How professional multimeters differ from household ones, how to choose a multimeter

When it comes to choosing a multimeter, the user is faced with a problem. Which multimeter is suitable for its various purposes? After all, the assortment of measuring instruments of this type is quite wide today, multimeters with more or fewer functions are on the market, some are more expensive and some are cheaper, but the choice should be made not to buy the first one that catches your eye.

For household purposes, the device is simpler, and for repair and laboratory work related to the diagnosis of electronic devices and maintenance of industrial equipment, you will need a professional multimeter. Let's compare the difference between a household multimeter and a professional one, and what tasks this or that class of this device will solve.

As a household multimeter is very popular today device model DT830 and its modifications. This compact digital device fits easily in the palm of your hand, and allows you to carry out all the basic measurements that may be required in everyday life. Its price is low, it is very common, and is available under various brands, so it is easily available.

However, let's see what can be done with this device. Of course, the user will be able to measure the voltage in a household network with a frequency of 50 Hz, measure the voltage on the secondary winding of a low-frequency transformer, if its value is obviously lower than 750 volts. It is also possible to measure the strength of alternating or direct current within 10 A, but not continuously.

Allows device DT830 measure and resistance in the range from 200 ohms to 2 megohms, as well as “ring” diodes, and measure gain bipolar current transistors. The control is carried out by a rotary 20-position switch, and the simplest are used as probes wire probes with plastic handles and plugs.

Advice! Choose a multimeter that has a continuity. This is very convenient: when your hands are busy, you do not have to turn the device to look at the indicator - a characteristic sound signal will indicate that the circuit is closed.

For rare use in everyday life, such a device is quite suitable. They can measure the voltage in the household network, the voltage at the terminals of the batteries, the batteries, check the bipolar transistors, check the resistors, diodes, you can check the integrity of the spiral of a heating appliance. However, such a device is hardly suitable for frequent work.

Firstly, regular probes, with regular use, simply break at the base or come off, and with frequent attempts to measure current, the device can quickly fail, because extreme accuracy is required in this mode, and measurements should not be long.

Thus, the household multimeter is different in that it is not suitable for regular operation, it is suitable only for rare measurements of relatively low voltage, when significant interference is excluded, moreover, a simple household multimeter is extremely sensitive to high-frequency effects on it. As an ohmmeter, the DT830 is great, but you should not expect high accuracy from it.

What to do if you need a reliable device for professional regular work, for example, repair or research, where completely different values ​​of the measured voltages, currents, and frequencies are possible. And what if you need to regularly measure the parameters of components, such as capacitors, inductances. It may be necessary to measure the high frequency voltage or measure the temperature.In this case, you already need a professional multimeter, you can’t do a simple household multimeter.

An example of a professional multimeter is digital measuring instrument Victor VC9808 +, very popular with many users who regularly work with electricity and electronics. Of course, this is just a multimeter, not oscilloscopeHowever, it is useful to have in your arsenal a high-quality and functional measuring device, just one that can be safely called a professional multimeter.

The case of this professional multimeter has a silicone case, thanks to which it lies securely in your hand, does not slip, and the case itself is not scratched against foreign objects. The probes have durable flexible mounts, much more reliable than simple, cheap models. In addition, the probes have protective caps.

The device is controlled using a 30-position switch, as well as buttons. It should be noted that a separate button is used to turn on the device. In addition, if you forget to turn off the device, then after a while it will turn itself off, thereby saving the power of the supply battery.

Unlike simple household multimeters, this professional device is suitable for daily use, for example, for the diagnosis of switching power supplies. In addition to the standard functions of a voltmeter, ammeter and ohmmeter, it is possible to measure capacitors up to 200 microfarads, inductances up to 20 H, there is also a frequency meter up to 10 MHz and a thermometer.

The range of resistance measurements is quite wide - from 200 ohms to 2000 megohms, this indicates a high maximum internal resistance of the device, which is important when working with accurate circuits. It is possible to measure the current strength up to 20 A, both alternating and constant, switching between AC / DC modes is carried out by a button.

The frequency meter is able to display not only the number of oscillations per second, but also the duration of the duty cycle, that is, the duty cycle of the DC, which is again useful when working with pulse circuits, switching F / DC is carried out by a special button.

A thermocouple is included with the device, with which you can measure the temperature of various objects, substances, surfaces, in the range from -40 to + 1000 ° С.

There is a difference between a professional multimeter and a household one with a wider functionality and the ability to measure high-frequency pulse signals. If we talk about accuracy, then it can be customized.

In general, very accurate laboratory devices with an error within 0.5% are much more expensive than popular professional and household multimeters. For ordinary professional work, high-precision devices are not needed, and as a rule, they cost a high-quality professional multimeter, which regularly serves for years, if you do not exceed the rating and do not confuse the voltage with the current, trying to "measure the current in the outlet." Remember safety precautions!