Modern multi-meters, new functions etc.

[ericmark]

Yet another multi-meter, wife seems to think I have not got enough? The main meters have worked well, the pen meter she got me a few weeks back, I asked her for this for Christmas I have this this one, plus the old AVO Mk8 and other assorted meters gained through the years, my son has my old loop impedance meter and PAT tester, but main meter has been the red/black clamp on for the last year or so, having AC plus DC amps, at 1 mA resolution, plus the NCV (non contact volts) which most modern meters seem to have, and the clamp is very handy when not measuring amps, to hang to meter where I can see it, the clips included in some meters to hold one probe are good, but wanted the DC amps and able to measure earth leakage, that was more important.

The new meter also has NCV but you have to hold a button pressed to read it, and only 3 bars where other two show 4 bars (strength of AC signal) but only had this function in last year, seems meters are evolving.

 

[Jurassicspark]

The new meter also has NCV but you have to hold a button pressed to read it, and only 3 bars where other two show 4 bars (strength of AC signal) but only had this function in last year, seems meters are evolving.

Rubbish implementation. Rather use a NCV stick.

 

[ericmark]

Rubbish implementation. Rather use a NCV stick.

Even the NCV stick has changed, has a built in light etc. Just three buttons on the multi-meter not sure I trust it to show correct reading. Is it measuring volts, ohms, or non contact volts as shown here it seems a bit of a lottery. This means non contact volts, and the instructions are useless.

OK I know enough to work out what it is doing, the leads are not GS 38 compliant, and one wonders what any non electrician will do with this tester, I suppose at least can't select amps in error, it does not have an amps scale. I watched a video

and must agree this meter has taken cheapness to a silly level.