Which multi meter to buy?

[A Stuart]

PS
.. take care if reading the colour bands under "low energy" light bulbs, though the newer ones seem to have a rather more continuous spectrum than years ago. I presume I am not the only one who has difficulty.

Alastair

[pre65]

Originally Posted by pre65

I use one of these, I think mine came from Maplins.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnifier-...item2a246b19cf

Search e-bay for "helping hands" to find loads.

An additional benefit is using the magnifier to read resistor colours.

[justin brown]

A change of plan to my holidays.
I went to Maplins this morning and bought some crocodile clips and the helping hand with magnifier. Thanks Philip.

I have checked the resistor values using the electronics 2000 program. 6 out of 8 were identified correctly. However, I have one which I am not sure about, so I thought I'd check here first. The last remaining resistor is a 1K 3w metal oxide film type. It should be in R4. Using the colour code calculator, it should be BROWN, BLACK, BLACK, BROWN, GOLD.
What I have is BROWN, BLACK, BLACK, ORANGE, BROWN.
I am not sure how to identify this value, I assume the value must be near what it should be, and not 'off the scale'?

Also, when using my DMM, setting it to ohms (200 on my mm) - please confirm if this correct?; my 130R shows up as 1.3; whereas the 100R shows up as 0.1. Surely, it should be 1; and not 0.1???

Justin.

[bob orbell]

Brown Black Black Orange Brown is 100,000 1%

[justin brown]

Thanks Bob. Then it fits. Strangely, the program couldn't identify that one.

[justin brown]

Oh dear, I've just noticed that Bob's post is 100K, not the 1K as listed on the spec sheet. Does this matter?

[bob orbell]

Justin if you want 1000 ( 1k ) five band is Brown Black Black Brown four is Brown Black Red

[justin brown]

Ok, so I have a much higher value resistor than is required. I entered in the correct details to the program and, right enough, the colours are correct. So, I have a resistor X 100 higher in value than is listed. I assume I should buy a correct (1K) replacement?

[pre65]

Originally Posted by justin brown

Also, when using my DMM, setting it to ohms (200 on my mm) - please confirm if this correct?; my 130R shows up as 1.3; whereas the 100R shows up as 0.1. Surely, it should be 1; and not 0.1???

Justin.

That sounds sensible to me.

If you measure both resistors in series do you get 1.4 ?

[justin brown]

1.5!