CHAPTER 4 ■ DIGITAL MULTIMETERFigure 4-17. Moderately-priced digital multimeter
There are some features that I’d miss if I had only this multimeter: continuity test with buzzer,
capacitance, frequency, duty cycle, autoranging, auto power off, rubber boot, and built-in stand.
In person, I discovered this meter has a very cheap plastic case, the probes don’t fit tightly in the
sockets, the battery snaps are soldered to the PCB (removing/adding the battery can break the meter), and
the 200 mA fuse is soldered to the board (significant work to replace when you eventually accidently test
more than 200 mA). Yet, this is perfectly fine as a disposable meter or for students who plan to take only one
electrical engineering course. You’ll understand why I’m so forgiving when you read how little this digital
multimeter costs.
Understanding the Features of a Mid-Range Multimeter
The VC97 Auto Range digital multimeter (see Figure 4-17) has all the features and more of the previously
described multimeter.