If you’ve been looking for the best multimeters for electronics technicians, then you are definitely in the right place!
Electronics technicians are responsible for the maintenance and installation of electronic equipment. Multimeters are an essential tool for these professionals because they provide a way to check many different parameters without having to physically take apart the circuit board or components unless needed.
Every day electricians and other technicians are using multimeters to diagnose problems with power, circuitry, or electronics. But how do you know which multimeter
is best for the job?
Multimeters come in different varieties, so it can be difficult to find which one is best for your needs. This blog post will help you choose the right one!
Our List of the Best Multimeter for Electronics Technicians
| Brand | True RMS | Backlit LCD | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluke 115 |   | Yes | Yes | Click Here for Price |
| Fluke 287 |   | Yes | Yes | Click Here for Price |
| INNOVA 3340 |   | No | No | Click Here for Price |
| Extech EX330 |   | No | Yes | Click Here for Price |
| Greenlee Dm 510A |   | Yes | Yes | Click Here for Price |
| Testo 0590 |   | Yes | Yes | Click Here for Price |
| Fluke 77-IV |   | No | Yes | Click Here for Price |
1) Fluke 115
It is a compact true RMS durable and accurate multimeter for professional and domestic use. It is the best multimeter for electronics technicians.
Fluke 115 is a true RMS multimeter that is accurate to measure linear and non-linear loads. It has a large LED display with a resolution of 6000 counts. It tests AC/DC volts and current, capacitance and resistance, frequency, continuity, and diode checks on a single dial.
Fluke digital multimeter 115 is a compact well designed, one-hand simple device that is very easy to operate. It starts with on and off buttons 8 testing operations can be done with by its dial rotator. With its backlit display option, you can easily work in a dim light area for example when you are working in the garage or any home or office basement.
Plus, it can measure temperature as well. Its temperature range is -10 to +60 degrees which is a complete package for those electricians who work in refrigeration, fridge, and AC field. Moreover, it can measure and maintain a record of fluctuation of signals whether these are minimum average or in maximum form. It is the best multimeter for electronics technicians. You can also check the comparison that we did of Fluke 115 and 117 recently.
2) Fluke 287 Digital Multimeter- One of the best multimeters for electronics technicians on our list
Fluke 287 is a True RMS digital multimeter that comes up with all new advanced features like data logging, digital bar graph, and data that can be exported to your computer. It’s a highly advanced and versatile multimeter for electronic technicians.
Fluke 287 is a hub of advanced electronic problems solutions. These include the features of data logging includes maximum, average, and minimum, real-time clock on-screen form which you can see the measurement reading as well as at the same time you can easily count the clock timing on screen, online graphing data hold in which it can hold the measurement on screen and data export to the computer means you can send your digital multimeter calculations to your computer due to this you can share your readings with your team members.
Fluke 287, a fully-featured digital multimeter that provides highly accurate readings to electronics technicians while measuring linear or non-linear loads, or the voltage or current has a sinusoidal or non-sinusoidal waveform.
The advanced feature of multiple measurements at the same time helps for quick error deduction and problem deduction and solutions as well as single-line plot measurement, with 50,000-word count and ¼ VGA dot matrix display the multimeter LED-lit display makes it easy to read the graph.
All in all, this is a great choice for troubleshooting and isolating different issues as it is an advanced digital multimeter for electronics.
3) INNOVA 3340
INNOVA 3340 is an automotive multimeter that works in vast fields you can work with it in auto-mobile, electronics, datacom, buildings constructions, and many other fields.
It is a high-quality multimeter that has multiple features such as; locate engine problems, duty cycle, test alternating diodes, switches, wires, breaker points, outlets, and much more.
It provides overload protection, auto-ranging, and auto shut-off function. This last feature ensures that the multimeter will turn- off after 10 minutes when it is not in use. Thus, it helps to save the multimeter’s battery life. Up to 15 amp of current can be measured. Providing 10 megaohms input resistance makes it more efficient, safe, and ideal for automotive and electrical fields its avoid damage to the vehicle’s ECU.
INNOVA 3340 is an easy-to-use small and handy device. You can take it anywhere you need. It is available at a reasonable price. With INNOVA 3340 you will find an inductive RMP clamp, temperature probe, and carrying case. It is an ideal digital multimeter for electronics technicians and automobile technicians due to its advanced troubleshooting functions.
4) Extech EX330
Extech EX 330 is a non-contact voltage detector and multi-function multimeter, ideal for electricians, hobbyists, technicians, and homeowners. It is perfect for IT purposes.
Extech EX330 is an auto-ranging 12 function mini- multimeter and a non-contact voltage detector that can measure temperature, voltage, current, resistance, captaincies, duty cycle, frequency, continuity, and diode testing which means it has all those functions which electronic technicians need.
Extech EX330 has the feature of 2000 counts with a large LED display on which you can easily read your measurements even in darker settings. Its auto-ranging option offers you the option to select different ranges while you are working on different tasks. UL listed CATIII-600V includes, two AA batteries, test leads, tiles stand, and type temperature probe.
There is a red light indicator that alerts you when you are near outlets, switches, and live wire. As soon as it finds voltage, it makes you alert with an audio beep. You can save your measurement with its data hold function and maximum hold function. It can save and display its maximum reading.
There is an auto power-off function. It turns off automatically after 15 minutes when it is not in use.
In conclusion, Extech EX330 is a complete package in one device for electronic technicians. It has all those functions which you need for your work and it is available at a reasonable price. That’s why I like to call it the best multimeter for electronics technicians.
5) Greenlee Dm 510A
Greenlee DM 510A is a true RMS multimeter that measures current and voltage resistance and frequency. It is a multimeter for electronic technicians, beginners, hobbyists, and house owners. Compared with fluke it is reasonable and cheap and their performances are the same.
Comes up with a 6000 count display along with a backlit, large LCD display anyone can easily read the measurements. Very easy to operate ideal for beginners with manual and automatic range selection makes it very easy to take accurate measurements with selected modes.
It comes with a beep jack that warns you when you place incorrect test leads in current measurement terminals.
It can hold your measurements with the data hold feature to compare them with the next measurements. Automatically select AC or DC volts, as well as resistance and continuity its low impedance helps to detect ghost voltage.
6) Testo 0590
Testo 0590 7602 760-2 is an automatic ranging true root mean square digital multimeter with all new advanced features that enhance its accuracy. It’s ideal for industrial use as well as for electronic technicians.
Testo 0590 7602 760-2 is a true RMS multimeter that has no rotary dial. There are function keys for measurements for quick and easy testing with only one hand. It gives you a reliable measurement. Plus, you can measure electric parameters more easily. You can measure current in the Mega amp range means it has the capability of a large measurement range with high current strength resistance.
Testo 7602-2 deduct automatically proper measurements limit through the socket provision which makes it even safer in terms of preventing damage. With the backlight, large LED display you can easily read the measurement.
It is a digital multimeter with the main features of measuring current, voltage, resistance. Moreover, the low-pass filters achieve more reliable and accurate measurements. Temperature can also be measured by this multimeter in an electrical structure.
7) Fluke 77-IV
Fluke 77-IV is a digital multimeter that is highly efficient and gives you reliable and accurate measurements. It’s ideal for beginners, house owners, hobbyists as well as electronics technicians.
Fluke 77-IV is a highly efficient, quick error detector, and can give accurate measurements to help repair most of the electrical problems related to dc and ac voltage. It’s very easy to operate.
With the feature of manual and auto-ranging, it is very easy to find and measure ghost values that give the more accurate result and prevent damage.
The ghost voltages are an electrical phenomenon that can cause a digital multimeter to give dc voltage readings that are inaccurate. This is caused by the stray voltage from other electronic devices, like chargers and power adapters.
Although Fluke 77-IV is not a true RMS multimeter, it is specially designed for damage repair and field service ideal for IT best multimeter for electronics technicians.
Multimeter Shopping Tips for Electronics Professionals
As an electronics professional, I deal with a lot of different equipment. One of the most important tools is my multimeter. There are many features and types to consider when shopping for a new one.
What should you consider when looking for a new multimeter for electronics? What is the difference between analog and digital meters? How much money should you spend on your first digital multimeter? These questions and more will be answered in today’s blog post!
What makes the best multimeter for electronics and what are its uses.
A basic multimeter is a device that can measure voltage, current, and resistance along with many other things. What does this mean? It means you can use it to check how much power your computer’s power supply is putting out or see if the high-voltage lines from an electrical substation are working properly.
In addition, it can be used for troubleshooting circuit boards in electronics like radios or TVs as well as testing batteries in toys and other battery-operated devices.
For these reasons alone (not even taking into account its usefulness for checking continuity), the best multimeter for electronics technicians should be on every toolkit!
Features to consider when choosing a multimeter:
- Do you want a multimeter that can measure capacitance and inductance along with the standard voltage, current, and resistance?
Ever need to know the capacitance or inductance of a component in your circuit?
You’re not alone. In my experience, when you have a problem with an electronic component and want to diagnose it, measuring its capacitance or inductance is often necessary.
Unfortunately, I’ve been struggling to find a multimeter that can measure both these values at once – until now!
The Fluke 115 Multifunction best multimeter for electronics technicians has all the features you’ll ever need for diagnosing electronics components.
It’s small and lightweight enough that it can be used on any device without worry about damaging it, yet powerful enough to handle everything from basic measurements like resistance, voltage, and current up through more complex tasks such as capacitance, inductance, and frequency.
- An auto-ranging function
A multimeter’s auto-ranging function is great. It makes the job of a technician or engineer so much easier and quicker.
One thing that sets the digital multimeters apart is our auto-ranging function, it eliminates any need for guesswork on your part!
All you have to do is plug in the leads and take measurements – voila! You get accurate readings every time with no math involved.
- Audible continuity test feature to check for short circuits
If you’re a technician, chances are that your job is a lot more demanding than the average person. This means that there’s no time for mistakes and it can be difficult to find out what went wrong with an electrical system in order to fix it. Whether the issue is with the dc voltage supply or somewhere else, you will know it easily.
Have you ever been in the middle of testing a circuit and sensed something was not right? What if there were an audible continuity test feature that could help diagnose problems before they happen.
This feature will let you know whether or not the circuit has power by emitting a beeping sound. It does this by transmitting an audio signal through the resistance of the circuit and detecting how much current is flowing through it when it is closed. If there is no current flow, then there must be something wrong with the connection which will emit no noise when you are conducting circuit continuity tests. You can also use this feature to detect problems in wires that may have been damaged during installation or just need some maintenance.
So you can see, there are many reasons why a multimeter with an audible continuity test feature is an indispensable tool not just for technicians, but also the average DIYer.
- Back-lit display
What if you’re in an area where there are no natural light sources? In these cases, your ability to see what’s happening on the backlit display of your compact multimeter may be limited.
Some models are designed in a way that it will light up the display screen when you turn the dial so that you can see all your readings clearly even in low-light environments. This is a great feature for technicians who work on electronics or other projects outdoors at night!
The best part about this technology is that it doesn’t use much power, so you can be sure your batteries won’t die out quickly!
- Auto-off function
Many technicians have trouble with multimeters that don’t automatically turn off. The problem is the batteries in your device are running out of power when you’re not using it.
Auto-off is a function on some meters that turns them off after a set period of time. It helps conserve battery life and prevents accidental exposure to high voltage or currents. When shopping for a new meter, be sure to check whether this function is available before settling on one.
- Low battery indicator
Electronics technicians often rely on their multimeters to provide them with accurate readings. Knowing when the batteries are running low can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a spare battery.
A multimeter with this function will let you know when your batteries are running out of power so that you can be prepared.
It’s also useful if there is no opportunity to purchase new ones in time.
Specific brands and models that you should consider for your needs
Multimeters can range from cheap and basic models that have only some of the features necessary for your needs to more expensive models that offer all of the bells and whistles you could ever want.
Depending on what your needs are and how much you’re willing to spend, there is a multimeter that will fit the bill for you.
Klein tools are best known for their rugged multimeters and similarly, Fluke multimeters are known for their quality and reliability.
Difference between Analog and Digital Multimeters
Analog Multimeters:
- They are usually less expensive than the digital models
- Best to use for low frequency and voltage measurements
- Analog multimeters also don’t have an auto-range function but they do have a manual range switch. The user manually selects the appropriate scale for the reading.
- Best to use when you need precision and accuracy with low-frequency measurements, such as in power system studies
Digital Multimeters:
- They are more expensive than analog models but can measure higher frequencies too.
- Best used for high voltage
- The best choice is if you want a multimeter that can measure high frequencies or both AC and DC voltages. Digital meters with these features also tend to be more accurate than analog models. These types of multimeters are also called True RMS meters. They also have better battery power too sometimes as compared to their analog counterparts.
- Best for use in the field of electronics or other projects because they can measure resistance, capacitance, and frequency with ease
- They have a wider range of measurements than analog models which provide greater accuracy when taking measurements.
- Digital multimeters also come with a low impedance (although not all of them) mode that lowers the probability of getting false readings due to ghost voltages to improve the accuracy of readings.
How much should I spend on a quality meter?
You need one that can withstand the wear and tear of work environments while still providing accurate readings. The question is how much should you spend? All meters have different features so be sure to find one with what best suits your needs. Here are some things to consider: durability, accuracy, features, temperature probe, and warranty. When deciding which meter to purchase, make sure it meets your specific needs as well as fits in your budget.
Many people say that $20-$30 is a reasonable price range but I disagree with them. This is the cheapest you can get and it’s not enough for a quality meter. A good price range is $50-$200 because that covers all of the features you want in your digital multimeter.
If you are looking for something more expensive, then look into Fluke multimeters because they’ve been around forever with employees who go through rigorous training to ensure accuracy.
Common problems with using a multimeter
There are many different parts to a multimeter which makes it difficult to understand how each part works on its own or together with other parts of the meter.
The other problem can be that the multimeter is not calibrated to be accurate.
The calibration process takes time and if you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to make mistakes that will lead to inaccurate readings when using your meter.
Don’t use voltages or currents that are outside of the range for which your multimeter was designed because doing so can not only damage the instrument but can also be dangerous to you if not handled properly.
What are some crucial things I need to know before buying a multimeter?
Check if your multimeter has an overload protection feature to prevent it from getting damaged
Many of us have had that moment where you’re in the middle of an electrical job and suddenly your meter overloads. It’s not a good feeling, but there are some multimeters out there with protection features to prevent this from happening. It’s always good to have this feature because the last thing you want is to be in the middle of something and your meter goes off.
The Fluke 115 offers overload protection (for a maximum of 30 seconds) which is a handy feature for electricians who often work on high-voltage lines or other hazardous situations
A common problem with multimeters is they will start giving false readings when there are high frequencies present. This can happen even with analog models so it’s always good to keep that in mind before relying on an older model for measurements.
It’s possible to damage your device by using it incorrectly – make sure you read the instructions before use!
You might not know this, but you can actually damage a multimeter by using it incorrectly. If you’re an electrician who needs to test electrical circuits, make sure you read the instructions before plugging in your meter. Multimeters are sensitive and if used improperly they can be ruined beyond repair.
This is why we like to encourage good safety habits for both yourself and the equipment. To avoid damaging your digital multimeter or an analog one, always turn off the circuit breaker or remove power from that line before testing anything with a multimeter (especially live). You’ll save yourself time and money in the long run!
There are many different parts to a multimeter which makes it difficult for beginners
The best way to understand a multimeter is to break it down into its parts. It has two probes that are used for measuring voltage, current, and resistance. The dials on the front of the meter allow you to adjust the ranges of these measurements for different circumstances.
For example, if you plan on using your meter in DC circuits then make sure that you turn up the voltage range so that you can see how much power is coming from an outlet or battery.
Analog scales use markings like milliamps and volts, while digital ones display numbers ranging from 0-1999 (although some models have more digits).
Troubleshooting tips for common problems with using a multimeter
Many electricians find it hard to troubleshoot with a multimeter. However, with these helpful tips, you will be able to fix any problems that come up when using your meter!
1) Make sure all connections are tight and secure- if there is an issue this could be the culprit. You’ll want to play safe with the dc voltage.
2) Check for loose or broken wires in the connection point between the power supply and probe leads– this can happen often so make sure you are checking thoroughly.
3) Ensure that the probes have not been inserted incorrectly into the socket on your multimeter, as they should only go in one way.
4) If nothing else seems to work, try changing your battery since this may also cause issues with how well it works.
Innova 3340 vs Fluke 115- We often get this question.
Fluke has been around since 1948 and they feature their most iconic meters on the market today. But what about Innova? They’ve been in business since 1982 with over 30 years of experience making electronics testers! So what’s better? The old-timer that’s been around for decades or the upstart who wants to make it big?
The Innova 3340 has features like an inductive rpm clamp that make it geared towards automotive applications. But it has some general features like AC/DC voltage, continuity, resistance, capacitance, and frequency testing and all in one compact design that is going to help electricians in solving generalized problems.
With its speed and accuracy, Fluke 115 will save you time so that you can focus on fixing computers. It’s so much more accurate and has all the features of a top-notch meter. The only downside is that it costs 2-3 times as much as an innovator, but if you do any kind of electronics work, it’s worth every penny!
Conclusion:
This article discussed seven different multimeters which are perfect for electronic technicians at different levels of their skills.
Which multimeter is perfect for you?
If this article has given you a few ideas, then we’ve done our job. It can be difficult to figure out which one would work best for your needs and budget but don’t worry! That was the point of this blog post.
Hopefully, by now, you have an idea about what type of multimeter might suit your individual requirements. Whether it’s testing circuits or measuring the voltage on appliances with low current ratings, these seven different meters should do the trick! What did you decide? We’re always happy to help so feel free to contact us if there are any questions that come up in your research process.