced/coupled voltage).  Don't recall the model #.  Look at idealindustries.com for it.

   I'm partial to the Fluke T-5, it's a well-designed and solidly built tool.

   Cliff

1. 
   MIKEBUETTNER | Jan 21, 2003 10:15pm | #3

   Thanks for the reply. I had been looking at the Flukes but that Ideal you mentioned is pretty cool. All of the 700 series from Ideal are nice. Which model did you look at? I am hoping they all have backlight display and if so the 701 at $128 might be my choice. Unfortunately I can't find a place to get one... no distributors in my area and no online sales :(

   bit

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 21, 2003 11:39pm | #4

   I don't know which models they have, but try

   http://www.contacteast.com

   http://www.techni-tool.com

   http://www.professionalequipment.com

1. 
   MIKEBUETTNER | Jan 22, 2003 01:50am | #5

   Thanks for the links. Unfortunately none of them carry Ideal. But I did find a local (200 miles) distributer that was nice enough to order me one and ship directly to me from Ideal. I got the Ideal clamp 704:

   http://idealindustries.com/tm/ClampMeters.nsf

   A little pricey at $155 but will suit my needs just fine.

   bit

3. 
   4Lorn1 | Jan 27, 2003 08:56am | #6

   If you worker in the electrical field Fluke would be the first on the list. Reliable and tough.

   Most users will do just as well with a cheaper analog meter at about $40. I keep one around in the job box for the helpers to beat up and forget under a house. Decent back up.

   Recently I bought an Ideal model at HD. I left my regular one back at the house and had a need. They had a regular digital, about $75, and a true RMS for around $100. I got the true RMS. So far, a few months, it has served me well. It seems sturdier than the cheap analog but a bit less than the Fluke. Only time will tell.

   I have noticed that the biggest threat to meters, of all kinds, is moisture and gross physical abuse, like having a helper placing it behind the trucks rear wheel so it would be out of the rain. Lunch was expensive that Monday. Currently I keep my meters in heavy duty zip lock bags with holes melted through for the leads. It seems to help in the rain or for the occasional dip in a puddle.

1. 
   don26299 | Feb 16, 2003 08:35am | #7

   I like the Amprobe digital for 35$.  Haven't had any problem.  No clamp-that would be handy.

4. 
   Gunner | Feb 16, 2003 09:03am | #8

   If you just want to do fast checks this is the one I carry around in my back pocket most of the time. http://www.fluke.com/products/home.asp?SID=2&AGID=3&PID=3396

   I also have a full blown multi meter that measures everything including hertz. It's a Fluke also but I don't recall the model number off hand and it's at work so I can't look it up.

    This handy looking guy here figures to be my next one. It's got everything you need in a compact enough size to keep it in your back pocket without being a pain, and it's priced around a hundred bucks, and I have seen it at sears. http://www.fluke.com/products/home.asp?SID=2&AGID=3&PID=3395
1. 
   CPopejoy | Feb 16, 2003 10:25pm | #9

   Hey Gunner,

   If you 've got a T2, is it one of those recalled for safety defects?  Two separate designs of the T2 were recalled for different problems.  The Fluke website has a list of the serial numbers of the defective ones. 

   I sent my T2 in and they sent me a new T3.  Slightly improved features.

   You're right about the T5.  It's a great tool.  The only thing that they could improve on it would be to include a solenoidal tester feature, i.e. a low impedance voltage test (called the v-check on the model 12).  The new Ideal testers have it, and it saves me from carrying two testers.  I like the solid construction of the Fluke products, though.

   Cliff

1. 
   Gunner | Feb 16, 2003 10:58pm | #10

   Thanks for the heads up. I'll bring mine home tommorrow and check it out.