Wasted $150 on a cheap multimeter that gave bad readings

Picked up a no-name multimeter from a hardware store for $150 about 2 months ago. Thought it would be fine for basic checks on fridges and ovens. Turns out the resistance readings were off by 20 ohms on some tests. That led me to misdiagnose a heating element on a dryer as bad when it was fine. Customer ended up waiting an extra week for a part they didn't need. Has anyone else gotten burned by cheap test gear like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_palmer20d ago

Wait but did you actually test the meter against a known good resistor before you started using it on jobs? I mean I get being frustrated about a bad diagnosis but $150 is actually not super cheap for a multimeter and honestly you kind of have to expect that no-name gear might not be totally accurate out of the box. A lot of us just grab a cheap meter and assume it's fine but you really do have to run it through a quick calibration check with a reference resistor or even compare it to a friend's known good meter before you trust it. That is just part of the game with any tool you pick up. I have seen guys spend way more on brand name stuff and still get a dud every now and then.

rubys8020d ago

Honestly that is a really good point and I feel for anyone who got burned like that. It is way too easy to just trust a new tool and it stinks when it lets you down.