R
Rui Maciel
Guest
Can you spare any tips on DMMs for newbies?
Thanks in advance,
Rui Maciel
Thanks in advance,
Rui Maciel
P
Phil Allison
Guest
"Rui Maciel"
** DMMs use probes - not tips.
Fuckwit.
.... Phil
** DMMs use probes - not tips.
Fuckwit.
.... Phil
R
Rich Webb
Guest
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:48:58 +0100, Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com>
wrote:
select the function" type then get into the habit of leaving the DMM set
to a moderately high voltage range when you're finished with it.
That prevents those unfortunate learning experiences when one picks up
the DMM for the first time in a month intending to measure a voltage
source -- but it was left in an amperage range and <poof> blows the fuse
(if you're lucky) or the meter (if you're not).
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
wrote:
If it's the "on-off switch" type and not the "rotate to turn on and
select the function" type then get into the habit of leaving the DMM set
to a moderately high voltage range when you're finished with it.
That prevents those unfortunate learning experiences when one picks up
the DMM for the first time in a month intending to measure a voltage
source -- but it was left in an amperage range and <poof> blows the fuse
(if you're lucky) or the meter (if you're not).
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
M
Michael Black
Guest
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010, Rui Maciel wrote:
a better DMM. Someone already pointed out the need to be careful or
you'll wreck the meter, a beginner is far more likely to make mistakes
than one with experience, so buying a cheap meter means you won't lose
much if/when you do damage the meter. Or your interest in electronics
won't last, so you haven't spent too much on it by buying the cheap meter.
People could supply a list of "needed test equipment", but you have to be
the judge of what you need and can afford, but you won't get to that point
until you've actually started doing things. So when you can, it is far
better to start with used or cheap equipment, to get a feel for it, which
helps you to make an informed decision when/if you need something better.
I bought my first oscilliscope at an amateur radio auction for five
dollars, it was horrible, heavy and very old almost forty years ago,
but it gave me something to play with, which at that point was mostly what
I wanted a scope for. I learned the basics, and then learned how lousy
that scope was. That seems to be a better situation than being told
what you need, spending the money, and then not knowing what to do with
the scope.
Michael
what is there, and get a better idea of what you might want in the way of
a better DMM. Someone already pointed out the need to be careful or
you'll wreck the meter, a beginner is far more likely to make mistakes
than one with experience, so buying a cheap meter means you won't lose
much if/when you do damage the meter. Or your interest in electronics
won't last, so you haven't spent too much on it by buying the cheap meter.
People could supply a list of "needed test equipment", but you have to be
the judge of what you need and can afford, but you won't get to that point
until you've actually started doing things. So when you can, it is far
better to start with used or cheap equipment, to get a feel for it, which
helps you to make an informed decision when/if you need something better.
I bought my first oscilliscope at an amateur radio auction for five
dollars, it was horrible, heavy and very old almost forty years ago,
but it gave me something to play with, which at that point was mostly what
I wanted a scope for. I learned the basics, and then learned how lousy
that scope was. That seems to be a better situation than being told
what you need, spending the money, and then not knowing what to do with
the scope.
Michael
R
Rui Maciel
Guest
Michael Black wrote:
and what sort of battery they take, appear to lack any relevant difference. Are there any features
that I should look for?
Thanks for the help,
Rui Maciel
Good point. Yet, there are tons of cheap portable DMMs on ebay which, besides external appearance
and what sort of battery they take, appear to lack any relevant difference. Are there any features
that I should look for?
Thanks for the tip, Michael. You do make a good point.
Thanks for the help,
Rui Maciel
R
Rich Webb
Guest
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:54:34 +0100, Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com>
wrote:
A "true RMS" meter may be useful on the AC ranges. On the other hand,
the non-"true RMS" meters are set internally to convert average to RMS
for sine wave inputs so, as long as what you're measuring is pretty
close to a sine shape, the results should be close enough for most
purposes. If you really need a 0.1% or better RMS value for odd-shaped
waveforms, you'd probably already know.
Pick up a set of inexpensive banana to mini-clip (or alligator) test
leads. That lets you clip the DMM to the circuit's ground reference and
frees up one hand to do something else, or to clip one to ground and one
to a test point to leave both hands free while you adjust the gizmo.
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
wrote:
A backlight for the display is nice to have.
A "true RMS" meter may be useful on the AC ranges. On the other hand,
the non-"true RMS" meters are set internally to convert average to RMS
for sine wave inputs so, as long as what you're measuring is pretty
close to a sine shape, the results should be close enough for most
purposes. If you really need a 0.1% or better RMS value for odd-shaped
waveforms, you'd probably already know.
Pick up a set of inexpensive banana to mini-clip (or alligator) test
leads. That lets you clip the DMM to the circuit's ground reference and
frees up one hand to do something else, or to clip one to ground and one
to a test point to leave both hands free while you adjust the gizmo.
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA
P
Phil Allison
Guest
"Rui Maciel"
** That is because, essentially, there is none.
** You are just another boring, PITA fuckwit troll trying to make your
pathetic case of purchase anxiety over a $10 item into our problem.
Lemme tell ya - it fucking aint !!!!
...... Phil
** That is because, essentially, there is none.
** You are just another boring, PITA fuckwit troll trying to make your
pathetic case of purchase anxiety over a $10 item into our problem.
Lemme tell ya - it fucking aint !!!!
...... Phil
T
Tom Biasi
Guest
"Rui Maciel" <rui.maciel@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4c3d8810$0$505$a729d347@news.telepac.pt...
the 20 Amp. position and trying to measure line in this condition will be
dangerous.
Tom
news:4c3d8810$0$505$a729d347@news.telepac.pt...
Check the position of your probes every time. Many meters have no fuse in
the 20 Amp. position and trying to measure line in this condition will be
dangerous.
Tom
J
Jamie
Guest
Phil Allison wrote:
P.S.
This should start a fire ball of two!
Jamie
down under just don't get it?
P.S.
This should start a fire ball of two!
Jamie
J
Jamie
Guest
Rui Maciel wrote:
They have some that will be fine for first timers..
Go to a harborfreight store, if you have one near by or order on line..
They have some that will be fine for first timers..
Guest
On Jul 14, 8:08 am, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:
Nice to know of some constants in the universe.
G˛
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:
Until I got to the 'F...wit' part, I thought he actually made a joke.Phil Allison wrote:
"Rui Maciel"
Can you spare any tips on DMMs for newbies?
** DMMs use probes - not tips.
Fuckwit.
... Phil
Jesus Phil, is our language that hard to comprehend or you guys
down under just don't get it?
P.S.
This should start a fire ball of two!
Jamie
Nice to know of some constants in the universe.
G˛
A
amdx
Guest
"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:i1k5n2$pkc$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au...
news:i1k5n2$pkc$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au...
Mike
C
Cydrome Leader
Guest
Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> wrote:
if the meter has a current range, it will act like a short circuit across
the probes. The meter will either blow a fuse or just burn out if you set
it to say a 250mA range and connect it to a large battery or an outlet.
In the volts range, it's much harder to break the meter
measuting the currents and voltages in a flashlight is usually pretty easy
and will let you learn what the meter is doing without breaking anything.
When a DMM acts weird, it may be time for new batteries, even if you think
they are still good.
if the meter has a diode check or continuity mode, it can usually run a
LED, at least if it's a red one.
measure whatever you can, like the output of power supplies that plug into
the wall or stuff like that. The more you do something, the more familiar
it becomes and the more sense it makes in the end.
Electronics is a hands-on activity.
here's a few tips
if the meter has a current range, it will act like a short circuit across
the probes. The meter will either blow a fuse or just burn out if you set
it to say a 250mA range and connect it to a large battery or an outlet.
In the volts range, it's much harder to break the meter
measuting the currents and voltages in a flashlight is usually pretty easy
and will let you learn what the meter is doing without breaking anything.
When a DMM acts weird, it may be time for new batteries, even if you think
they are still good.
if the meter has a diode check or continuity mode, it can usually run a
LED, at least if it's a red one.
measure whatever you can, like the output of power supplies that plug into
the wall or stuff like that. The more you do something, the more familiar
it becomes and the more sense it makes in the end.
Electronics is a hands-on activity.
P
Phil Allison
Guest
"Jamie"
But the fuckwit OP needs to learn how to post a meaningful question.
Cos what he just post is not one.
..... Phil
** Nope.
But the fuckwit OP needs to learn how to post a meaningful question.
Cos what he just post is not one.
..... Phil
M
Michael A. Terrell
Guest
amdx wrote:
Or fell through the broken seat in the outhouse.
--
Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to
have a DD214, and a honorable discharge.
Or fell through the broken seat in the outhouse.
--
Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to
have a DD214, and a honorable discharge.
M
Michael A. Terrell
Guest
Jamie wrote:
Sigh. Can't you read? He's in SA, not the US. Shipping costs and
import duty would wipe out any savings ordering one from HF.
--
Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to
have a DD214, and a honorable discharge.
Sigh. Can't you read? He's in SA, not the US. Shipping costs and
import duty would wipe out any savings ordering one from HF.
--
Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to
have a DD214, and a honorable discharge.
D
David Eather
Guest
On 15/07/2010 12:19 AM, Rich Webb wrote:
Don't buy from ebay.
These guys (below) sell to a lot of engineers, technicians and
hobbyists. They seem to be reliable.
http://www.dealexcel.com/
This is a good choice for a first multimeter if you are a careful double
checking sort of person.
http://www.dealexcel.com/unit-ut61a-modern-digital-multimeters-4000counts-dmm-sku366_p366.html
This is about as cheap a meter as I would suggest for a first meter.
http://www.dealexcel.com/ut30d-palmsize-digital-multimeters-sku420_p420.html
There is also a similarly named company called www.dealextreme.com They
have a wider range of hobbyist level tools at slightly lower prices.
They are also reliable.
Two other points - buy an energy authority approved soldering iron from
a supplier in your own country - not from ebay or from overseas - and if
your house is not fitted with earth leakage detection get yourself a
portable unit for use with your gear.
Last, throw away any supplied batteries and fit good quality alkaline
like Eveready or Duracell - its not so much for the long life but to
make sure it doesn't leak and wreck your meter (for the $15 meter it
probably doesn't mater)
Definitely agree with the above.
Don't buy from ebay.
These guys (below) sell to a lot of engineers, technicians and
hobbyists. They seem to be reliable.
http://www.dealexcel.com/
This is a good choice for a first multimeter if you are a careful double
checking sort of person.
http://www.dealexcel.com/unit-ut61a-modern-digital-multimeters-4000counts-dmm-sku366_p366.html
This is about as cheap a meter as I would suggest for a first meter.
http://www.dealexcel.com/ut30d-palmsize-digital-multimeters-sku420_p420.html
There is also a similarly named company called www.dealextreme.com They
have a wider range of hobbyist level tools at slightly lower prices.
They are also reliable.
Two other points - buy an energy authority approved soldering iron from
a supplier in your own country - not from ebay or from overseas - and if
your house is not fitted with earth leakage detection get yourself a
portable unit for use with your gear.
Last, throw away any supplied batteries and fit good quality alkaline
like Eveready or Duracell - its not so much for the long life but to
make sure it doesn't leak and wreck your meter (for the $15 meter it
probably doesn't mater)
R
Rui Maciel
Guest
David Eather wrote:
good but I'm not very comfortable contributing to this sort of shenanigans.
that, if I order stuff from them, the customs people would create all sorts of problems. Are there
any decent sites that sell stuff from within europe?
Rui Maciel
Indeed. Ebay does have quite a lot of cheap DMMs but they are all chinese knock-offs. Cheap is
good but I'm not very comfortable contributing to this sort of shenanigans.
Those sites do look good but. Unfortunately, as they are chinese companies it is very possible
that, if I order stuff from them, the customs people would create all sorts of problems. Are there
any decent sites that sell stuff from within europe?
Thanks for the tips, David.
Rui Maciel
D
David Eather
Guest
On 15/07/2010 11:33 AM, Rui Maciel wrote:
under that amount they don't care (it costs more to collect than it is
worth) also tools are often tax free or at least tax reduced. Check with
the appropriate department, it will at least be worth your time.
I can't help you with Europe specific info. Someone on this newsgroup
mentioned a german company called Conrad.
Many countries have a minimum amount of customs to collect - if you are
under that amount they don't care (it costs more to collect than it is
worth) also tools are often tax free or at least tax reduced. Check with
the appropriate department, it will at least be worth your time.
I can't help you with Europe specific info. Someone on this newsgroup
mentioned a german company called Conrad.
B
Bill Bowden
Guest
On Jul 14, 2:48 am, Rui Maciel <rui.mac...@gmail.com> wrote:
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html
Only problem is using it in direct sunlight which adds about 0.5 to
the reading.
Use in shaded light only.
-Bill
Harbor Freight - 7 function - DMM - $1.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-function-digital-multimeter-90899.html
Only problem is using it in direct sunlight which adds about 0.5 to
the reading.
Use in shaded light only.
-Bill