cheap and cheerful volitmeter

[Reality Bites]

cheap and cheerful Multimeter

Can you recommend a noob a multimeter.

After having some bathroom work done, i've found the live cable from my heating pump loose. I need to find out where it goes (the switched live from the zone valve) but need a voltimeter.

I would prefer one which is self range sensing.... listed these so far?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/pocket-sized-autoranging-multimeter-626112

http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-multimeter-with-voltage-detector-used-857260 (this has something which detects a cable is live or not....surely they all do that?)

 

[HardwareGeek]

2nd one linked "Includes a non contact voltage detector designed to give an indication if a cable is live" which basically detects the magnetic field from the cable, just hold it against the sheath and it will light up / make a noise if it thinks the cable is live.

This should only be used for an idea and not proof if the cable is actually live or not, tend to be rated for 90v minimum but they give false readings with as little as 12/24v sometimes especially when 2 cables are running together and one is inducing a small voltage in the next cable etc, Also you need to pull the cables apart to get a separate reading as the mag field will extend a few cm's so close cables need separation.

 

[Reality Bites]

2nd one linked "Includes a non contact voltage detector designed to give an indication if a cable is live" which basically detects the magnetic field from the cable, just hold it against the sheath and it will light up / make a noise if it thinks the cable is live.

This should only be used for an idea and not proof if the cable is actually live or not, tend to be rated for 90v minimum but they give false readings with as little as 12/24v sometimes especially when 2 cables are running together and one is inducing a small voltage in the next cable etc, Also you need to pull the cables apart to get a separate reading as the mag field will extend a few cm's so close cables need separation.

So for my need, the first one should be fine? I just need something to tell me when a current is coming though the cables.

 

[HardwareGeek]

So for my need, the first one should be fine? I just need something to tell me when a current is coming though the cables.

I assume you mean you just need to check for voltage, which any multimeter will do + auto raging is helpful as you said.

If you need to measure current then you need to either place the meter inline or use a clamp meter around 1 core of the cable. Guess you don't need to measure current though.

 

[HardwareGeek]

Just been looking at the maplin site, lots to choose from mm wise, just noticed that the leads are hardwired into the first one you linked, not sure on 2nd, so if you ever wanted to fit croc clips rather than probes you cant do it, or if you bend / break a probe you would need to replace the whole meter.

For one off use this should be ok, but for more regular use or just in case spend a few more ££ for a more future proof meter i would say

If you don't want to spend much even this basic old school style one looks ok, maybe you can get croc clip leads for it aswell look like universal fitting sockets, no autoraging tho.

PS, Toolstation do similar cheaper HERE