Multimeters
The multimeter is the most important electronic test instrument. Even if you have only a passing interest to electronics you should consider buying a cheap one because it has many uses in the home, on the job and when working with appliances or motor vehicles. But if you're serious about electronics, consider buying a quality, high-impedance, high accuracy multimeter. Ideally you should own both a digital and analog multimeter.
Analog multimeters are less expensive, somewhat less precise than digital types. They are best by far for observing the trend of a slowly changing voltage, resistance or current.
Digital multimeters are generally more accurate and easier to read than their analog counterparts. They are best for finding out the precise value of a voltage, current or resistance. A DMM may be a little more robust if you accidentally put it on an incorrect scale. They also may have more functions like capacitance meter, temperature sensor or frequency meter.
Accuracy is not critical for hobby electronics or consumer appliance repair but reliability is important. A pair of good quality, robust and well insulated set of test leads is essential. Cheap multimeters may come with too thin or flimsy leads; replace them with quality ones to avoid electrocution. If you want to be around long enough to enjoy experimenting with electronics, always treat electricity with the respect it deserves!
The following table lists the DC and AC voltage, current, resistance and frequency ranges you can measure with the most popular digital multimeters on the market:
| Model | Counts | DC V | AC V | DC A | AC A | Resist. | Capac. | Freq. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M830B DT830B | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1V - 750V | 0.1µA - 10A | - | 0.1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| M832 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1V - 700V | 1µA - 10A | - | 0.1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| M838 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1V - 700V | 1µA - 10A | - | 0.1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| M890D | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1µA - 20A | 10µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | - |
| M890F | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1µA - 20A | 10µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | 20kHz |
| M890C+ | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1µA - 20A | 10µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | - |
| M890G DT-830G | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1µA - 20A | 10µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 20MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | 20kHz |
| M9502 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 0.1µA - 20A | 0.1µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | - |
| M93 | 2000 | 1mV - 400V | 0.1V - 400V | 0.1mA - 200mA | - | 1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| M93A | 2000 | 1mV - 400V | 0.1V - 400V | - | - | 1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| Innova 3320 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 600V | 1mV - 600V | 10µA - 10A | 10µA - 100mA | 0.1Ω - 20MΩ | - | - |
| M300 | 2000 | 1mV - 500V | 0.1V - 500V | 0.1mA - 200mA | - | 1Ω - 2MΩ | - | - |
| M320 | 4000 | 1mV - 600V | 1mV - 600V | 10µA - 400mA | 10µA - 400mA | 0.1Ω - 40MΩ | - | - |
| M3211D | 2000 | 0.1mV - 500V | 1mV - 500V | 0.1mA - 200mA | 0.1mA - 200mA | 0.1Ω - 20MΩ | - | - |
| M3900 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 10µA - 20A | 10µA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 20MΩ | - | - |
| Fluke 87-5 | 20000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1µA - 10A | 0.1µA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 50MΩ | 10pF - 10mF | 200kHz |
| Fluke 114 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 600V | 0.1mV - 600V | - | - | 0.1Ω - 40MΩ | - | - |
| Fluke 115 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 600V | 0.1mV - 600V | 1mA - 10A | 1mA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 40MΩ | 1nF - 10mF | 50kHz |
| Fluke 117 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 600V | 0.1mV - 600V | 1mA - 10A | 1mA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 40MΩ | 1nF - 10mF | 50kHz |
| Fluke 175 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 1000V | 10µA - 10A | 10µA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 50MΩ | 1nF - 10mF | 100kHz |
| Fluke 177 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 1000V | 10µA - 10A | 10µA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 50MΩ | 1nF - 10mF | 100kHz |
| Fluke 179 | 6000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 1000V | 10µA - 10A | 10µA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 50MΩ | 1nF - 10mF | 100kHz |
| Fluke 787 | 30000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 1000V | 1µA - 1A | 1mA - 1A | 0.1Ω - 40MΩ | - | 20kHz |
| MY-61 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1mA - 20A | 1mA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | - |
| MY-62 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1mA - 20A | 1mA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | - |
| MY-63 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1mA - 20A | 1mA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | 20kHz |
| MY-64 | 2000 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 1mA - 20A | 1mA - 20A | 0.1Ω - 200MΩ | 1pF - 20µF | 20kHz |
| MY-65 | 20000 | 0.01mV - 1000V | 0.1mV - 700V | 0.1mA - 10A | 0.1mA - 10A | 0,01Ω - 200MΩ | 0.1pF - 20µF | 20kHz |
| MY-68 | 3260 | 0.1mV - 1000V | 1mV - 700V | 0.1mA - 10A | 0.1mA - 10A | 0.1Ω - 32.6MΩ | 100pF - 32.6µF | 200kHz |