On 7/25/2018 7:57 AM, rangerssuck wrote:
I need a new meter for my toolbox - I've done some looking and I
haven't yet found something that fits everything on my wish list and I'm
wondering whether you guys have any suggestions. Here's some of what I'm
looking for (in no particular order):

PHYSICALLY RUGGED
TRUE RMS
SELECTABLE LOW IMPEDANCE (hides "ghost" voltages)
CLAMP FOR CURRENT
LEADS FOR CURRENT (all the clamp meters I've seen lack regular
current measuring capabilities. This is a problem when servicing 4-20 ma
circuits and the like.
FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT for VFDs

All that and just a generally good meter for field service.

Thanks.



My favorite general purpose meter was a Radio Shack with a serial port
for logging data samples over time. It worked exceptionally well at
proving inconsistent power supply issues from the mains. It wasn't bad
for general trouble shooting either. It didn't do everything you want,
but I'm not sure I ever had a meter that did. The most sensitive meter
I ever used was an analog Triplets I was issued when I worked for
Arizona telephone. Once I got a feel for it I could guess distance to
fault almost as accurately as the call box in the central office. That
is on an 18 mile span it would get me within a mile on the first guess
usually. Then split the line and go from there.

I don't think I have a good meter anymore. Just a bunch of cheap ones
all over the shop and one in each of my vehicles. I have a separate
Amprobe I use for clip on applications.