My 5-in-1 digital multimeter

A while ago I promised to shed some light on the test equipment I use. Some of it is complex (DSO, spectrum analyzer), some of it basic, like the multimeter described below. This one actually isn’t really basic at all, it has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. I used this sturdy little thing to measure lux when installing LED lighting, heat sink temperatures, audio frequencies, sound levels, and much more. Accuracy? No complaints whatsoever.

The price is around $50 when you include shipping. Hard to beat. You can find these on eBay. Factory specs below (copy & paste stuff):

This 5-in-1 Digital Multimeter is capable to measure direct- and alternate voltage, direct- and alternate current, capacitance, frequency, diode- and continuity test, duty cycle, temperature (°C), humidity (RH), illuminance (LUX) and sound level (dB). It has 14 functions and 39 measuring ranges that incorporates 5 devices — multimeter, sound Level meter, luxmeter, thermometer and hygrometer. Moreover, this multimeter received an iF product design award in Hannover with its cutting-edge design and outstanding functionality.

Features like Data Hold, Over range protection, Backlight LCD display and Auto Power Off have been added to this meter’s functionality making it ideal tool in schools, laboratories, industries and even in home applications.

 Features

• All in Meter: Multimeter, Sound Level Meter, Luxmeter, Thermometer and Hygrometer
• Performs DC & AC Current and Voltage, Resistance, Diode and Continuity Test, Capacitance and Frequency Measurements
• Measures Sound Level (dB), Illuminance (Lux), Temperature (°C) and Relative Humidity (RH)
• 14 functions with 39 auto and manual ranges
• Over range protection for all ranges
• Large LCD display with backlight
• Data hold, low power indication, auto power off
• Double Insulation

 Electrical Specifications

DC Voltage

Range	Resolution	Accuracy	Overload Protection
400 mV	0.1 mV	±(0.7% of reading + 2 digits)	250V DC or 250V rms AC
4 V	1 mV		600V DC or 600V rms AC
40 V	10 mV
400 V	100 mV
600 V	1 V	±(1.0% of reading + 2 digits)

Input Impedance:  10MΩ/V
Maximum input voltage: 600V DC or 600V RMS AC

AC Voltage

Range	Resolution	Accuracy	Overload Protection
4 V	1 mV	±(0.8% of reading + 3 digits)	600V DC or 600V rms AC
40 V	10 mV
400 V	100 mV
600 V	1 V	±(1.5% of reading + 5 digits)

Input Impedance:  10 MΩ/V
Maximum input voltage: 600V DC or 600V RMS AC

 DC Current

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
40 mA	10 µA	±(1.2% of reading + 3 digits)
400 mA	100 µA
10 A	10 mA	±(2.0% of reading + 10 digits)

Maximum Input Current: mA Jack: 400mA
**************************** 10A Jack: 10A

  AC Current

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
40 mA	10 µA	±(1.5% of reading + 5 digits)
400 mA	100 µA
10 A	10 mA	±(3.0% of reading + 10 digit

Maximum Input Current: mA Jack: 400mA, 
**************************** 10A Jack: 10A

Frequency (10 Hz ~ 1 MHz)

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
9.999 Hz	0.001 Hz	±(2.0% of reading + 5 digits)
99.99 Hz	0.01 Hz	±(1.5% of reading + 5 digits)
999.9 Hz	0.1 Hz
9.999 kHz	1 Hz
99.99 kHz	10 Hz	±(2.0% of reading + 5 digits)
199.99 kHz	100 Hz
> 200 kHz		Take it only as reference

– By Hz Range:
****Measurement Range: 0 ~ 200kHz
****Input Voltage Range: 0.5V – 10V rms AC (Input voltage must be enlarged
**** **** **** **** with increasing frequency under measurement)
****Overload Protection: 250V DC or rms AC
– By V Range:
****Measurement Range: 0 ~ 40kHz
****Input Voltage Range: 0.5V – 600V rms AC (Input voltage must be enlarged
**** **** **** ****with increasing frequency under measurement)
****Input Impedance: 10MΩ
****Max. Input Voltage: 600V DC or rms AC
– By mA Range:
****Measurement Range: 0 ~ 40kHz
****Input Current Range: 100mA – 400mA rms AC (Input
****Current must be enlarged with increasing frequency under measurement)
****Max. Input Current: 400mA DC or rms AC
****Overload Protection: F 500mA/250V fuse (quick acting).

Resistance

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
400Ω	0.1 Ω	±(1.2% of reading + 2 digits)
4 kΩ	1 Ω
40 kΩ	10 Ω
400 kV	100 O
4 MΩ	1 kΩ
40 MΩ	10 kΩ	±(2.0% of reading + 5 digits)

Open Circuit Voltage: 0.25V
Overload Protection: 250V DC or RMS AC

Diode Test

Range	Resolution	Function
Diode	1 mV	Display: read approximate forward voltage of diode

Forward DC current approximate 1 mA
Reversed DC Voltage approximate 1.5V
Overload protection: 250V DC or rms AC

 Continuity Check (Manual and Auto-Scan Mode)

Range	Resolution	Test Condition
600 Ω	0.1 Ω	open circuit voltage: approx 0.5V

The buzzer will sound if resistance is lower than 40Ω

Temperature

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
-20 ~ 0°C	0.1°C	±(5.0% of reading + 3°C)
0 ~ 20°C		±(3.0% of reading + 3°C)
20 ~ 400°C		±(2.0% of reading + 3°C)
-20 ~ 0°C	1°C	±(5.0% of reading + 5 digits)
0 ~ 400°C		±(1.0% of reading + 3 digits)
400 ~ 1000°C		±(2.0% of reading + 3 digits)

Overload Protection: F 500mA / 250V fuse (quick acting)

Capacitance

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
4 nF	1 pF	±(3.0% of reading + 3 digits)
40 nF	10 pF
400 nF	0.1 nF
4 µF	1 nF
40 µF	10 nF
200 µF	100 nF	±(8.0% of reading + 10 digits)

Overload Protection: 250V DC or rms AC

Duty Cycle

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
0.1 ~ 99.9%	0.1%	±3.0%

 

Relative Humidity (RH)

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
30 ~ 90%	0.1%	±5.0% RH

Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 40°C
Responding Time: 45% R.H. → 90% R.H. = 10 minutes
************* ********90% R.H. → 45% R.H. = 15 minutes

 

Sound Level (dB)

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
35 ~ 100 dB	0.1 dB	±3.5 dB at 94 dB, 1 kHz sine wave

Typical Instrument Frequency Range: 100 ~ 10000 Hz

Illuminance (Lux)

Range	Resolution	Accuracy
Lux (4000)	1 Lux	(5.0 % of reading + 10 digits) at color temperature 2850K calibrated to standard incandescent lamp at color temperature 2856K
x 10 Lux x (40000)	10 Lux

– Repeatability : ±2%

• Auto and manual range
• 14 functions with 39 ranges
• Maximum shown value: 3999 counts max
• Over range protection for all ranges
• Maximum Voltage between Terminals and Earth Ground: 600V DC or rms AC
• Operating Altitude: 2000 Meters (7000 feet) maximum
• Polarity indication: “-” indicates negative polarity
• Over range indication: Display ‘0L’ or ‘-0L’
• Sample Time: approximately 0.4 second
• Unit showing: showing of function and electrical capacity
• Auto power off time: 15 minutes
• Fuse Protection: F 500mA / 250V (quick acting)
• Low battery indication
• Temperature Factor: < 0.1 x Accuracy / °C
• Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 40°C (32 ~ 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -10 ~ 50°C (14 ~ 122°F)
• Power Supply: 9 V PP3 Battery (included)
• Dimension: approx. 178 x 85 x 40mm (L x W x H)
• Weight: approx. 320g (batteries included)
  

Set Includes

• 1 x 5-in-1 Multimeter
• 1 Test Leads set
• 1 x K-Type Thermocouple
• 1 x 9V PP3 Battery
• 1 x Instruction Manual
• Standard Factory Package