Buying a digital multimeter for home repairs: are cheap multimeters worth it?

The truth is that the evolution of multimeters has been high, since they have gone from being large and impractical products, to becoming versatile and much more precise in the electrical measurements they perform. Let’s see all the necessary information for you to buy the most appropriate for you.

Something that can be considered a common link in all the guides that you find in these parts, is the fact that they advise you to always be clear so that you are going to want the product you are looking at.

This will definitively mark both the use and the device that best suits us, in addition to our budget. From there, we will have much more clear what we can expect from our choice.

In the case that concerns us today, as is evident, it will not be the same that we are professional electricians, since in that case we must have a very reliable and durable equipment, to that we are simple home users, in which case we can settle with non-powerful equipment, investing a little less money.

So that you are clear about which is the best digital multimeter for you, we are going to leave you with all the necessary information so that you can make the best possible decision.

What is a digital multimeter?

We are talking about an instrument that is used to measure electricity. They can be made to measure electrical currents, voltages, and resistances.

They are equipment that can be used to measure voltage, alternating current, direct current or electrical circuits, among other things. The most advanced can work with rotations per minute or microamps. There are even those who can send measurement data via WiFi wherever one wants.

With this type of device we can execute multiple functionssome of them extremely necessary, such as being able to test the battery of our car to know how much capacity it has left or test any electrical device.

The normal thing in a multimeter is that it has a screen where we can see the readings, a button with which to change the different functions Of the devicein addition to the cables to be able to plug into the mains.

There are different categories within digital multimeters such as:

• CAT I: they are used for electronic devices that are not connected to the electrical network of a building.
• CATII: They are the ones used in computers, televisions or any household appliance.
• CATIII: are those used in motors, lighting and even power lines.
• CAT IV: recommended for professionals who do all kinds of electrical work.

Something that we must always take into account is safety when using this type of device, since we are working with electricity and that always carries a risk.

Whenever we are going to carry out any type of action on a powerful electrical circuit, we must not only look at the multimeter category to determine if we can carry out this work, but also take into account that we are protected with overvoltage systems, for example.

TANKOOL CM06Wzone Digital Multimeter

Types of digital multimeters

In addition to being divided into categories, digital multimeters also have different types, depending on what they are capable of.

There are 3 differentiations as they are:

• fluke multimeter: It is the one that is practically always used for the calibration of other devices. One of its main virtues is the ability to provide information of several values ​​at the same time.
• Automatic multimeter: They are the simplest to use, since they provide information without practically having to do anything and automatically. They are the most recommended for novices in the field or people who only need it for uncomplicated jobs, such as some small electrical repair.
• Clamp multimeter: They are the ones that do not use cables, since they come with parts that can measure current. They are capable of providing data on energy consumption, power, voltage or amperage, among other things. It is a type of multimeter clearly aimed at professionals.

KAIWEETS KM100Neotec Multimeter

Is it worth buying a cheap one?

We must be clear about something that we have told you at the beginning of the article, which is what do you want the digital multimeter forsince that is going to mark the answer to this question that many ask themselves when they are going to acquire a product like this.

The truth is that you should always get one that is capable of doing the job you bought it for, since, if not, all you have done is waste money.

You can buy a cheap one, thinking that with the savings you can buy more things and then realize that does not meet your expectations.

It can also be the opposite case and acquire one that exceeds the parameters for which you bought this device and of which you are not going to use a part, leaving the feeling that you have spent more than you should.

Therefore, once we have determined why we want it and based on what we have seen Earlier in this article, we will already be able to know what type of multimeter we should buy.

But what happens if we have two devices that do the same thing, but cost very differently?

If the cost of both is very different, it may be because they do the same thing, but in a different way. That is, there may be variations between them that mark the way to a solution, such as:

• It may be that one of them is dust, water and shock resistantwhile the other has none of that.
• one might be more accurate in measurements than the other.
• The response time until the measured value is stable is the difference between the two.
• The differentiation can come in the Electrical isolation Between both.
• It may be that the Noise level from one to the other is totally different.

If it is the case that one of them makes a difference in these parameters, you already know why it is and which one is the best buy. If there are still no substantial differences, then the cheaper one should be the better option, since, with the same equipment, it is always good to be able to save some money.

With all the information that we have presented to you, you will now be able to buy a digital multimeter that suits everything you need and within your budget. Now you have all the information in your hands.