Help with a Multi Meter

toll_collector

Hi All,

I need to buy a multimeter to test a new light switch I've just fitted in the kitchen. However the prices seem to vary hugely from £19 to several hundred. Can I just get away with a basic one?

Thanks in advance

1984ReturnsForReal_2

What do you want to test?

Anything worth while is done at the fuse board & with a machine that cost £300 + second hand.....

iamcornholio

Of course a basic one will do. Have a look on Amazon where cheap ones are between £2.99 and £10

diable

Was the light working before you replaced the switch?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

iamcornholio wrote: »

Of course a basic one will do. Have a look on Amazon where cheap ones are between £2.99 and £10

Do cheap ones put 500v through?

iamcornholio

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Do cheap ones put 500v through?

Does the OP need that to check a switch though?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

iamcornholio wrote: »

Does the OP need that to check a switch though?

Yes.

Does a cheap one put 500v through it?

diable

If you just want to test the switch to see if the contacts make or break you can just connect it to your doorbell, disconnect the switch from the mains first though...........

zax47

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Do cheap ones put 500v through?

Why does he necessarily have to do an Insulation Resistance test though, he's probably wanting to check he has continuity to the fitting, working out if he has the correct pair for the switch wire and that the switch does indeed switch. Nothing there that he needs an MFT (multi-function tester) for (at £300-£1000) and everything that a basic multimeter (at <£10) will suffice for.

I have both (along with many other bits of test gear) and use them daily. One is good for some things, the other for specific tests (continuity, IR testing, RCD trip testing). For PIRs and new install work then the MFT comes out of the van at testing time, if I'm just trouble shooting and buzzing stuff out then the multimeter will do.

It's "horses for courses" and you're are talking out of the rear of one! (IMO)

vaio

99% of my fault finding is done with a fluke which doesn't put out anywhere near 500V (think it's less than 9V), it will tell me whether 240V is there or if a switch is closed or open.

If the OP has to ask then I'd say that the few problems that only show up with 500 or 1000V would be out of his range anyway

Grade_A_Reject

diable wrote: »

If you just want to test the switch to see if the contacts make or break you can just connect it to your doorbell, disconnect the switch from the mains first though...........

Try licking the contacts.

....no sorry that's 9v batteries I'm thinking of. :eek: