How To Choose Your First Multimeter

 

Multimeters are widely used in electronic measurements and come in various options. Earlier analog meters were used but are now replaced with more accurate digital meters. However, analog multimeters are still being used in some industrial machinery. When it comes to multimeter selection, the first thing one should ask himself is the usage. Most domestic and hobbyist usage is limited to AC and DC measurements, resistance and capacitance measurements, and the continuity test. Some models offer additional features but are not commonly practiced, such as PNP or NPN test for transistors and the diode's forward and reversed biases. Since the product is mostly used indoors or in limited spaces, the device's compactness is another thing that needs to be considered.

Let’s now do a thorough discussion on features and functionality. Digital multimeters offer two functionalities: auto-range adjustment and manual adjustment. While in the auto range, one just has to select a feature such as voltage, current, or resistance, and the meter automatically adjusts itself according to the measured reading. In contrast, in manual meters, one has to select the feature and the range for the measurement. Say for example, for voltage AC measurements, the meter knob is usually set to 400V range.

Since these meters deal with high voltage and current sources, safety is crucial here. Selecting a brand with high insulation and built-in safety circuitry is always a wise choice and must never be compromised over price. Besides device safety, another important thing is the safety of the probes you want for your device since you would indirectly contact them when measuring. When looking for probes, you need to look into the specifications of the probes, like the maximum current allowed, the sturdiness and elasticity of the probes, and the category in which the probes lie. Certain multimeters have fixed probes, so you don’t place them incorrectly.

To summarize, there are two ways to go. First, you could go for manual range meters with limited range and functionality, which are cheaper. The other recommendation is auto range meters with more features and better insulation, but is costly. The basic features like AC, DC, and resistance may only differ in the range adjustment since the auto range would have a broader range.