Multi-meters and their use, ranges etc.

[ericmark]

My loop impedance, and RCD tester was taken by my son when his failed, so asked my wife (who has Temu account) for the HT5910 Resistance Meter Leakage Switch Tester 4.7inch LCD Digital RCD/Loop Tester 1000 Data Storage Voltmeter Electrician Tester. Which at around £70 is about the cheapest one can get.

But she got me the pen type multi-meter A3005 which was not really required, as already have a clamp-on UT210E so the only function the new had which old did not is 'firewire' seems odd name, I thought it was a data transfer thing for video camera, but it seems it means line?

The instructions are poor, and had to scan them to make large enough to read, it seems on switch on I get 'AUTO' but by pressing the N/L button I can scroll through EF (NCV), LIVE (firewire detect) and back to auto. There is also a Hold/Touch button.

The standard voltage, resistance is clear enough, every multi-meter has these, and I already have a meter with NCV (non contact volts) so have used that before many times, same idea as volt stick, but shown as 4 levels, with one - to four ---- to show how strong. Pen meter can't clearly measure amps. The UT210E does that at a 0.001 amp resolution AC and DC so don't need it.

So it was the 'firewire' which was of interest, and it seems it should work like a neon screwdriver. The line should show ---H and the neutral LIVE which seems back to front, however on testing earth showed at LIVE and both line and neutral showed as ---H.

Neutral to earth shows 3.2 volt approx with other meter. Has anyone else had this 'firewire' feature on their meter, and did it work?

[Neelix]

Throw in bin and buy something decent from a uk vendor

[Someone-Else]

[Bob225]

I would not be playing mains voltage with something that cheap, there's a reason equipment is tested and certified by an outside lab

the Chinese just slap names on things, names get lost in translation or it's called FireWire as it burst into flames

there are plenty of Megger, Fluke and Kewtech meters on the used market

[Someone-Else]

I would not be playing mains voltage with something that cheap, there's a reason equipment is tested and certified by an outside lab

the Chinese just slap names on things, names get lost in translation or it's called FireWire as it burst into flames

there are plenty of Megger, Fluke and Kewtech meters on the used market

[ericmark]

there are plenty of Megger, Fluke and Kewtech meters

And you think they are not made in China? Most the big names still buy their stuff from China, so makes no never mind.

I will guess made for USA were they use words like 'HOT' instead of 'Line' and both Line and Neutral are both Lives. The point is the Firewire is showing neutral as hot so seems a bit useless.

[Bob225]

They maybe made in China but built to a much higher standard and with a lot more R&D, if they're selling a meter for £6 you know it cost £1 or less, and you aren't going to get quality components let alone any sort of conformity