How to use your trashy meter without blowing it up (much)

Your first multimeter can initially seem a bit daunting with all the modes, but the only way to learn is to get one and play with it. I damaged my first meter when I was young by using it on the incorrect range. You can damage these cheap meters, but at the cost you don't have to worry about it too much.

I probably made this video too long and complicated, but it's useful to know how things work as well as how to use them.

The very cheap meters sold for around 5 $/£/€ are usually pretty accurate for their cost and very usable. Once you've mastered using one you can move up to something with more features or more suitable for industrial work. These cheap meters are NOT suitable for poking around in distribution boards or industrial equipment with high fault current.

Meters have a category rating as follows:-
Cat I - electronic use (these cheap meters)
Cat II - electrical appliance, but not fixed wiring or distribution boards
Cat III - general electrical maintenance in panels and machines
Cat IV - utility level work with very high fault currents

For industrial work I recommend Fluke as it appeases the clipboard warriors. There are many other brands suited to industrial use too. Beware cheap meters with fake category ratings.
The Fluke meter in the video is an original American made unit, and was my first ever real industrial meter. It cost a lot, but has lasted well.

I recommend getting these meters from a prominent supplier in your country to ensure they comply with local regulations. The one I demonstrated is from CPC/Farnell and definitely better quality than the eBay imports.

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