New digital multimeters can be connected to your personal computer or mobile phone for easy operation
By Sneha Ambastha
Multimeters have always been widely used to measure the electrical parameters (voltage, current and power) in electronic devices and power supply units. Easy to handle, these meters are available at a very economical price. Multimeters are of two types—analogue and digital—but today, the digital multimeters are more widespread because of their accuracy and ease of use. These are used in R&D and college labs, in the power industry, in households, etc. Today, multimeters have become more user friendly, while offering multiple features and functionalities.
Here, we feature a few of the recently launched products in this segment.
Model: PXIe-4081, Brand: NI, Manufacturer: National Instruments
Launched in April 2016, the PXIe-4081 is a part of the PXIe 408x series of digital multimeters, the prices for which vary as per the configuration and model number, and range from Rs. 100,000 onwards. The PXIe-4081 is used for high-throughput applications as an isolated digitiser. In this mode, it can acquire DC-coupled waveforms in all voltage and current ranges with a maximum sample rate of 1.8 mega sample per second (MS/s). On changing the digitiser sampling rate, engineers can vary the resolution of the digitiser from 10bits to 23bits for the perfect combination of speed and accuracy. It is used as a test and measurement tool for validation tests, characterisation tests, production tests and automated tests in industries ranging from consumer electronics to aerospace and defence.
Key features
- Is capable of voltage measurements from nano-volts to one kilo volt and resistance measurements from micro-ohms to giga-ohms
- Current shunt configuration offers eight DC current ranges from 1µA to 3A and six AC RMS current ranges from 100µA to 3A
- Occupies a single 3U PXI slot and provides excellent channel density for high-channel-count systems
- Delivers 17 DMM channels in a single PXI chassis occupying 4U of rack space
- Offers engineers the flexibility, resolution and isolation needed to tackle challenging applications
Key specifications
- Multimeter type: PXI based modular digital multimeter
- Power: Voltage: 10nV to 1000V. Current: 1pA to 3A
- Weight: 300g (needs an additional PC/PXI system)
- Dimensions: Standard PXIe dimensions of 1 slot
USP: Used as an isolated digitiser for high-throughput applications
Contact details: Ph: +918041190000, [email protected], www.ni.com
Indian branch: NI India Systems Pvt Ltd
Model: MetroQ-Owon B35T, Brand: Owon, Manufacturer: MetroQ
Launched recently, the MetroQ-Owon B35T is a Bluetooth enabled digital multimeter that is economically priced at Rs. 3900. It is capable of measuring about 6000 counts and also has a data logger. It can be connected and operated through multiple mobile devices because of its Bluetooth connectivity. The measured data is always auto recorded and updated on mobile devices, saving labour costs for onsite records. It also has a voice-back feature that allows the measurements to be heard, making the task of taking onsite measurements easier and more comfortable.
Key features
- Multiple connections (more than one device) supported via a mobile app
- Change trend analysis accessible via special chart mode
- Supports voice warning with measurement safety
- Enables smart voice-reading
- Allows 3(5/6) digit full scale reading, achieving higher measurement accuracy than its 3(¾) digit counterparts
- Has a larger display with easy data-reading capability and simulated bar chart
- Has a backlit-powered screen suitable for taking measurements in dark environments
- Has a smart power-off option, which extends battery life
Key Specifications
- Multimeter type: Digital
- Power: 3V (2.5V x 2) battery
- Weight: 0.32kg (without package)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 85mm x 185mm x 30mm
USP: Bluetooth connectivity with mobile app on Android and iOS
Contact details: Ph: +91-11-23868195, 47508195, 23875355, [email protected], www.metroq.in
Model: DMM 81-USB, Brand: Meco, Manufacturer: Meco Meters Pvt Ltd
Launched in February 2016 in Bengaluru, the DMM 81-USB is available at a market price of about Rs. 4212 (inclusive of all taxes) in India. It has a unique USB interface and ‘meterview’ software that helps the user to display graphs, real-time values, digital/analogue indications, etc, on a personal computer (PC). This special feature appeals to customers from various industries such as educational institutes, electronics labs, electronics maintenance, building management, plant automation, solar integration, R&D labs, IT, systems integration and the battery industry.
Key features
- Has an LCD display with about 4000 counts
- Capable of auto/manual ranging
- Comes with more than 45 measuring ranges
- Capable of relative measurements
- Can carry out multiple tests like logic tests, HFE tests, diode tests, etc
- Capable of audible continuity and dynamic recording
- Has an auto power off feature
- Its software supports special features like auto amplitude scale, auto sample scale, data log and a virtual LCD and analogue meter
Key specifications
- Multimeter type: Digital (auto/manual)
- Power: One 9V battery
- Weight: 296 grams including battery (approx.)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 178mm x 88mm x 43mm (approx.)
USP: Has a unique USB interface and ‘meterview’ software
Contact details: Ph: 022 – 27673300, [email protected], www.mecoinst.com
Model: QM-4150, Brand: Qmax, Manufacturer: Qmax Test Equipment Pvt Ltd
Launched in March 2016, the QM-4150 is a USB based true RMS digital multimeter from Qmax, available at a price of Rs. 67,500 (plus applicable taxes). It is a USB Bus powered multimeter with 50,000 counts and does not require any external power supply. Its features make it useful for R&D labs, for premier educational and research institutions and for industrial electronics. The main purpose of this multimeter is to measure accurate electrical parameters like AC/DC voltage/current and resistance.
Key features
- Can be set up quickly due to its plug-and-play capability
- Offers True RMS measurements with 50,000 counts, which is better than four-and-a-half-digit multimeters with only 20,000 counts
- Capable of measuring AC/DC voltage up to 500V, AC/DC current up to 3A and resistance up to
50 mega Ohms - Can be interfaced with any laptop/ desktop with the Windows OS through the USB 2.0 interface
Key Specifications
- Multimeter type: USB based digital multimeter
- Power: USB powered
- Weight: 0.475kg
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 180mm x 110mm x 30mm
USP: USB Bus powered 50,000 count True RMS multimeter
Contact details: Ph: 044 2450 9627, [email protected], www.qmaxtest.com
