For many years I used analog meters to test gain block circuits in CATV amps. I could pinpoint a bad transistor more quickly than a digital meter. The old Simpson 260 was great!
The analog will give you a quick reading of the voltage. You are basically just looking for +- 12 or 120 volts , or a shorted or open circuit. A digital meter for a most applications can be confusing for most novices. Looking for 12 volts and meter showing 11.5. Or 120 volts and meter showing 110.
I have both a Fluke 8024 digital and a Sencore FET multimeter. Both older but still work fine.
The non contact tester just shows that there is AC voltage on the circuit. It can be as low as 60 volts and still indicate a live circuit.
When I did field service work, we carried a Simpson 260. It could also be used a a wheel chock when changing a tire. One tough meter.
Analog or digital, both meters require the user to understand what they are testing and what they are looking for. For my years of using analog meters, I found the swing of the needle useful when not measuring rock-solid DC currents or resistance. Likely a graphing digital meter could capture similar information. Recently I tried using my son’s digital meter, seeing unexpected readings, I investigated and found both fuses open. A case of not knowing how to use the meter or what he was looking for before his passing.
For many years I used analog meters to test gain block circuits in CATV amps. I could pinpoint a bad transistor more quickly than a digital meter. The old Simpson 260 was great!
True that. But would you give a Simpson 260 to a first-time meter user? That’s my point. 😁
Wow, haven't seen one of those in years. Oh, the memories though!
The analog will give you a quick reading of the voltage. You are basically just looking for +- 12 or 120 volts , or a shorted or open circuit. A digital meter for a most applications can be confusing for most novices. Looking for 12 volts and meter showing 11.5. Or 120 volts and meter showing 110.
I have both a Fluke 8024 digital and a Sencore FET multimeter. Both older but still work fine.
The non contact tester just shows that there is AC voltage on the circuit. It can be as low as 60 volts and still indicate a live circuit.
When I did field service work, we carried a Simpson 260. It could also be used a a wheel chock when changing a tire. One tough meter.
Analog or digital, both meters require the user to understand what they are testing and what they are looking for. For my years of using analog meters, I found the swing of the needle useful when not measuring rock-solid DC currents or resistance. Likely a graphing digital meter could capture similar information. Recently I tried using my son’s digital meter, seeing unexpected readings, I investigated and found both fuses open. A case of not knowing how to use the meter or what he was looking for before his passing.
I need to do a video on ghost voltages… 😁