I now have a small tool allowance....$150....
from the company, and I am thinking of buying my own new meter for the first time in about 30 years

I have no pre-disposition for any particular brand, however the allowance can only be used with a vendor.

my apologies to the ECN webstore.

...I cannot buy something and be re-imbursed...... and any thing over the allowance will be cheerfully deducted from my pay .......all at once

so, the only choices available are
..... in no particular order.....
Greenlee.
Fluke
Ideal,
Amprobe


any one have a preference
i'm open to suggestions

I like my fluke 110 it is right in your range I think.

Go for the Fluke. Awesome meter.

ECN should be a legit vendor, talk to your boss. You'll get a reciept, that should be all they are worried about.

Even if you go over the $150 allotment, save your reciept. Chances are that you can deduct anything over the $150, off your personal taxes at the end of the year. So don't skimp out, get what you need and get something good.

Be aware that some digital meters are slow to measure hundreds of volts AC. Like several seconds. You could see "120" as it works its way to "277". And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know what would happen if you confuse 120V wires with 277V....

Dnk,
I should have been more specific....I can only use the companys' suppliers...which limits me to three houses

Kirby-Risk .......elec
All-Phase,......elec
and Fastenal.....whatever

.......I cannot buy what I want and merely turn the receipt in.....

togol, get them to set up an account at ECN then.

I'm sure Bill wouldn't mind.

Togol, it's hard to suggest, not knowing what you already have access to. If you already have a clamp-on ammeter, that Fluke 110 looks like a good choice. But if you don't have a clamp-on, consider one that also comes with test leads for other DMM functions. The 110 max is 10A AC or DC. I take a Fluke 187 into the field but I can always bum an Amprobe if I need one.
Joe

Get a Fluke.

They are very reliable good quality meters.

As we used to say after a coworker went to work in the engineering department at Fluke, "If it works, it's a Fluke."

I don't want to take anything else I own in there,
plus the shop has enough of the usual things,....calibrators, AC/DC ammeters, probes, a few 87 III ,

the only Fluke stuff I own are a 725,


and several tic tracers .

I just never needed a personal DMM,
but since the company is being soooo generous
I think I will get the 112, since it also has a backlight, and I will keep it away from the other gorillas...

I think Ideal is on to something, with back-lit displays.

Otherwise, you HVAC supplier should carry Fieldpiece, which has an interesting approach. I have a Fieldpiece, and much prefer it to my Fluke.

those are some weird lookin rigs reno...
I have never seen those....at least I don't recall .

how long have you used yours ?

I also found another mfr. called Protek



[This message has been edited by togol (edited 09-09-2006).]

well I ordered the Fluke 112...or I at least tried to,

I was on the horn with the guy talkin about other things ........ besides my little meter. took care of that business but before I hung up he askd me to stop by his store on the way home.

well anyway, he had figured out how to get me a 179 for about $34 more than the 112 and it will be in my hot little hands on Thursday A.M.

great guy, who went out of his way, and I thought I would mention it

..his name is Jay and he manages the LaPorte branch for ......Fastenal

....go figure huh?

thanks to everyone for their time, ideas and suggestions

I have used the type for four years. The first one walked away two years ago, and the replacement is going strong.

My first one actually said "Ideal" on it. Most, if not all, Ideal meters are made by Fieldpiece.

A few of the things I like about the Fieldpiece design:
- The basic DMM fits in the pliers pocket of your jeans;
- The built in thermocouple jack is useful for cycling heaters (to test relays, etc controlling them); and,
- The models with Hz read-out are useful when working on VFD's.

Not to mention, the ability to "snap on" heads for different functions can be useful!

I am looking into purchasing a Fluke T5 meter. Has anyone had any experience with this meter? I like the fact that it has open jaws and can fit in my pouch/pocket. (Volts/Continuity/Current)
http://ca.fluke.com/caen/products/Fluke++T5.htm?catalog_name=FlukeCanada

Guys in the chatroom spoke very highly of it.

I saw the Fieldpiece site, did not find $ listed ...but the nearest dealer was in S. Indiana.

I liked the add-ons , so maybe I 'll contact the dealer and and find out some more info

canuck,
I've used a T5 tester for the last 6 or so years and I can't really fault the thing.
I bought it because of the current jaws, which to a degree are easier to get ito tight spaces inside panels and the like.
The 1000 ohm resistance range is a tad limiting, but as a meter for quick checks (ball-park readings), it's pretty handy.
It's quite well built too, (it would have to be, if I own it) it's been dropped from some good hieghts and still works fine and there are no cracks in the plastic case on it.
I bought the holster for it and it is attached to the belt on my tool-pouch.
I'd say get one.