Multimeters

I've always used one costing less than a tenner and they've been fine.  When all said and done, accuracy isn't an issue although I've no reason to doubt the accuracy of the ones I've used.  You're going to be looking for both 12v and 240v - and it's either there or it isn't!  The other check is continuity (a blown fuse, loose wire perhaps) and you either have a circuit or you don't.  The only thing I would recommend is getting one with an audible signal for continuity - it's sometimes useful to be able to hear the 'beep' when you're working in some stupid space where perhaps you can't see the meter reading.  Not all of them have that feature, so worth checking. I think this is the last one I bought

 Morning

I have the same on as richard posts above. A £10 is plenty good enough for basic use. I always remove the battery when not in use.

JK

I have had. professional relationship with multimeters for my whole career. Now retired, I can still put my hand onto at least 4 digital and one analogue meter here at home.

For general caravan use, cheap is fine. The advice from both richardandros and JK above is spot on. You need an AC voltage range of at least 500v, and the probes need to be rated at least 750 AC for safety. DC voltage up to 20 or more will be fine for your use. Continuity with a sound signal is good to have, but the measurement of resistance (ohms) can be useful. Probes can be plug in or permanently wired (probably better wired in for casual use).

Cheap meters will have 3 1/2 digits, that is 1999 maximum display. You won't need more (4 1/2 digits or 19999 will be unnecessarily expensive). You might find super cheap at 2 1/2 digits (199), and that will be good enough for your intended use. Accuracy will be good enough with a cheap meter, for your use a reading of 227 v when it is really 230 is not going to lose you sleep, and both could kill you if unexpected.

Some of the cost of expensive meters is being able to auto range, just put the prods on and it will select the best reading automatically. Or not being turned into a brick when checking continuity on live wires.

One thing I would recommend for anyone touching electrics is a mains indicator pen. Not the old transparent screwdriver with a neon inside. Things have moved on. The pens have a small plastic tab at the front which does not need to touch the wire, just be close. If there is mains in the wire, the pen lights up and beeps. No need to have bare wires to test. I use one of these by reflex before doing any work near electrics, and I know of two occasions where doing that check has meant I am still here to type this. (Circuit breakers that didn't). €10 will get me one over here.

 

 

One thing I would recommend for anyone touching electrics is a mains indicator pen. Not the old transparent screwdriver with a neon inside. Things have moved on. The pens have a small plastic tab at the front which does not need to touch the wire, just be close. If there is mains in the wire, the pen lights up and beeps. No need to have bare wires to test. I use one of these by reflex before doing any work near electrics, and I know of two occasions where doing that check has meant I am still here to type this. (Circuit breakers that didn't). €10 will get me one over here.

I still have the one with the neon light in it, didn't know such things existed, thanks for the tip.

peedee

Multi-meters have moved on a little since the days of the AVO8 like those I used at school! 🤣

http://www.richardsradios.co.uk/avo8.html

Thanks, all. Just the sort of help I need, and exactly what this forum is best at.

OOOOO !! All those AVO 8s --  enough to make my credit/debit cards cry themselves to sleep !! The main problem with them is the damage they can receive in the normal course of events and they are extremely delicate items. So as suggested above  settle for a simple cheapo one ~~ easy to replace should an accident happen  and much cheaper than having an " 8" recalibrated if indeed you can find somebody to do it !

If you do get yourselves Meters MultiRange Pulleese do not try to measure the resistance / impedance of the CEGB Substation !!  I can just hear the TING as the needle wraps around the stop ~~ ouch  

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Talking of AVO8 I bought this one made into a lamp at a craft fair

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