Tag: voltlog

Voltlog #162 – Pocket Multimeter 1KV Testing and CAT Ratings

Welcome to a new voltlog, today we’re going to test a range of pocket multimeters by applying transient voltages to their inputs and we’re also going to talk a bit about CAT ratings and what they mean.

CAT ratings is something we often see marked on measurement tools and they refer to the measurement category, a method of classification published by IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission). Different types of circuits will require a different measurement category based on the total energy available in that circuit. For example:

  • CAT I: is for measurements performed on secondary circuits not directly connected to mains.
  • CAT II: is for measurements performed on local electrical distribution, such as that provided by a standard wall outlet 110VAC in the US or 240VAC in the EU.
  • CAT III: is for measurements performed on hard wired building installation, for example distribution boards, circuit-breakers, bus-bars, junction boxes and industrial equipment.
  • CAT IV: is for measurements performed on the source of the low voltage installation, like the power input to your home, your electricity meter or the primary overcurrent protection device.

As you can see a higher CAT number refers to a circuit with higher available power and higher potential energy transients. Within each of these categories we have voltage ratings and a higher voltage rating means the ability to withstand a higher transient.

Welectron.com which is an authorized Brymen distributor, loaned me the BM887 Insulation Multimeter to perform some testing on the pocket meters.  I will be using this meter to apply 1KV to the pocket meters and see how they survive. The BM887 is made for measuring insulation resistance in industrial machines, certainly not for testing multimeter input protection but we can think of it as an abnormal voltage spike that might come rushing through a circuit you are measuring.

 

Voltlog #152 – Fake Aneng AN101?

So back when I was preparing for that video, I ordered an Aneng AN101 from aliexpress, I think I took the cheapest seller out of the ones that were available and when I got the meter I realised it doesn’t have the Aneng branding right here on the upper side of the LCD.

Here are links to where you can buy this pocket multimeter:

Voltlog #150 – Quick Update

Welcome to a new voltlog, in this video I’m gonna give you guys a few updates on what’s going on. So I’ve been working on the bigclown review, I’ve built my project which is collecting data and I am visualizing the data with Grafana which is very nice but I’m gonna wait a few more days before I collect more data and then I’m going to release my review of the bigclown kit.

Voltlog #140 – ISDT Q6 Plus Lipo Charger Repair

Welcome to a new Voltlog, this will be a repair video, because my ISDT Q6 Plus battery charger has failed. If you remember Voltlog #109 I did a review of this charger and I’ve been using it quite often since I got it, with no issues whatsoever, until a few days ago, I think I was just storage charging some batteries, I did 2 batteries and when it was time for the 3rd battery to go on it would not start anymore, it was saying, “current operation is not supported”.

Get the ISDT Q6 Plus here:

Voltlog #139 – Aneng AN8009 Multimeter Review

In Voltlog #114 I reviewed the Aneng 8008 and I said it’s probably the best $25 multimeter that you can buy. Today we are taking a look at the Aneng AN8009 which is a newer model from Aneng. 

In the end I would say this new AN8009 model is just as good as the AN8008 and they are both great beginner multimeters but they can also be good for the more advanced user who better understands their limitations.

My recommendation is to take a look at the differences between the two and choose based on your needs: ask yourself, do I need temperature measurements? Do I need the extra resistance range? Or do I need the square wave output. Better yet, and this is what I would do, I would get both models to have all of those functions when needed. Also it’s good to have two multimeters because you can measure both voltage and current at the same time.

Here are some links where you can get the Aneng 8009:

Voltlog #120 – Mini DC Power Supply Review

So I guess a gadget like this is worth 10$ because you could replace that linear breadboard power supply with a more efficient one, which will give you voltage and current display as well as adjustable output.

Here are some images I took during the teardown of the mini power supply:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkout this power supply from the links below:

60W Electronic Dummy Load Battery Tester:

Voltlog #119 – NEW 150W Dummy Load Review

Today we are taking a look at yet another electronic load. I found this one on Aliexpress, I think it’s a rather new model so let’s see what it can do.

Here are links to the 150W and the 180W version of this dummy load: