Things To Consider Before Buying A Multimeter
Things To Consider Before Buying A Multimeter
When it comes time to buy a multimeter it can be extremely confusing, especially if you're new to them. You maybe someone who is looking for a multimeter to perform a few tasks around home. In this case you're not going to need one of the top-of-the-line multimeters. We're to show you what things you need to consider before buying a multimeter for your needs.
The first thing you want to consider is the cost. You could pick up a decent multimedia for around $30 online, or your local electronics store. Something in this price range will be great for a beginner or amateur, however, for those who are working at higher voltages you may need to spend a bit more up into the $100 range.
Safety. Every different multimeter has a different safety category rating. Make sure you know the voltages you will be measuring before purchasing your multimeter as you do not want to buy a low quality meter that cannot handle large voltages if that's what you wish to be measuring.
Warranty. If you buy anything that is less than $20 it may not come with a warranty. However, once you start to get above that price range you want to get a multimeter with the least a 12 month warranty. Most multimeters are made in China, this can often mean that they are not the best quality and can break easily – especially if they are used in tough environments like a toolshed. Having a warranty will give you extra peace of mind.
Auto ranging. Most multimeters these days will come with auto ranging. This means that you will not have to change the dial to the maximum value if you are testing voltage for example – the multimeter will work that out for you. This is great if you are new to multimeters and still learning their functionality.
Functions. The final thing that you should consider is the amount of functions that the multimeter can perform. You may not need a multimeter that can test temperature or capacitance, so there is no point paying extra for a multimeter which has a multitude of features if you're not going to be using them.
We hope this guide helps you when you are considering to buy your next multimeter. If you have any further questions please get in contact with us.