The TekPower TP4000ZC does everything it promises to do and does it well. Right out of the box I was impressed with the high quality of the leads as other reviewers had rated them poorly, perhaps they have been upgraded.
The RS232 connectivity works smoothly. I use a Dell laptop (Latitude D630) with Windows XP and an RS232 input socket, and so I experienced none of the difficulties others reported. The software is easy to use, and as has been pointed out before, the saved data files can be opened in Microsoft Excel if you'd like a wider range of configurations and more tools. One thing I would note, the COM port needs to be set to COM1(Baud rate 2400); mine came set on COM2 and it will not function until you select COM1.
As has often been pointed out, the printed manual leaves much to be desired, being a single folded sheet. However there is an excellent users' manual included on the CD that covers not only in-depth instructions for the RS232 interface, but also includes an in-depth users' manual for multimeter itself.
The TP4000ZC can measure AC/DC current up to 10 amps, and has an accurate temperature function that is enhanced when used with the RS232 interface and selecting "K TYPE" causing it to automatically calibrate the readings on the display and the recorded files according to the standard for the K Type thermocouple being used. Temperature measurements appear to be extremely accurate. Also you can select readings in Fahrenheit or Centigrade when using the interface. The TP4000ZC also checks Diodes, measures Capacitors to 100uF, Resistance to 40 MOhms, checks Continuity, measures Frequency from 10Hz to 10MHz, DC Voltage 400mV to 600V, and AC Voltage 4V to 600V.
The meter is fully protected with two separate fuses. It is rugged and well made and the red boot is a very attractive addition that also provides some protection.
It could have been improved with a back-lighted display but the TP4000ZC is hard to fault beyond that. Overall it is a great value for the money. The RS232 interface alone is worth far more than the cost.
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OK for the price
My First impressions: Positive things: Meter uses two "AA" size batteries (I don't like 9V batteries!) Meter is an auto ranging meter (not manual ranging like cheaper meters). Input impedance is 10 MOhm and has a 3-3/4 digit display. RS232 connectivity sounds like an interesting feature, although I have not tested it yet Meter comes with rubber slip-on protector (Like another reviewer pointed out it's red instead of yellow). The slip-on has holders on the back for the probes to clip onto for storage (although the leads would still dangle around) Meter also comes with probes, thermocouple for temp measurements, RS232 cable, software CD and "generic" batteries (although the first thing I would do is replace the included batteries with alkaline AAs) Meter can measure: AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current up to 10 amps, Resistance up to 40 MOhms, Diode test, Continuity, Temperature Capacitance up to 100uF. Note that the manual warns it may take up to 15 seconds to test/display a 100uF capacitor. Some other meters can measure higher value capacitors > 100uF, although I think testing large electrolytic capacitors with any multimeter may not give accurate results. (I have seen bad electrolytic caps test good with the cap test on multimeters) Frequency 10Hz to 10MHz (according to the manual) as well as Duty Cycle (0.1% to 99.9%) The case quality and buttons are better than I expected, I don't think the build quality is bad for the price. Negative things: The continuity beeper is too quiet, especially in noisy environments. The LCD display is NOT backlit. This is a drawback if you work in dark places as the display would be unreadable unless holding a flashlight but your two hands are typically holding the probes. The "instruction manual" is a joke. It's a folded piece of paper, with really small print. However if you're considering buying this you most likely know how to use a multimeter. Overall it's an OK meter for the price. If you know how to use a multimeter and only occasionally need to use one this one will probably fit the bill. If you use one on a more-or-less daily basis, in noisy or dark places then you might consider a better (more expensive) meter. A slightly more expensive alternative to this TekPower meter is Mastech AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter, MS8268 This Mastech meter appears to have a backlit display, can test hFE (transistor gain) which the TekPower cannot, and has an input jack warning feature so you have some protection against doing something dumb like trying to measure voltage with the probes in the current measurement jacks (if you do this you may blow the meter's internal fuse and will have to open it up to replace it)
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2013
For the price, this meter can't be beat! It's accurate, reliable and comes with everything you need to use all the functions. While not $100 silicon leads, the wires on the probes that come with this little meter actually have a nice feel to them. The temperature probe is about the size of a meat thermometer with nice strain relief, which is much better than the cheap "pill" type probes that come with more expensive meters. They even include the RS232 cable!
Instead of a $90 meter, buy 3 of these!
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2013
In my lab, I use three of these babies along side my primary 500,000 count Brymen unit. It's a very cost effective way to datalog multiple parts of circuit; just grab a Quad USB-to-Serial adapter, load up QtDMM and you're in business. I've even written some custom software that controls my Korad programmable power supply based on readings from these meters, which really works brilliantly. (I can set triggers, so if the voltage dips below a certain point the power supply will increase the voltage, or to have the power supply replay a recording the meter made.) I'm also prototyping an add-on board for the Raspberry Pi that uses multiple MAX3107 chips to add additional RS232 interfaces via I2C (or SPI) so I can connect these meters (and power supplies) directly up. Anyway, I digress...
My point is, for someone just starting out in electronics, getting two or three of these meters will serve you much better than buying a $60 or $90 unit. The ability to simultaneously test your circuit at multiple points (and even log that data) is an amazing ability to have.
If you're not convinced, check out M.J. Lorton's review of this unit on YouTube. Oh yeah, as much as I love Amazon I'd recommend you check eBay for this unit first, there's a nice seller who's offering these meters with your choice of a red or blue holster, gold plated probes *and* a real USB cable for the same price Amazon has it, though it does ship out of China. eBay username is f-t-2000 (99cent hobbies).
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2015
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- ObserverReviewed in Canada on January 25, 2014
TP4000ZC Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter
