If you are a newbie electrician, then a digital multimeter should be among the most critical tools in your toolbox. The device is used to measure electrical voltage, thus making it a standard diagnostic tool for any electrician. That said, there are a variety of digital multimeters in the market, which makes it challenging to pick one that suits your needs. Nonetheless, this article highlights tips for choosing the right digital multimeter.
Inspect the Probes
When you shop for a digital multimeter, you must pay attention to the probes because they contact a circuit during testing. Although standard multimeters come equipped with a set of probes, you should scrutinise the probes to make sure that they meet your needs. The reason is that there are different types of probes, and each is great for various applications. For instance, alligator clip probes are excellent for projects that require you to test voltage on large wires or for performing long tests since you don't have to keep holding the probes. If the multimeter you want is missing this type of probe and most of your projects involve large wires, then you need to look for one with alligator clips.
Auto-Range Capability
If you want to stand out from the rest of the electricians, then you need a high-end multimeter. However, the multimeter is not the easiest to operate, especially for beginners. This is especially the case when trying to find the right range. Although you can use the manual, you are better off buying a multimeter with auto-ranging capabilities. This feature comes in handy when you have to take many measurements and don't want to set the range manually. All you have to do is select the AC/DC and let the auto-range feature reset the range automatically every time you take a new measurement.
Clicking Range Selector
As mentioned earlier, beginner electricians should strive to get the high-end digital multimeters with an auto-ranging facility. However, you should only do so if you have the money, but if you are operating on a tight budget, then a multimeter with manual ranging will suffice. That said, the range selector must be equipped with an audible clicking sound. The reason is that it is difficult to know when you have changed the settings without looking at the multimeter. A range selector that produces an audible click whenever you change the settings guarantees that you are working within the desired parameters, thereby preventing inaccurate readings.
