Multimeter Review / buyers guide: Part 2 - Mastech MS8218
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- čas přidán 2. 10. 2012
- Review of the Mastech / Sinometer MS8218 50000 count multimeter with data logging.
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Product Description
The newly released MS8218 is an auto-range 50,000 count true RMS digital multimeter with high accuracy and resolution. With its 24-bit A/D converter and single-chip micro-processer, it can measure AC/DC current and voltage up to 1000 volts and 10 amps and give you true RMS readings even if it's a mixed AC/DC signal. You can also use it to measure large resistor (upto 50MOhms) and capacitors (upto 5 mF). This meter comes with a RS232C port and compatible software, so you can easily hook it up with a computer to display, record and plot your measurement on your computer. Its graphic software has a unique dynamic scale so even a tiny variation will be reflected on the computer.
AC/DC V/A + Resistance + Capacitance + Frequency (linear & logic)
True RMA reading on AC & AC+DC
All-range fuse protected
Software & necessary accessories are include
Specifications:
Ranging automatic/manual
Counts 50000
DC voltage 50/500mV/5/50/500/1000V ±0.03%
DC + AC voltage 50/500mV/5/50/500/100V ±0.5%
DC current 500/5000µA/50/500mA/5/10A ±0.15%
AC current 500/5000µA/50/500mA/5A ±0.75%, 10A ±1.5%
Resistance 500Ω/5/50/500kΩ/5MΩ ±0.1%, 50MΩ ±0.5%
Capacitance 50/500nF/5/50µF ±1%, 500/5000µF ±2%
Inductancy 2 mH / 20 mH / 200 mH / 2 H 20 H ± 3.0%
Conductivity wire identification yes
Diode, transistor test yes
Automatic power-off yes
Data Hold yes
Overload protection yes
Charge battery indication yes
Measurement mode of relative quantity yes
Off-duty factor 5Hz - 500kHz
max/min value measurement yes
rms value yes
Power source 6 1.5V (AAA)
Dimensions, mm 200 × 100 × 40 mm
PC interface connection yes - Věda a technologie
Hi nice job on your video and great review skills. I think from my perspective being in the the electrical industry for 48+ years and 36 as an electrician in various iterations of the trade I evaluate meters from an industrial perspective. IEC 61010-1 is the standard for test equipment.It is very important the meter be built, tested and credentialed to that standard. I am not a Fluke dealer, get no incentive or affiliate credit for my remarks but do hold credentials as a certified electrical trainer. I do require a test instrument to be both robust, reasonably accurate on mains voltage and durable for the environment in which it is used.
Judging a test instrument by manufacturer reputation, safety testing requirement compliance and intended use environment are key.
The Mastech meter you reviewed would be in my opinion a great bench meter for electronic work. Unfortunately when I look at the fusing (it is a ceramic tube unit but still a small dimension like a glass tube) that immediately triggers a red flag. The input circuit appears to be very anemic with small electronic grade resistors. Albeit it is a 10 mohm input impedance the difference between the subject meter and a robust Cat II/Cat IV meter suitable for mains exposure under IEC 61010-1 is significant
It is a stretch to say this meter can reach Cat III 6Kv X 20 pulse (2 ohm imped source) or Cat IV 8Kv same spec for the Cat IV. I think catastrophic failure may occur. Remember, just because a meter SAYS IT IS CAT III or CAT IV does NOT mean it has been dynamically tested (surge test) to that level. Manufacturers can self certify or have 3rd party tested. Third party testing is expensive and requires ongoing maintenance. That's on of the reasons why Fluke is inherently more expensive!
Metering is an involved and possibly deadly process with long reaching implications. For example the likely less than adequate fusing will definitely impact the safety of the shunt (amps) input. IEC 61010-1 says the meter must take amps or ohms (continuity) inputs without catastrophic failure when exposed to the max mains voltage the meter is rated for. I find myself concerned the fusing as well as input circuits are woefully inadequate for that exposure.
All in all as an individual who has specialized in electrical training for 20+ years of a nearly half century career I would give the Mastech a thumbs down for industrial work.
It's a great bench meter when not exposed to Cat 3 or Cat 4 areas. On the other hand that is where Fluke shines as a vendor that not only tests their meters in house to more rigorous tests than the IEC standard requires, they also get the right stuff and have TUV in Europe, CSA in Canada and UL in the States test their meters too.
So to end this two basic classes or distinctions in meters - Bench and Industrial.
Cat III and Cat IV for industrial use 3rd party tested and certified.
All the rest of this ilk typical of the Mastech are really good for bench testing and if properly isolated PC interface. However ultimately whatever connects to the mains lines must per third party tested and certified safe if high energy mains exposure will occur. After all the interface to the interface I(what touches live mains lines) is the meter and its leads. The meter puts out the PC serial signal to the data interface or PC
Hope this helps questions or comments welcome!
I find the Mastech MS8218 intriguing. The resolution is actually better than many Fluke and Brymen meters having 50,000 displays. The usual number of ranges is 5 while the MS8218 has 6. The Brymen meters go down to 600.00 mV range while the MS8218 goes down to 50.000 mV. Even my very old Fluke's, 8060A 4.5 digit, also 5 ranges, go down to only 199.99 mV (200 mV) range. Also like the manual, real, power switch. The Fluke 8060A is manual ranging only, side push buttons with a manual, real, power switch.
The MS8218 is also more consistent in terms of accuracy over the ranges while the others tend to differ around the 600 V range. Brymen and Fluke offer better voltage protection across the functions and ranges while the MS8218 is only about 250 V on non voltage functions, perhaps the price to pay for low end sensitivity.
Probably most do not realize Fluke has made some real junk in the distant past, made in Washington USA. Early eighties their LCD displays would bleed/fail in about year, I've had to replaced a number. Their customer service was lacking at a service center when I wanted the options installed in my frequency counter, they said it could not be done. Called the main office, I got my options. Historically, over hundreds of years, once products are outsourced for a decade or two, the name brands will lose favor to the lower cost labor and superior effort, they either sell the brand name or exit the market. Fluke was sold to Danaher, a conglomerate.
Thanks Todd, I'm really enjoying your posts too. Cheers, Martin.
Thanks very much for the feedback and input Jacob...you make very valid points. Cheers,
Martin.
Yes, from all the feedback now it looks like Mastech could learn a few lessons. Cheers, Martin.
Thanks for the video. We will launch new products soon. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the input and feedback.
Thanks for your input and feedback.
Thanks for the feedback.
Agreed. Thanks for the input.
My pleasure, thanks for the feedback.
I would be afraid to use that meter when measuring 480VAC voltages!! There is hardly any blast shielding and very low creepage between inputs (no routed cuts or large gaps or anything!)-- that thing could arc over and blow up in your hands and you'd have a very bad day! Also, that capacitor and current shunt look verrrry dodgy... almost looks like copper coated aluminum that has oxidized or something! I was hopeful about this meter until I saw the insides! Thanks for the review, Martin!
Thanks for the information, very interesting.
Mastech 8218 iis the best calibrate, after 5 years and with voltage battery below 7,2 volts. This machine is tbe best of ALL
Indeed...which Fluke are you saving for?
hanks for the information, very interesting.
Greeting from Serbia
Your videos are really clear and focused. what camera do you use?
Hi, I recently purchased an MS 8218 meter and when I checked voltage of a AA battery(~1.5VDC) (mode: DC voltage: auto ranging) I found that there is a difference of 1.1mV in the readings taken when polarity of battery is reversed (battery positive connected to multimeter negative)with respect to normal polarity reading (ie. When battery positive is connected to multimeter positive). In fluke Meters I have found that irrespective of polarity they display identical readings for a specific DC voltage source.
I was bemused to find that another mastech multimeter(ms 8264) also show this discrepancy. I wish to know if this is due to some disparity in the ADC circuit inside my meter or is it a general defect of all mastech Meters of this specific model (ms 8218).
is this multimeter uses gold plated contacts like SANWA?
Well done !!
Thanks
how do you calibrate it ?
Great video. I purchased one Mastch 8218 but it came dead. Do you know how to fix it? A video maybe?
whats that samsung machine?? what's it's model?
which is the fluke mentioned ?
I think that these days, for the short term, it's easy to match the accuracy of the standard, which is almost always Fluke. The buyer needs to understand that the most variable areas are durability (is it gonna last for a while?), serviceability ( I can send out Flukes for service and have them back in days but if the Mastech goes south, then what? Parts??) and performance in actual working conditions. Mine are used in an automotive training environment which, in fact, turns out to be a severely harsh environment. The Mastech has held up so far, but I can always trust the Fluke.
brilliant video im thinking of buying a cheaper version of this from amazon just been nosey what country are you from (love the video)
Sorry, Martin, I should've been clearer. I meant to see if resistance falls out of tolerance with dropping battery voltage.
That's how most lower end meters work as far as high-voltage frequency goes, as far as I can tell. Certainly both my meters work that way. The UT61E you have on the way will, for example.
It is also called H187/YH187. Available from dinodirect and dealextreme. They say it is produced by the same company which makes Fluke 15/16/17/18 in China, but I've found no confirmations.
poprilično su mu "fine" cene kod nas a Mastech ko mastech... Sanwa 5000a je dostupan na spec. akciji za cenu oko 140 do 150 evra i odabir je logičan, samo treba ignorisati +300khZ "prednosti" za ms8218 u odnosu na sanwu.
The TekPower TP4000ZC i meant, same as Digitek DT-4000ZC in Europe.
The layout of this multimeter looks like Fluke 867 but it is nothing similar inside.
Interesting to see how Fluke bashers go quiet once the "great value per dollar" DMM gets opened:)
Looks like they put 6x30 instead of 6.3x32
Seeing that the IR port only has 2 wires, it is likely output only. And being output only, you should be able to capture data using a terminal program instead of the gimmick software that comes with the meter.
Consumes a lot of batteries, no ? For that kind of rather expensive meter. Important too, i think, when choose for buying a multimeter. Batteries are not cheap. And i keep saving for a Fluke :-)
Ik think it will be a 179 and a good clampmeter, and a cheap, like the one you did a review on, for datalogging. The Flukes are here very expensive, allmost double then on your store and i refuse to buy one here. The Digitek i couldn't order on your store, but i think i can order a Fluke, i give it a try in a couple of weeks. A 287 is too big, and i don't need al those features. I want measure amps with a save meter, save probes. And a meter that i can rely on every day.
sinometers is Chinese made .. they have alot of models most of them exactly like other famous brands ( fake ) .. .. but no specifications or confirmation that those unit are work well >
go to there site .. they have all models .. fluke . uni-t - sanwa .... etc but with slightly difference in names
It is half the price of fluke and a bit better accuracy, yes?
I think, that the speed doesn't count here at all, I would buy an oscilloscope if I would need faster measurements.
Yes but I don't see why anyone would by this costing $240 over the Brymen 867S - $175 + data logging option -$50. Plus you get warranty and support of Brymen which from my experience is one of the best in business especially in that price range.
Инструкцию надо читать, дружочек, прежде, чем кнопочки нажимать, а тем более ролики записывать. Подать напряжение из розетки и измерять при этом частоту прямоугольных импульсов - режим, в котором допустимая амплитуда импульсов 2В - 5В...нет слов.
A real garbage for the price without any proper protection components
too expensive.
Very poor quality.
I think that these days, for the short term, it's easy to match the accuracy of the standard, which is almost always Fluke. The buyer needs to understand that the most variable areas are durability (is it gonna last for a while?), serviceability ( I can send out Flukes for service and have them back in days but if the Mastech goes south, then what? Parts??) and performance in actual working conditions. Mine are used in an automotive training environment which, in fact, turns out to be a severely harsh environment. The Mastech has held up so far, but I can always trust the Fluke.