Amprobe AM-510 Commercial/Residential Multimeter with Non-Contact Voltage Detection

Nice full sized, full function multimeter. This is a step above small, hobby units. Built well and easy to operate. Looks to be durable.

I did a lot of research on multimeters before choosing to order this one from Amprobe. For the balance of price and features from a reputable manufacturer, this is a decent product. I chose Amprobe over the many other Chinese made brands primarily because they have a reputation for build quality, safety features, and reliability (confirmed by rigorous testing done by reputable reviewers). Amprobe is a division of Fluke (arguably the industry leader), providing a lower-priced product line. This Amprobe AM-510 is designed primarily for use by the DIY homeowner. This unit does not have True RMS or temperature readings, but the AM line provides more feature-rich units, for professional use, at higher price points. The AM-510 has all the basic features and functionality to tackle most home electrical projects which I expect to encounter. The auto-ranging, non-contact voltage sensing (which I found to work better than some other reviews indicated), basic battery test feature, and integrated flashlight are all pluses. The backlight feature is both a plus and the primary minus of this product. On the plus side, the backlight does not shut off after a few seconds like many other multimeters. It will actually stay lit until you turn it off. However, I found that, for some reason, when the backlight is on the screen can only be read in a very narrow range (just a few degrees) on the vertical plane. If you tilt the meter up or down beyond that narrow range, the numerals fade out completely and can't be read. When I discovered this on the first unit I received from Amazon, I returned it. When I found that the replacement unit did the same thing, I contacted Amprobe technical support. One very nice thing is that the 800 number on the Amprobe packaging actually connects you to the Fluke U.S. offices and you actually reach a U.S. technician. The tech I spoke with pulled an AM-510 off the shelf to see if he could replicate the issue and was surprised to discover that screen/backlight behaved exactly the same as mine. He said he had not been aware of the issue previously. He then went on to pick up and test other meters in the AM line (the 520, 530, 560, and 570) and found they all had the same issue. It's strange to me that an issue like that hasn't been mentioned before but, it is what it is. I've worked with many kinds of electronic equipment with backlit screens and have never seen this problem on any of them. As I said at the beginning, this is a good unit for the price and, for me, this quirk was not a big enough problem to send it back and start shopping all over again. But, if you're interested in buying one of these Amprobes, be aware that you might (and probably will) run into the same issue.

This is a good DMM for the money. House hold use, testing outlets, etc. Wanted a safe meter, see Youtube videos for a guy who zaps it with kilovolts. This meter came out second best to a Fluke. Plenty accurate for my use. Amprobe is owned by Fluke and is tested in Fluke labs. The only negative are the leads. When I measured the resistance of the leads the readings jumped all over the place. I tried cleaning with papertowel and isopropyl alcohol no help. Then I used a very fine abrasive pad with alcohol, now the resistance is zero. Also made the continuity function much quicker and consistent. Must be corrosion or some kind of coating on the probes. Many choices for DMMs in the sub $50 range. Almost bought a Fluke 101 $44. This meter has more features, current, loaded battery tester, NCV, relative, backlight and stand, rubbery case. The Fluke is true RMS, has a stronger plastic case and is more compact. I think I made the right choice. P.S. I have a Fluke 115 but wanted a cheaper meter for less exacting tasks.

This meter is actually quite accurate and flexible. I own a Fluke 87V and Fluke 179. Both first class instruments of course. I ordered the AM-510 just to have as a "beater" that I didn't feel like I had to be careful with. Now, I find it works so well I'm going to want to be careful with it. Not that it, let alone the Flukes, are in any way delicate. The AM-510 appears to be very rugged, and accurate. I have two DMM references from voltagestandard.com. One has various 0.1% resistors mounted, and also provides calibrated DC and AC voltages and current sources. The other has five (5) voltage references from about 0.25 VDC to about 10 VDC. All these references are specified for your particular unit to several decimal points. I just got through comparing the "accuracy" between the Flukes and the AM-510 as well as an Extech 22-816 (also a pretty good meter) using these references.I can't take the space or time to list all the results here. But a sample of the AM-510 compared to the Fluke 85V (the "best" meter I have, and it is good) are here. I will list the actual reference value first, then the 85V, and finally the AM-510 for a few measurements. 100.060kohm/100.1kohm/100.1kohm. 5.0000vdc/5.000vdc/4.99vdc. 20.000812khz/20.00khz/19.99khz. 0.2500vdc/0.250vdc/0.249vdc. 9.9999vdc/10.0vdc/9.98vdc. These are representative results of 13 different measurements. Not too shabby a performance for the AM-510. And, I might add, the Fluke 85V sells for roughly 10 times the price of the AM-510 on Amazon.Great, great buy in my opinion. Now, I have no doubt that the Fluke 85V is more rugged, safer, and has more circuitry protections than the AM-510. That said the AM-510 appears to not be fragile by any stretch. On the contrary.One final comment, regarding AC measurements with the AM-510. It is an "Average Reading" AC meter, whereas the Flukes I have, and the Extech, are "True RMS" AC meters. The reference standards I mentioned have a square wave on the AC settings. True RMS meters will read these correctly, whereas an Averaging meter will only do so with a Sine Wave source. Here is an example of the AC results as above: 4.999vac/5.004vac/5.52vac. The 5.52vac is very close to what an "Average Reading" meter should show with a square wave of about 5vac so this is actually fine, just so long as you recognize what's going on.Hard to think of a better bargain than this AM-510 unless you really do need a True RMS AC meter. Deserves 5 stars without a doubt. It has Relative readings which I haven't tested. It has a battery test feature which I have tested and it is good. It, of course has a diode test function which I have tested and it works right, at least with silicon diodes; haven't checked with germanium. In addition to AC measurements it has a duty cycle feature that I checked with house current and it works right. On and on. Go ahead and get one, you won't be sorry IMHO.Update: Just ordered two more for each of my sons.

Supongo que es debido a la competencia de multímetros chinos y por esa razón están bajando la calidad en los materiales de fabricación. Con opciones variadas de medición pero no totalmente preciso, una mucho mejor opción en cuanto a precisión y calidad de construcción es su hermano mayor (incluso se podría tratar de su padre) el modelo AM-270. No diría que es barato, diría que sencillamente obtienes lo que estás dispuesto a invertir.Me gustó:Sus variadas opciones de medición.Medición especial para prueba de pilas 1.5v y 9vLinterna incorporada.Detección de voltaje sin contacto "NCV"BaratoMedición de frecuencia y ciclo de trabajo.No me gustó:Su calidad de construcciónImpreciso en la medición de voltajes (por lo menos en DC)Lento en la medición de resistencias.Prueba de continuidad (parece que el buzzer tuviera catarro)NO lo recomiendo, mejor invertir más y adquirir un modelo mucho mejor, más robusto y preciso, como su padre el Amprobe AM-270.

I bought the Amprobe 510 to check voltage around a charging 12v lead acid battery and it works as intended. It is easy to use. It is more than adequate for household and general purpose use. I would highly recommend for beginners and new hobbyists.

Arrived right on time. This unit was a replacement for another manufacturer's meter that failed and was turfed. Solid unit with a case that is non slip on a slanted surface. Leads seat positively. Rotary selection is solid and engaging. No variance in readings when compared to a more expensive meter. Good choice on my part, thanks to other positive reviews. Thanks Amprobe for a quality product.

Good quality, I find that it is a bit slow to settle down at a reading (1-2 sec). But I'm used to mechanical probes which had instantaneous readings as long as you know how to read the scale. As previously noted the Non-contact voltage tester is fairly slow, and will not reliably penetrate walls so is fairly useless.

The burden voltage is unacceptably high in the mA range. This makes it useless for the majority of my current measurements.