What are the advantages of a benchtop digital multimeter when compared to a portable one?

Question

Hello, 
 I already own a portable multimeter that I am applying for these use cases: 
 
 90% : continuity testing (bip bip) 
 9% : battery/coin cell condition 
 1% : debug a running circuit to see if an output pin is on 
 
 When the signals that I want to measure vary rapidly, I use the oscilloscope to graph them, in single shot most of the time. 
 As I've been given the opportunity to choose new gear, I'm considering my options, one being GW Instek Bench Digital Multimeter 
 However, I'm not sure that I would put it to good use, hence my question: What are the advantages of such a device? 
 
 Thanks for your insights.

cstanton · Accepted Answer

Hey obones, 
 In principle a piece of benchtop equipment offers: 
 
 Stability, you can leave it connected / in its configuration 
 Accuracy, because it doesn't have to fit to a small form factor, it can use different components, or more components, that ensure it's correct. 
 Reliability, typically smaller and portable components are subject to regular movement, interference in the ways of physical interactions and again components that can be made in different ways to if they were smaller 
 With accuracy and reliability, you're connecting the device to mains power, this can have some influence on the former two in behaviour terms, though you'd hope there'd be little difference, there can be some variance. 
 Logging and capture, while portable devices have and are catching up to this kind of functionality, there are some benefits to having a stationary setup for this kind of thing, along with a way to reliably setup automated capture and documentation. 
 Features and functionality, often these may be different (in a good way) because of the available space being a bench top item. 
 
 As for the benefits of your particular portable versus this bench model, I don't directly have experience with both.

BigG · Answer

I would probably choose a Bluetooth handheld multimeter. Then get best of both worlds. 
 I recall shabaz writing up a blog about this one: community.element14.com/.../mp730624-multimeter-quick-review-surprisingly-accurate

michaelkellett · Answer

It depends a lot on what you want to do. 
 I just checked a battery a few minutes ago - a portable DMM was the best tool for that since the battery was outside. 
 But I have several bench-top DMMs in my lab because: 
 More accurate (often do 4 terminal measurements), data collection and recording, more functions nicer interface, they sit on a shelf out of the way. 
 AT the low price end there is less incentive to go for a bench-top DMM. 
 As you spend more you get remote control and data collection. Some meters can sample quite fast. 
 The GW Instek 8341 wouldn't be my choice. 
 I'd look for one with Ethernet and USB. Ethernet is great for remote control, USB for recording stuff on a memory stick. 
 The Rigol DM858E offers LAN and USB in the same price class and has a bigger display. 
 But from your list of DMM tasks I'm not sure that either is going to give you a big boost. 
 MK

What are the advantages of a benchtop digital multimeter when compared to a portable one?

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