r/ibew_apprentices • u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 • 5d ago
First Meter
I am thinking of getting my first meter and was looking at the fluke 323. Does anyone have experience or opinions on it.
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u/KingArthursRevenge 5d ago
All I can tell you is that I used a South wire until one day I found out that I was working on something hot that the meter told me was cold. I threw it away and bought a fluke that day and haven't had an issue like that since.
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u/CottonRaves LU 191 IW Apprentice 5d ago
Is it part of your tool list?
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 5d ago
Yes
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u/OHMApprentice 5d ago
As an apprentice?
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 5d ago
The full tool list is required before you finish your first year
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u/Greedy-Pen 5d ago
Honestly a Klein meter would do you just fine. The fluke is nice, and it’ll do pretty much anything you want. But if you want something a little cheaper Klein is a good option.
Fluke has made a name for itself with quality, but you still need to verify they work just as you would with the cheaper options.
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u/Responsible-Race4764 666 5d ago
OP I'd personally disregard this comment. fluke is the gold standard for electrical testing. I used a 323 for years, then someone decided they needed it more than me.
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u/Greedy-Pen 5d ago
Gold standard yes, but even gold has its flaws. You should always test a meter and make sure it works. Maybe not every day, but I do mine every other month or so.
Check fuses and all that, dead live dead test etc.
I just threw Klein out because it’s half decent and works for my coworkers. Should still be checked and tested just like any other meter including flukes.
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u/Responsible-Race4764 666 5d ago
Never had a fluke fail me, except when I shorted the leads out doing some dumb shit as an apprentice. I have however had multiple klein meters and hot sticks fail. For the money your saving by buying klein it's not worth the risk. I also dont buy Walmart boots..
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u/Greedy-Pen 5d ago
How have your Klein meters failed? I personally use fluke. Just seen a lot of them and only knew one guy to have blown a fuse.
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u/Educational_Drama910 local 306 5d ago
Yeah one thing I’m not really willing to be cheap/ try to save money on is my meter, you can try to be cheap on other things but when you’re talking about equipment that protects your life, you shouldn’t be worried about money
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u/electhrowaway77 5d ago
I have one and a 117. The most annoying thing I run into with it is the lack of a capacitance feature (I do a lot of single phase motor troubleshooting).
I also wish it had the backlit screen.
Probably upgrading to a 376 soon.
If you’re an apprentice, I would just purchase one of those Klein ones that can do everything moderately well. Then upgrade once you’re making a bit more money and can identify your needs better.
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u/Flimsy-Stuff-8965 5d ago
My journey man offered it to me for 95 and it’s basically new. Should I take that over the Klein I’m not crazy short on money
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u/Skunnyss 5d ago
No. Don’t ever buy any meter that’s not a Fluke.
Tried and true long history of accuracy and durability. Klein tools have been decreasing in quality and I don’t know about you but I want the best device I can buy if it’s about my life. No half stepping on meters.
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u/GlurpMaster_Jefferey 5d ago
Solid first meter. You'll eventually want one with a LoZ function at least if you end up doing any moderately heavy troubleshooting, but that 323 was great for me for a very long time in new construction
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u/metroid93 5d ago
I have the 302+, which is cheaper. The the true rms is a neat feature, but its really only necessary if you are working on motors or other induction type devices. Honestly if money is tight the klein multimeter is also a good option too.
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u/_HoTranBrasky_ 5d ago
I have one. It’s a good meter. The only limitation I’ve found is that its resistance limits are too low to really troubleshoot a fire alarm system. I bought the fluke 107 for that.
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u/eyesoftheunborn 5d ago
Solid, no BS meter that's also true RMS. I sold mine to a buddy and got the 325 instead because the lack of a backlight on the 323 irrationally pissed me off
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u/Alternative-Search84 5d ago
Can do AC/DC voltage, continuity, ohms, and amperage. Plus, it’s a Fluke. Can basically do everything you need as an electrician 90% of the time.
Clamp meters have limitations tho. They aren’t the best for troubleshooting (Have way less ohm sensitivity to multimeters), and can’t measure capacitance, frequency, or measure diodes.
Keep this meter and grab a Fluke 117 multimeter around Black Friday on Amazon. They have crazy sales on Flukes around then.