[time-nuts] multimeter

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

Here is my wish list for a multimeter:

Update rate:  10 measurements/second
Input impedance:  1 Gigohm or 10/11 meg switchable
Lowest voltage range:  1 mV
Max voltage:  1000V
Open circuit voltage in ohmmeter mode:  <0.1 V
Voltage drop in ammeter mode at full scale current:  50 mV
Accuracy:  0.1% of FS, 4.5 digits
Autoscale time:  250 ms max
Display:  Illuminated LCD with no timeout, at least
1 inch high, wide viewing angle both vertical and horizontal
Can run on USB power to save batteries and allow leaving
it on all the time.
Capacitance:  1 pF resolution

NOT on my wish list, but maybe on yours:  True RMS @ <crest ratio>
I've always been OK with "Fake RMS" (fake news?)
where the meter calculates the average of the absolute
value and multiplies by pi/(2sqrt2) and displays RMS
assuming a sine wave.

Optional:  data logging out for Labview, etc.

When shopping for a meter, consider which of the above
features are important to you.  AFAIK, there is no
ideal or even close to ideal meter.  They are all limited
in capabilities.  You need to decide what you need,
as you probably can't have everything.  I recommend starting
with Fluke (and I say that as a former HP/Agilent employee).
At Agilent I had access to multi thousand dollar meters,
and in many cases preferred a cheap "Tenma" handheld meter
that was in "labstock" for various reasons.

Also, does price matter? :-)

Rick

On 3/23/2019 5:05 AM, Jim Palfreyman wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I think I'm in the market for a new digital multimeter.
> 
> Could I have some recommendations?
> 
> Jim
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