After I Buy Amprobe AM-530 TRMS Electrical Contractor Multimeter with Non-Contact Voltage Detector and TemperatureStrengths:
* All the features you would ever need for general electrical/electronic work
* Very professional appearance and almost perfect build quality
* Large and uncluttered LCD display with manual backlight
* Built-in LED flashlight
Weaknesses:
* Auto-Ranging measurements were slower than expected
* The VoltSense feature doesn't work
* Narrow vertical LCD viewing angle under indoor lighting
* Fold-out meter stand isn't very rugged
Full review:
The overall appearance, build quality, and features of the AM-530 are excellent for a full size multi-meter in the $60-$80 price range. The meter enclosure is very solid with no gaps in any front, side, or back seams. I can twist the case, squeeze it, and bang it around without causing strange bends, pops, or cracks. This meter will hold up well in the tool box and it looks very professional. The AM-530 is light enough at 13.5oz to be carried on the belt or held for extended periods of time. The sides of the meter are rubberized and provide a textured hand grip that makes it easy and comfortable to hold when taking measurements indoors or out. The rubber coating picks up grease and dirt from your hands a little but is easily cleaned with a damp cloth. The case includes two probe clips integral to the back cover that grip the probes firmly with no slipping. There is also a fold-out meter stand for propping the meter up on the workbench. I was a disappointed with the fold-out meter stand. It's very thin and the hinge is not very strong so I suspect it will not last under regular use. The stand is part of the battery cover and if it's missing, changing the battery may be a little harder. The battery cover is removed with a single screw that does not have a retaining clip so be careful you don't lose the screw when changing the battery.
The LCD display on the AM-530 is very crisp. All the function indicators have plenty of space and are arranged logically on the LCD. The 4-Digit numeric display is large with nicely spaced digits and thin segments that make numbers look sharp and professional. An analog bar graph is provided along the bottom of the display to make amplitude varying signals easier to observe. The digit and bar graph segments are fast and stable. Overall I like the display on the AM-530. The manual backlight feature is a nice touch when working in dim light. The backlight is so good in both low and normal indoor light that I wish it could be switched on for longer than 25 seconds at a time. Under bright light conditions the LCD display is excellent for all reasonable viewing angles. Indoors the viewing angle of the LCD display is shallow in the upper vertical axis. The display is sharp when viewed straight on and almost 45 degrees below the perpendicular, but fades out completely around 20 degrees above the perpendicular and is worse when the backlight is on. Indoor horizontal viewing angle is very good beyond 45 degrees left and right. Considering the professional appearance, rugged construction, and features the AM-530 provides for around $60-$80, I think a small compromise in indoor LCD viewing angle is completely acceptable.
The AM-530 provides all the measurement functions anyone would ever need for general electrical or electronic installation and troubleshooting. True RMS Auto-ranging AC/DC Voltage, Current, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, and Temperature measurements are all present and they all work as expected. The function selector is perfect on the AM-530 offering a positive click action with just the right amount of resistance. The Min, Max, and Hold options are very nice and easy to use. I did not find the Relative (Delta) function to be all that useful but it is there if you need it. The AM-530 includes a DC micro amp function that is supposed to be used for testing furnace flame sensors. However, in my opinion the smallest micro amp range offered (0-400 micro amps) is too large for an accurate reading. Most flame sensors generate only 2-5 micro amps when operating properly. Given the range, resolution, and accuracy of the AM-530's micro amps scale, flame sensor measurements could be off by as much as 16%. Although this is probably accurate enough for most pass/fail troubleshooting, I would have preferred a 0-40 micro amps scale with better than 1.5% accuracy to make sure that borderline flame sensor problems could be detected. The only disappointment with the AM-530 is that measurements take 2 seconds to auto-range and lock onto the display after the probes are applied to the test point. This is twice as long as the less capable Amprobe AM-60. When using manual ranges the AM-530 can lock onto a measurement in less than a second. For most general purpose troubleshooting work this will not be a problem but I liked the fast response of the AM-60 and was hoping the AM-530 would be just as responsive if not more so.
The VoltSense function in the AM-530 is not reliable. I was unable to get VoltSense to detect live AC on outlets, switches, plug wires, extension cords, florescent lamps, etc. most of the time. If you really need a non-contact voltage function, I would strongly recommend one of the clamp multi-meters like the ACDC-50NAV. VoltSense works flawlessly on the Amprobe clamp meters.
The thermocouple temperature probe included with the AM-530 is nice to have for most point contact measurements and is very responsive to changes in temperature. However the probe included with the AM-530 isn't very rugged and the junction is unsheathed. If you expect to take a lot of temperature measurements in anything other than dry environments I would recommend purchasing a more suitable probe.
The AM-530 includes an LED flashlight with a push-on/push-off switch that also works as a momentary switch when not fully depressed. It's a great help when working in low light or cramped locations and eliminates having to carry a small flashlight with you on the jobsite. The LED only comes on when the meter is powered on so you won't accidentally ruin the battery if the switch is accidentally depressed.The AM-530 comes with a good set of test probes. They have a sealed strain relief on each end, insulated tips, and a solid barrel with an integral guard ring. The Amprobe logo embossed on the probe barrel is a nice touch and contributes to the overall professional appearance the AM-530.
A zippered black nylon canvas carrying case is included with the AM-530. The outside of the case is water repellent and the inside provides a probe divider, an elastic retaining strap for the meter, and a pocket for the manual. Everything fits perfectly in the case which also has a nylon carrying strap. I like the red Amprobe lettering on the outside front of the case which is a nice touch. Padding in the case is minimal and I would have preferred a felt interior to the fine weave nylon used inside the case, but it is really nice to have any case at all for a meter in this price range.
The AM-530 is a very professional looking instrument that offers a lot of features for the price. For the electrician, engineer, or student that isn't concerned about measurement response time or a non-contact voltage indicator, the AM-530 is an excellent multi-meter.
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