Which benchtop DMM to buy?

Having the intention to buy a bench top DMM (mains supply as advantage so it can contineously be "on") because it is the only one which also include inductance measuring.
This for a reasonable price. Does anybody has gathered some experience about this DMM?
Or, can somebody recommend another one in this price range? (Must include L- measurement possibility).
 
Having the intention to buy a bench top DMM (mains supply as advantage so it can contineously be "on") because it is the only one which also include inductance measuring.
This for a reasonable price. Does anybody has gathered some experience about this DMM?
Or, can somebody recommend another one in this price range? (Must include L- measurement possibility).
Bear in mind that a meter will have a limited range of measurement, and will only use a small signal
at a low current level. This will not be very accurate for iron core inductors.
 
But I want to have a DMM which supply comes from the mains. These type need an extra power supply or a battery and that is what I do not want. That handheld DMM's are alway "on" for a certain time and then notify you they will be automatically shut off and then I need perform some action to prevent this. Sometimes annoying.
 
Hi,

a bench DMM with specs similar to an 30$ handheld like the Aneng 8008 just because of a power chord and dubious L measurement?
Heck it doesn´t even offer 4-wire measurement ... one of the few advantages of benchtops over handhelds.
Also think about no isolated measurements ... just in case You want to poke around in a circuit with the negative probe of teh DMM.
Well it´s Your money and your wishes, but I´d ask myself what I needed a permanent-on DMM for?
Do You do a lot of Data-logging?
If not then a decent handheld DMM around 60-100$ (like a Brymen or a UNI-T UT-61E if safety is of lower concern) plus one of those extremely cheap LCR-testers like T4 (only 2-wire) or the more advanced ones with 4-wire measurement like the XJW-01 or DER5000 will fit the bill and will offer higher accuracy and precision and isolated DMM-measurements.

jauu
Calvin
 
I have a pair of Fluke 8000a bench meters that I use for things that need to be on for a long time, like bias or offset measurements.

no inductance or capacitance measurements, but then a proper instrument is the way forward for those measurements, and I love the warm red led display that I can see from some distance and even if a bench light is reflecting from the readout.

They cost 20 quid for the pair...
 
Having the intention to buy a bench top DMM (mains supply as advantage so it can contineously be "on") because it is the only one which also include inductance measuring.
This for a reasonable price. Does anybody has gathered some experience about this DMM?
Or, can somebody recommend another one in this price range? (Must include L- measurement possibility).
That’s a nice looking meter, you got me thinking that I need one too. There are some other choices out there depending on which features are the most important. Something nice about a desktop unit.
 
I have a pair of Fluke 8000a bench meters that I use for things that need to be on for a long time, like bias or offset measurements.

no inductance or capacitance measurements, but then a proper instrument is the way forward for those measurements, and I love the warm red led display that I can see from some distance and even if a bench light is reflecting from the readout.

They cost 20 quid for the pair...
I used to work for a power utility in the calibration department.I had a Fluke 8000a to test that had a last tested sticker 10 years prior.The DMM still tested bang on,they are super accurate long term.
 
There are, I discovered, some digital oscilloscopes where they have optional ($) firmware to add multimeter capability amongst other things.
 

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I picked up a pair of HP/Agilent 34401A multimeters for dimes on the dollar in the 2009 recession. I use them almost daily. Love 'em. They don't measure inductance (or capacitance for that matter) though.

Depending on your needs, you may consider a stand-alone LCR meter. A good one isn't cheap. The test fixtures aren't cheap either. But at least you get a good reading and can often vary DC bias, test frequency, etc.

One possibility could be to build an LCR meter. Elektor has one that's supposed to be quite good: https://www.elektor.com/elektor-2-mhz-lcr-meter-kit

Tom
 
I picked up a pair of HP/Agilent 34401A multimeters for dimes on the dollar in the 2009 recession. I use them almost daily. Love 'em. They don't measure inductance (or capacitance for that matter) though.

Depending on your needs, you may consider a stand-alone LCR meter. A good one isn't cheap. The test fixtures aren't cheap either. But at least you get a good reading and can often vary DC bias, test frequency, etc.

One possibility could be to build an LCR meter. Elektor has one that's supposed to be quite good: https://www.elektor.com/elektor-2-mhz-lcr-meter-kit

Tom

You are correct that a good stand-alone LCR meter isn't cheap. To build one myself consumes too much time to do that.
In the meantime I decided to give the UNIT-T type: UT8803E a try and purchased it.
Will keep you informed when it has arrived and I can test it.

Joe.