Which Multimeter for a heating engineer?

[armyash]

Need to get a multimeter for when I'm doing any wiring on heating systems. Who here does their own wiring and what multimeter do you use?

Looking for something that will do everything I need it to but that is simple to use.

Thanks

 

[dancinplumba]

fluke

 

[villa_tom]

Get a fluke mate. I've got one and its the business. You can get cheaper ones and they are ok, but I like the fluke ones.

Im cleaning out the garage the weekend, I'm sure I've got an old multi meter knocking around somewhere. It's not a fluke, but if I can find it and its in decent nick you can have it to play around on if you want.

 

[villa_tom]

fluke

You had to be first didnt you

 

[armyash]

Get a fluke mate. I've got one and its the business. You can get cheaper ones and they are ok, but I like the fluke ones.

Im cleaning out the garage the weekend, I'm sure I've got an old multi meter knocking around somewhere. It's not a fluke, but if I can find it and its in decent nick you can have it to play around on if you want.

Thanks!

I'll have a look at a fluke too.

 

[dancinplumba]

You had to be first didnt you

I refuse to bite my son

 

[12poi]

Sorry, but this has nothing to do with this thread/post. This is not a reply.

My question is: How do i post a new post? Where is the "button" to be found?

 

[dancinplumba]

Sorry, but this has nothing to do with this thread/post. This is not a reply.

My question is: How do i post a new post? Where is the "button" to be found?

hi think you mean a thread ? go to forum which you want to start thread and click on start new thread button

 

[villa_tom]

Thanks!

I'll have a look at a fluke too.

Sound. Ill have a look in the garage over the weekend. If I find it, it's yours.

 

[villa_tom]

I refuse to bite my son

You will, my friend, you will

 

[armyash]

Is there a guide available anywhere for electrical fault finding on heating systems or a guide to using a multimeter on heating systems?

 

[villa_tom]

Is there a guide available anywhere for electrical fault finding on heating systems or a guide to using a multimeter on heating systems?

Have you got an iPhone? If you have download the Honeywell wiring diagram booklet. If not speak to Honeywell and they will send you a booklet out for free

 

[Subby]

You need a proving unit.

 

[Rob Sale]

Get a fluke if you can afford it. I use a TPI one even has contactless free voltage checker for safety checks on it.

 

[armyash]

Those flukes look very expensive compared with a £30 multimeter from screwfix. What is the difference?

 

[steadyon]

A Fluke is top quality, but not really necessary for wiring up. For that you need to measure volts (AC and DC) and ohms, and a you need a continuity checker (which is usually a low ohms range and most meters have it). Being able to measure current (amps) is rarely needed, but most meters have it. Very easy to blow the meter up on the amps ranges - don't ask how I know! As someone has already said, you should also have a proving unit. This is to check that your meter is correctly detecting the presence of a voltage. If your meter is broken and you check for 230V it might read zero, so using the proving unit before and after the voltage check. I use one of the Maplin range for most jobs and reserve the better meters for those needing more finesse.

 

[Rob Sale]

A Fluke is top quality, but not really necessary for wiring up. For that you need to measure volts (AC and DC) and ohms, and a you need a continuity checker (which is usually a low ohms range and most meters have it). Being able to measure current (amps) is rarely needed, but most meters have it. Very easy to blow the meter up on the amps ranges - don't ask how I know! As someone has already said, you should also have a proving unit. This is to check that your meter is correctly detecting the presence of a voltage. If your meter is broken and you check for 230V it might read zero, so using the proving unit before and after the voltage check. I use one of the Maplin range for most jobs and reserve the better meters for those needing more finesse.

A fluke multimeter has AC and DC settings and ohms, at least ones i have used have. To check for continuity without the buzzer you put it on the ohms scale setting.

 

[Rob Sale]

 

[richardgas]

Is there a guide available anywhere for electrical fault finding on heating systems or a guide to using a multimeter on heating systems?

i have just completed Baxi course, which they do at dartford. its 3 days and about £65 for each day if booked online. i was on the course with experienced engineers and people that were new to the game (like myself). everyone learnt and was impressed with the course

i couldnt praise it enough

 

[Rob Sale]

Construction skills do a good one on combi fualt finding.

 

[richardgas]

Need to get a multimeter for when I'm doing any wiring on heating systems. Who here does their own wiring and what multimeter do you use?

Looking for something that will do everything I need it to but that is simple to use.

Thanks

which ever one you choose, make sure its autorange

 

[Deleted member 25704]

Some good advice so far, but consider if you need a mulitimeter for standard plumbing use. There are other products which may be more suitable for continuity, volt testing and safe isolation procedure - note multi-testers are often not suitable for safe isolation testing because of the need for a self proving function.

Get a device which has a double contact with internal self proving unit - I can't remember the exact specification, but HSE have one that is suitable for safe isolation procedure as well as having functions which are suitable for plumbing/heating technicians.

 

[mutley racers]

Rob, are you talking about a course that construction skills do? Or just a book? If a course, have you been on it and how do you have a link please

 

[buckley plumb]

like any tool mate some would say the most expensive but if you can manage with cheaper ones why not - all plumbers dont have the the most expensive tools.i would buy a cheaper digital multimeter £20 - £30 and when and if you need then upgrade in the future i have a fluke but hardly use it my trusty £30 meter still working good after 6 years.

 

[Rob Sale]

Rob, are you talking about a course that construction skills do? Or just a book? If a course, have you been on it and how do you have a link please

I went on it at Carnegie college in Dunfermiline, fife. Really good course and books are also good which you can buy off their site.

 

[mutley racers]

is that the one that is classed as electric? What price do they go for as I cannot seem to find it on their site.

 

[armyash]

Philex 83002R/S Digital Multimeter with Temp Probe | NoLinkingToThis

would this do me for starters?

 

[Deleted member 25704]

Apolgies if you already have one of these Armyash, but this is the tool that is most fitting to technicians doing boiler work or plumbing electrics.

One of the draw backs of our current training regime is that safe isolation of electrics is just ignored. In order to isolate electrics properly you need a double contact tool, with self proving unit GS 38 approved.

VCT-GS38 Compliant Voltage Indicator - Safety Voltage Tester

A tool like this will save your life. Fluke do one and there are other makes, I just found this as an example.

 

[armyash]

Thanks I will look in to getting one of those.

 

[TBServices]

Ash, make sure you get an auto-ranging multimeter, will def make your life much easier.

I have a ryobi tek4 and rate it highly, tough as nails, auto-ranging, backlit and fairly cheap. I only wish it had a magnetic back so I could stick it to boiler casings instead of struggling to find a place to stand/hook it.

 

[armyash]

What is auto ranging? sorry if thats a dumb question

 

[TBServices]

It means you don't have to set the range/parameters of what you're measuring I.e. ohms/k.ohms

 

[armyash]

I have checked a lot of multimeters out this morning online but not sure what to get. Can anyone recommend me an auto ranging one between £25-£45 and I'll go and get one this morning. I may need one this week so I want to get my head around it a bit before Monday. Thanks

 

[buckley plumb]

this looks ok click on link and you can download the manual worth a look

Philex 83003R/S Digital Multimeter 1000V | NoLinkingToThis#

Philex 83002R/S Digital Multimeter with Temp Probe | NoLinkingToThis

 

[buckley plumb]

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/p47111412.pdf

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/p47111407.pdf

manuals

 

[buckley plumb]

worth getting a voltage pen or screwdriver as well

Philex Electronic 83006R/S AC Voltage Detector Pen Probe | NoLinkingToThis

 

[armyash]

this looks ok click on link and you can download the manual worth a look

Philex 83003R/S Digital Multimeter 1000V | NoLinkingToThis#

Philex 83002R/S Digital Multimeter with Temp Probe | NoLinkingToThis

Thanks I have looked at them are they auto ranging?

 

[buckley plumb]

Thanks I have looked at them are they auto ranging?

not sure look at the manual .

 

[armyash]

Don't think they are, I'll keep looking

 

[buckley plumb]

cant see the point of auto rangeing when you can turn a dial - honestly dont spend more than £40

 

[Subby]

worth getting a voltage pen or screwdriver as well

Philex Electronic 83006R/S AC Voltage Detector Pen Probe | NoLinkingToThis

oh dear

 

[armyash]

cant see the point of auto rangeing when you can turn a dial - honestly dont spend more than £40

That's what I was thinking but with so many recommendations for autoranging I thought that would be best. If I can do the same with either I might go for one of those screwfix ones. Thanks.

 

[buckley plumb]

maplins store would be able to give you advise and show you the basic functions .

 

[buckley plumb]

THE BEST Multimeter tutorial (HD) - YouTube

 

[gav8]

maplins store would be able to give you advise and show you the basic functions .

I very much doubt the staff in Maplins know what day of the week it is, never mind giving useful information about multimeters.

I have a Fluke, only because it was recommended for Part P purposes, mine is autoranging, which is useful because it is quicker to test with and less chnce of blowing the internal fuse if you set the dial too low, more forgiving for user error. I would say buy a cheap five quid one, learn on it, then upgrade to one with functions you might find useful, duty cycle, pulse width, temp probe etc in addition to the normal functions

 

[armyash]

That was very helpful. I haven't had much use with a multimeter, on my part p course we were using the big megger testers. I won't be paying that sort of money to fit boilers or fault find.

 

[gav8]

Meggar do some nice DMMs, this is where i get all my gear from, link below is to a Meggar AR/DMM

Megger AVO310 Digital Multimeter – Megger Digital Multimeters and Test Instruments

Getting them to pay for themselves is quite a task in the Plumbing game though imo (unless you are doing pure fault finding work) If I didn't use mine for electrical work on my cars/van and domestic fault finding (finding the switch live on a ceiling rose/earth continuity, for instance) then i would consider the £170 odd quid i spent on it a complete waste of money

 

[armyash]

Philex 83002R/S Digital Multimeter with Temp Probe | NoLinkingToThis

Just got this one, doesn't feel particularly strong but will do for starters.

Just having a little play with it now hopefully i'll get hands on at work and someone can help me out and teach me a bit more.

 

[Bernie2]

Try getting one with a 200Ma continuity test on it, like the insulation testers usually have. If you get an insulation tester make sure you know how to use them safely. A read of the IEE Wiring regs or PAT testing will virtually tell you what sort of multi meter you require. Although many are probably sufficient for most fault finding on boilers. The fluke is good but dear. And fluke can measure micro amps to check ffd's and flame proving as well as temperature. But I figure if you suspect those devices they are fairly easy and cheap to replace or carry a spare to try than pay out for a fluke. It is said Kane make a model as well just Google HVAC multi meter.

I loved rolling out the multi meter and diving in, but sometime it took hours to sort and often could not find the problem anyway. While my mate was more forward and sometimes just gave the boilers a bang. He usually got more working with a good bang with whatever he had in his hand than I did with all the technical stuff.

 

[AWheating]

Rp4020 Tek4 4V Digital Multimeter With Battery And Charger 4892210110824 5133000314

great for £29 plus pp

You will want to get a GS38 voltage indicator and proving unit for safe isolation and testing wiring. Most multimeters are not great or suitable for isolation, and alot harder to use for simple wiring up stuff.

Fluke do a gs38 tester for about £20, simple but works great. you dont really want to get your expensive, breakable multimeter/meters out for basic wiring stuff. If you need to test earth continuity etc... and issue minor works certs then you will need to get a multifunction tester or simular set.

voltage pens are good for quick checks but should never be used for isolation as they are easily influenced by surrounding environment, if you get one make sure it measure as low as 50v.