Sparks Electrical News May 2016

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS, SWITCHES, SOCKETS AND PROTECTION

15

HOW TO CHOOSE A DIGITAL MULTIMETER

M ultimeters have been described as mod- ern-day tape measures but what exactly is a digital multimeter (DMM) and what can you do with it? How do you make measure- ments safely? What features do you need? What is the easiest way to get the most out of your meter? Which meter is best suited to the environment you’re working in? Technology is rapidly changing our world. Elec- trical and electronic circuitry seems to permeate everything, and continues to get more complex and smaller in size. The communication industry booms with cell phones and pagers, and Inter- net connections have put more pressure on the electronics technician. Servicing, repairing, and installing this complex equipment in these envi- ronments requires diagnostic tools that provide accurate information. A DMM is simply an electronic tape meas- ure for making electrical measurements. It may have any number of special features, but mainly a DMM measures volts, ohms, and amperes. DMMs measure faster, more efficiently and with greater accuracy, almost any job in any industry. The three watch words when selecting your DMM are ‘safety’, ‘quality’, and ‘performance’. Fluke models include handheld trouble-shoot- ers to ultra-smart instruments packed with fea- tures, including the ability to log and graph data, as well as high-precision bench units. Choosing your DMM Choosing a DMM for the job requires not only look- ing at basic specifications, but also looking at fea-

DMMs with different combinations of features like Touch Hold Auto Hold analogue bar graphs, and en- hanced resolution. Accessories for high current and temperature measurements are available to extend the capabilities of DMMs. The range comprises: • 280 Series DMMs – for advanced diagnostic and logging functionality for maximising productivity. • 233 Remote display multimeter – for ultimate flexibility with removable display. • 80 Series V DMMs – performance and accuracy

for maximum industrial productivity. • 170 Series DMMs – versatile meters for field ser- vice or bench repair. • 110 Series DMMs – compact design for ergo- nomic one-handed operation. • 27II/28II rugged industrial meters – designed to survive water, dust and rough handling trouble- shooting most electrical problems. • 88 V automotive meter – for auto-electric diag- nosis.

tures, functions, and the overall value represented by a meter’s design and the care taken in its production, reliability and robustness. Reliability, especially under tough conditions, is more important than ever today. Fluke DMMs undergo a rigorous testing and evalua- tion program. User safety is a primary consideration in the design of Fluke’s DMMs, providing adequate component spacing, double insulation and input protection helps prevent injury and meter damage when they are used improperly. Fluke designs its DMMs to the latest, most demanding safety stand- ards, with your safety in mind. Fluke offers many

Enquiries: +27 10 595 1821

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Hydraulic crimper for demanding jobs

SIBA FUSES SA PTY. LTD. P.O. Box 34261 · Jeppestown 2043 Tel. (011) 334-6560 / 4 · Fax (011) 334-7140 e-mail: sibafuses@universe.co.za

When you decide that it’s time to buy the decent heavy-duty crimper you’ve been promising yourself for years, an excellent choice would be the hydraulic crimper from Rennsteig, a subsidiary of KNIPEX. This quality German-made two-hand tool crimps copper and aluminium conductors with cross-sections from 10 to 400 mm2. The crimper is 600 mm long and boasts a 180° rotating head; and its 80 KN crimp force makes it the ideal tool for electricians – even for the most demanding crimp jobs. A comprehensive range of

crimp dies is also available. Enquiries: +27 11 396 4065

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2016