U1282A Digital multimeter LCD 5 Digits (60000) True RMS AC+DC IP67 KEYSIGHT TECH

Description

Review: A modern multimeter with rich features and high accuracy. As good as it gets in a handheld multimeter. - In a nutshell this multimeter is in the top tier for handheld multimeters. It has accuracy on the same level as a Fluke's high-end 289 (across the ranges, sometimes the U1282A edges out, and sometimes the Fluke 289 edges out, but it's neck-and-neck), a very fast 5Hz update rate, a very high display count (60,000), and (one of my favourite features) a high-speed logging capability (10Hz - very fast for a multimeter!). It also supports some modern features like combined DC+AC RMS measurements, dual display, and excellent standards-based SCPI interface either over isolated infra-red-to-USB (the cable is supplied) or Bluetooth wireless using a separately-purchased U1117A module. That module is awesome - it allows you to work remotely, for example in a vehicle, connect it to the car battery and then start the car while observing the voltage from your mobile phone using Keysight's free Mobile Meter Logger software. Build Quality: Extremely rigid - good to see, since this is an extremely high-resolution and accurate instrument. You don't want any PCB flexing that would cause it to loose accuracy over time. It is a massive meter though - 700 gram weight including batteries. Still, that's a compromise I feel was worthwhile for something with such extreme accuracy in a handheld enclosure. It is also ruggedized and IP 67 rated. Basic Features: The basic voltage and current measurement modes are fairly consistent; what you can do in the voltage measurement ranges you can also do in the current measurement ranges. For example, peak measurements, min/max, even frequency measurements. Nulling capability is present too. As mentioned earlier, the readings are very granular due to the high count, and as accurate as any other high-end handheld meter today, but with a very fast 5 Hz display update (and 10 Hz logging). At the lowest range setting the current resolution is down to 10nA which is awesome. Also, unlike some multimeters the resistance measurements have granularity down to 1 milliohm in the lowest range setting. Process Measurements The meter can auto-convert a 4-20mA current reading into a percentage value. But what is even better is that if you are using the mobile app (with the Bluetooth adapter) then you can enter your own formula and unit to display. This works in any mode. It means that the mobile app can display (say) Gauss or RPM or degrees rotation or whatever, in the units you desire. Frequency Related Measurements As well as low-to-mid frequency measurements in any of the voltage or current modes, there is also a separate dedicated Frequency Counter mode where the meter can measure up to 100MHz! There are some caveats in this mode like a limited voltage input however. Still, it could have uses. Also, I liked that the meter can measure pulse widths too (rising or falling pulses can be selected). You could also select Min/Max mode and therefore see the amount of jitter. Square Wave and Pulse Generation Interestingly the meter can generate these signals. I don't have an immediate use for it, but it is nice to know it is there (could be useful for pulsing logic circuits slowly). The frequencies available are quite limited, so don't expect it to replace a signal generator for design engineers. But in the field it could be useful for some calibration activities. Miscellaneous Features The meter supports a ton of additional functionality. The usual capacitance measurement capability (down to 1pF resolution) is there although that's only really for basic component testing since the test frequency is low. A thermocouple is available for the meter too (not supplied). The meter also has a built-in thermometer, so you can record the ambient temperature at which measurements were taken. There is a 'non-contact voltage detection' capability for checking for live cables in walls. Of course it also supports diode and continuity check modes. The meter is highly configurable (there is a menu system if you hold down the orange Shift key while turning it on) and that allows for very extensive customization, even quite bizarre options like musical tones for different resistances in the continuity check! Probes Basic probes are supplied, they are not bad. I personally prefer smaller probes for electronics design work so I bought additional ones (Pomona). There is also an interesting Keysight U5404A 'Remote Switch Probe' for capturing measurements without taking hands or eyes off the task at hand. It has a button on the side for capturing and recording measurements as soon as the signal has settled. Although the Remote Switch Probe is useful, it is perhaps more for production testing or industrial use, not as essential for design engineers. Software Features There is free software to connect the meter for drawing graphs and performing logging to disk. There is even voice capability to announce the measurements. As mentioned I loved the mobile software - the Bluetooth U1117A is a fantastic addition. I use it a lot, and it is super easy to use. It uses Bluetooth LE as I understand, since the range is large (100m). I really like that you can apply your own maths formulas to the measured values. For instance, I have purchased a small thermistor, and the maths formula is set to convert the resistance to temperature in degrees C. So, I can use the multimeter and thermistor to do heatsink temperature measurements (and logging) really easily! The meter understands usual SCPI commands, so it is very easy to write your own software that can use the supplied isolated USB cable and open a serial connection at 9600 baud and issue commands to capture data at 10Hz and write to disk or process and display live graphs. I have written code in a couple of languages, including a MATLAB '.m' file to capture and display the data - google for 'U1282A fastlog' to access the github page. Summary I'm very impressed by this multimeter. For me the most useful features are the high-speed logging and the ultra-high resolution and accuracy. I also like the on-the-fly capability to perform live math conversions to incoming data via the mobile app, to display data in the correct units for the task at hand. It has very impressive battery life (800 hours!). The frequency, pulse width and combined AC+DC measurement modes provide deep insight into signals. The vast array of features means you can do more with less - although it will never replace an oscilloscope, data logger, temperature logger and frequency counter, it performs quite well in these roles for some scenarios! Review: Bluetooth should be built-in! - Keysight's U1252U is a 60,000 count 3.5 to 4.5 digit handheld multimeter. Some of the features: • 60,000 count display • 0.025% best DCV accuracy • CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1000 V over-voltage protection • Battery life up to 800 hours • Manual data logging up to 100 readings • Auto/event data logging up to 10,000 readings • Certified to IP 67 for water and dust protection • Tested to withstand a 3m (10ft.) drop • Square wave output for generating pulse width modulation (PWM) signal • Frequency counter This is a very large handheld meter that is very robust but unfortunately is far from perfect. For starters, the function/range switch manages to be both spongy & stiff at the same time. Built-in connectivity is IR so to use the far more useful Bluetooth interface requires a highly inelegant push-on convertor instead of building it into the meter that requires its own battery. This, IMO was an extremely poor design decision that's hard to understand in any context other than Keysight wishing to charge for an accessory - the cost of including it onboard would have been minimal even back when it was designed! The orange backlit display is reasonably clear & its accuracy is average for the type & price. The readings per second are good & can be increased at the expense of resolution & is only useful during data logging. I use the IOS app that also can set ranges as well as logging - this functionality does work well. The AC B/W is better than some meters as is the battery life from the 4 AA cells that can be either primary or rechargeable. There were some interference issues that have since been addressed but should never have been there to start with! Not a bad meter - I suspect the marketing department interfered with the design! Could have been much better, especially with stiff competition from Fluke in particular.