I recently decided to get a second multimeter. My Extech 330 is great but there are definitely times I want to measure two different voltages at once. The Fluke 113 was available at £89 ex vat so I went for it.
Reading the manual (http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/113_____iseng0000.pdf) I see it is a low impedance meter, only 3k in fact. The manual states ...
When k CHEK is activated, the meter has low input impedance (LoZ)
≅3 kΩ. This load can alter the voltages in electronic control circuits. Do
not use k CHEK to measure voltage in circuits that could be damaged by
a 3 kΩ load.
So if I measure 300VDC to ground with this meter it will draw 100mA ?
Is this meter unsuitable for DIY valve amp building work ?
Reading the manual (http://assets.fluke.com/manuals/113_____iseng0000.pdf) I see it is a low impedance meter, only 3k in fact. The manual states ...
When k CHEK is activated, the meter has low input impedance (LoZ)
≅3 kΩ. This load can alter the voltages in electronic control circuits. Do
not use k CHEK to measure voltage in circuits that could be damaged by
a 3 kΩ load.
So if I measure 300VDC to ground with this meter it will draw 100mA ?
Is this meter unsuitable for DIY valve amp building work ?
Not at all. The low impedance is only when using the diode check range.
It is designed to measure up to 600v DC/AC and resistance plus capacitance.
It is designed to measure up to 600v DC/AC and resistance plus capacitance.
This page refers to the dual-impedance meters (114 up)
Dual impedance digital multimeters - What's the point?
It says ...
With a dual impedance meter, select the Auto-V/LoZ function. This function has a low input impedance on the order of three kilohms. When the leads are placed on an open circuit that contains a ghost voltage, the low input impedance will cause the ghost voltage to dissipate and the meter will display a reading near zero volts indicating no voltage present.
When the leads are placed on a live circuit, however, the input senses the presence of "hard" voltage and then displays the actual voltage present.
The 113 only has the LoZ setting, so I infer that it#s input impedance is ALWAYS 3k and does not switch when "hard" voltages are present ... ?
Dual impedance digital multimeters - What's the point?
It says ...
With a dual impedance meter, select the Auto-V/LoZ function. This function has a low input impedance on the order of three kilohms. When the leads are placed on an open circuit that contains a ghost voltage, the low input impedance will cause the ghost voltage to dissipate and the meter will display a reading near zero volts indicating no voltage present.
When the leads are placed on a live circuit, however, the input senses the presence of "hard" voltage and then displays the actual voltage present.
The 113 only has the LoZ setting, so I infer that it#s input impedance is ALWAYS 3k and does not switch when "hard" voltages are present ... ?
I do not understand when Vcheck will be active.
As you say, it is quite unlikely to be 3K on 300V. Unless it only loads in short blips.
I do know "ghost voltages". In AC power wiring, a dead (unconnected) wire will tend to drift to a stray voltage, but will drop if you put your finger on it (do not try this at home). A friend reported 40VAC on the idle leg of a 3-way switch, and figuring cable capacitance and (10Meg) meter loading that's about what you expect. An internal 3K resistor is safer than a finger.
Why ask us? Put 10K resistor in series with various known voltages, say 1.5V 9V, 300V, and measure. If Vcheck is active, the readings with the 10K in series will be low. The skimpy manual and sales-page seem to suggest the Vcheck is "smart", but does not say just what smarts it has. You should not have a helper of unknown smarts/stupidity.
I think this is an Electrician's Meter, not a Electronics meter.
As you say, it is quite unlikely to be 3K on 300V. Unless it only loads in short blips.
I do know "ghost voltages". In AC power wiring, a dead (unconnected) wire will tend to drift to a stray voltage, but will drop if you put your finger on it (do not try this at home). A friend reported 40VAC on the idle leg of a 3-way switch, and figuring cable capacitance and (10Meg) meter loading that's about what you expect. An internal 3K resistor is safer than a finger.
Why ask us? Put 10K resistor in series with various known voltages, say 1.5V 9V, 300V, and measure. If Vcheck is active, the readings with the 10K in series will be low. The skimpy manual and sales-page seem to suggest the Vcheck is "smart", but does not say just what smarts it has. You should not have a helper of unknown smarts/stupidity.
I think this is an Electrician's Meter, not a Electronics meter.
I think I agree.
I tested a voltage in my latest build using my Extech 330, stable at 217vdc.
Leaving the Extech connected and measuring, the Fluke measured 167vdc. What's more, the Extech measured 167 too.
My concern was not about the 113s accuracy but about the effect it has on the circuit being measured.
Another problem I found out was that it can't measure resistances in excess of 60k! I thought there must be a fault but checked the manual and there it is.
Going to try and return it.
I tested a voltage in my latest build using my Extech 330, stable at 217vdc.
Leaving the Extech connected and measuring, the Fluke measured 167vdc. What's more, the Extech measured 167 too.
My concern was not about the 113s accuracy but about the effect it has on the circuit being measured.
Another problem I found out was that it can't measure resistances in excess of 60k! I thought there must be a fault but checked the manual and there it is.
Going to try and return it.
> can't measure resistances in excess of 60k!
Again, smells like an Electrician's meter. Electricians work with few-Ohm windings and sub-Ohm wires. Something that sucks like a 50K resistor isn't doing enough *work* to bother an electrician with.
Again, smells like an Electrician's meter. Electricians work with few-Ohm windings and sub-Ohm wires. Something that sucks like a 50K resistor isn't doing enough *work* to bother an electrician with.
They kinda state its an electricians meter on the website.
Fluke 113 Utility Multimeter | Digital Multimeters | Multimeter
Input impedance easily missed if you are not looking for it.
Fluke 113 Utility Multimeter | Digital Multimeters | Multimeter
Input impedance easily missed if you are not looking for it.
This, to me, would be the tip-off:
"We" want a dingus used inside by a blue-shirt equipment technician, not outdoors in the meter-box and a company brown uniform.
I do agree that "basic electrical tests" is JARGON. It is not clear, without broad over-view, that this is not the meter for electronics. Or even that Fluke makes so MANY meters each to a specific task that it is hard to know what each one won't do well.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
"We" want a dingus used inside by a blue-shirt equipment technician, not outdoors in the meter-box and a company brown uniform.
I do agree that "basic electrical tests" is JARGON. It is not clear, without broad over-view, that this is not the meter for electronics. Or even that Fluke makes so MANY meters each to a specific task that it is hard to know what each one won't do well.
Ya know, I just went walkabout on FLUKE's site and am totally lost. I thought "bench meter", but that led to non-bench meters, and "Specialty" led me back to "Bench". Their "Selection Guide" was no use unless there was a SPECIFIC feature I needed.
It would be easier to get an old Heath VTVM off eBay and fix it. We know those work for our needs.
It would be easier to get an old Heath VTVM off eBay and fix it. We know those work for our needs.
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