Multifunction meters are universal devices that allow you to diagnose electrical installations and various types of equipment, but also to test the quality of air or water. They have various measurement functions and can be used for periodic inspections of home and industrial networks, testing advanced systems, as well as for verifying safety and fire protection . It all depends on which meter model you choose. Read our guide to make the right choice!
From this article you will learn:
- what are multifunction meters used for,
- what to consider when choosing a meter,
- what are the characteristics of good multifunction meters,
- what multifunction meters are worth choosing.
What are multifunction meters used for?
Multimeters , i.e. multifunctional meters, are widely used mainly in electrical works. They can replace even several different measuring instruments, such as:
- resistance meter - which allows you to locate damaged windings and wires in electrical installations or devices such as engines.
- short-circuit loop meter - - allow, among others, measure the resistance or impedance value of the loop.
- earth resistance meter - enable testing of cables for fire/surge protection.
- Soil resistivity meter - - helps determine at what depth the soil has the lowest resistivity.
- RCD switch meter - helps in measuring switches.
A multifunction meter is therefore a useful tool that makes it much easier to check the condition of the electrical installation and plan and perform related work.
Depending on the level of advancement of the multifunction meter, it can be used for:
- regular inspections of home or industrial electrical installations,
- tests of low- and high-voltage electrical installations,
- inspection of single- and multi-phase electrical installations,
- testing IT, TT and NT systems,
- measurements of many industrial, chemical, mining, railway and aviation facilities,
- measurements of medical installations.
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Multifunctional meters - basic equipment for an installer
It is worth noting that multifunction meters come in many different variants, so they are useful not only in the everyday work of electricians. On the market you will also find devices for controlling the air condition, which plays a key role in fire protection. This type of multimeters will answer your questions about the concentration of dangerous gases and other conditions in the facility.
Multifunction meters are the basic equipment of every installer and electrician. If you are looking for the perfect multimeter for yourself, the following paragraphs will tell you what to pay attention to when choosing it.
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Which multifunction meter should I choose?
In order for the selected multimeter to best suit the user's needs, you should pay attention to the following parameters before purchasing it:
Security
The safety of multifunction meters is one of the most frequently underestimated criteria for selecting this type of devices. Electricians and installers marginalize its importance primarily due to the prices of multimeters. There are plenty of budget products on the market, marketed by companies with little reputation. Many users make the mistake of investing in cheap meters, which often use components that do not comply with safety standards.
The price of the product itself may indicate the level of safety of its operation. Before choosing a multi-function meter, make sure that you are not buying a device that will put you at risk of losing your health or even life (in the case of electric multimeters) or of receiving false results that endanger building users (in the case of fire indicators). It's best to invest in equipment from well-known, well-rated brands. In the last part of our guide, we will present you, for example, the range of products from the renowned Polish manufacturer Aisko.
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Resolution and accuracy
The resolution of a multimeter means the smallest change in the input signal that causes a change in the output signal. This parameter is expressed in the number of digits that the device can display. This is the maximum numerical value that has a direct impact on the measurement accuracy. As a general rule, the larger the display range, the higher the precision of almost all measurement functions.
The accuracy of multifunction meters also depends on other factors, such as the internal tolerance of the analog-to-digital converter, noise and rounding errors. This parameter is expressed as +/- of the indicated value, denoting the maximum error limit. The lower it is, the more precise the measurement results.
Measurement functions
The number of measurement functions available will have a significant impact on both the price of the multimeter and its versatility. If, for example, you need a device to perform basic air quality diagnoses, all you need is the ability to measure values such as:
- carbon monoxide (CO) concentration
- carbon dioxide (CO2) level,
- air humidity,
- ambient temperature.
However, if you also want to perform more advanced tests, look into meters with measurement functions:
- dew point temperature,
- melting and evaporation temperatures,
- material humidity,
- temperature difference.
Before you decide to purchase a multimeter, consider which functions you want to use every day and what your expectations are in terms of measurement accuracy for each of them.
Total maintenance costs
When you buy a cheap multimeter, you actually risk higher costs than if you invest in proven, high-quality equipment. How is this possible? The money saved on the investment will often be lost in the event of various types of faults and breakdowns. So before making a purchase decision, verify the following:
- warranty period and the possibility of using post-warranty repairs,
- technical and after-sales support,
- performing device calibration,
- performing adjustments (if errors occur that are greater than those resulting from the technical data).
If you purchase a meter from a second-party manufacturer, you will probably pay extra for all of the above services. If you want to maintain the comfort of using the multimeter and limit unnecessary expenses, use the offer of a reputable brand, such as Aisko.
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Multifunctional meters in the Onninen offer
In the assortment of our online wholesaler you will find portable multifunction meters from Aisko. They are used to directly measure the speed and efficiency of air flow, as well as to control ambient temperature and relative humidity. High-quality components were used in their production process, which translates into high measurement accuracy and, consequently, safety of both installers and building users.
We recommend the most versatile models to your attention:
- Aisko VZ77535 meter - allowing for quick and easy monitoring of indoor air quality; enabling simultaneous measurement of carbon dioxide levels, temperature and humidity.
- Aisko VZ77597 meter - a professional portable device that allows simultaneous measurement of the concentration of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, air humidity, as well as ambient temperature, dew point, melting and evaporation.
- Aisko AZ8917 meter - a universal meter intended for users interested in measuring basic air parameters.
Get one of the selected Aisko meters and guarantee the effectiveness of measurements, which will translate into the comfort and safety of your customers!