Test/review of DMM Bside ADM92

DMM Bside ADM92

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This meter has the shape of a clamp meter, but it a normal multimeter, that can also work as a pen meter

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The meter is in a brown cardboard box with a label that shows the model and a few specifications.

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It included the DMM, a pouch, a pair of probes, a thermocouples and a instruction manual.

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Everything could fit in the supplied pouch.

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The thermocoupler is standard cheap K type with lose banana plugs.

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Probes are branded with BSide and has removable tip covers. There is a CAT III 1000V rating on the cover, but none on probe.

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The plug is fully shrouded and very close standard probe shroud size.

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The slot at the side of the meter can hold one probe and the the meter works as a pen type meter.

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When I got the meter something was rattling inside it, it was the NCV antenna. I soldered it back in place before doing any testing.
It was probably not soldered good enough and fall off due to a bump during shipping.




Display

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The above picture shows all the segments on the display, not all are used.

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Typical display during usage, it will show the main number and what measurement is selected.

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NCV has the usual bars on the display, together with a red led and the buzzer.

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The LIVE function requires one probe, shows 4 bars when not connected and LIVE when touching a live wire. Buzzer and led is also used for this function.

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The led for LIVE and NCV function is here.




Functions

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Buttons:

• Hold: Freezes the display, hold down for backlight.
  
• Hz: Will change to frequency in AC ranges.
  
• SEL: Select between DC and AC and ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance. For temperature is will select between C and F.
  
• V Alert: Activates the NCV mode, works on any rotary switch position except off. Pressing again or turning the rotary switch will exit NCV mode.
  

Rotary switch:

• Live: Detect a live wire with one probe.
  
• Off: Meter is turned off
  
• V: Show DC or AC voltage.
  
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• mA: The two mA current ranges.
  
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Input

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With only two input terminals all measuring functions are done with these.
For LIVE only the red is used.



Measurements

• Volt and frequency
  
  
  
  • Frequency counter is only available on AC ranges
    
  • Frequency input requires a zero crossing
    
  • At 0.1Vrms input frequency range is from 10Hz to 5.6kHz
    
  • At 1Vrms input frequency range is from 1Hz to 45kHz
    
  • 1 VAC is 5% down at 2.3kHz (RMS will not work at the frequency).
    
  • Input impedance is 10-11Mohm on DC and AC
    
  • Rated overload protection is 1000VDC and 750VAC
    
  • Frequency input resistance is same as voltage, except at very low voltages where it is high
    
  
  
• Current
  
  
  
  • mA do not have a fuse but uses some PTC’s
    
  • Will show OL above 200mA
    
  
  
• Ohm, continuity, diode and capacitance
  
  
  
  • Ohm needs about 2.8s to measure 100ohm
    
  • Ohm is -1.1V open and -0.3mA shorted
    
  • Continuity is quick (About 15ms).
    
  • Continuity beeps when resistance is below 50ohm
    
  • Continuity is -2.1V open and -0.3mA shorted
    
  • Diode range uses 4.0V, max. display is 3.300V at 0.36mA, max. current is 2.1mA shorted
    
  • 10uF takes about 2 seconds to measure.
    
  • 9900uF takes about 9 seconds to measure.
    
  • Rated overload protection is 600V DC or AC
    
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  
  
  
  • Current consumption of meter is 1.5mA to 1.7mA, with backlight it is 5.2mA
    
  • Meter works down to 2.2V where it turns off, battery symbol show at 2.3V.
    
  • Meter readings are stable until it turns off.
    
  • Backlight fades with voltage and is very dim at 2.5V
    
  • The meter usual show correct reading on first or second display update.
    
  • Viewing angle is good, except from top
    
  • Display updates around 3 times/sec
    
  • Backlight turn off after about 30 seconds.
    
  • Will automatic turn power off in about 16 minutes.
    
  • Banana plugs and standard probes fits nicely.
    
  • Weight is 118g without accessories, but with batteries.
    
  • Size is 140 × 49 × 33mm.
    
  
  
• Probes
  
  
  
  • Probe resistance 185mOhm for one.
    
  • Probe wire is 78cm long.
    
  
  

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A look at the capacitance measurement waveform when measuring 1uF.

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Frequency input resistance.

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The 9.999uF range jumps up/down at the high end, but is within the 4% tolerance.
My 11000uF capacitor measures as 1134uF, i.e. 10 times below actual value.
High DC voltage will block for AC readings.


Tear down

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To open the meter two screws must be removed, but one of the screws are behind the belt clip, this add two more screws for a total of four screws.

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As usual the circuit board is shaped to fill the enclosure.

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To get the circuit board out I had to remove four more screws.

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It looks like this enclosure is also used for meters with considerable more leds, when looking at the number of light pipes above the rotary switchs.

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Current input uses the two PTC’s (F1 & F2) and a one ohm resistor with a TVS diode across. Voltage input uses two resistors (R4A & R4B: 2×5Mohm). Ohm output uses the green PTC (R10) and a transistor pair (Q1 & Q2) for protection. The ohm sense input is 3 resistors (R15A, R15B, R15C: 300k, 300k, 390k). Temperature uses same configuration as ohms.

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On this side is the pads for the buttons, the rotary switch and lcd in addition to the NCV led.

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Conclusion

The meter has the normal functions, except current is a bit limited with only mA ranges. The shape is probably great when using the meter handheld, but on a table it is not as good.



Notes

The meter was supplied by BSide for review.

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