Fuse for UT61E???

[onesixright]

Hi All,

Im kind of stumped. I have a UT61E multimeter. The fuse was already broken out of the box (for mA). I thought no big deal, fetch a couple of fuses around the corner and that its.  Guess not

A few hours looking to get some fuses, i can't find it.  The manual says it should be replaced with a BS1362 (1A). Now it seems this is equivalent to a TDC180-1. Is this true?

Is there anything else i could replace it with (without a risk of blowing up the meter)? I could only find these fuses for  either 10 EUR (per one, ok little less, but still pretty expensive!) or cheaper and then with  5-8 EUR shipping.  Its seems so simple, but yet….

Then i stumbled on this  thread
 

If you want a meter with cheap fuses, get a UT61E. They use BS1362 fuses. Ten a penny, and more than adequate for electronics work (don't try 200VDC 10A unless you're very, very sure you know what you're doing, but..).

from: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/beware-the-price-of-some-fluke-fuse-replacement/

10 for a penny?? 

What am i missing?

Thanks!

[Fsck]

BS1362s is a standard I believe, for that size of fuse used in those UK plugs.  TDC180 is a cooper bussmann series. as long as the sizes match (which they do), it'll fit.
but if you do use that type of fuse, I believe they're relatively (rel power distribution) low rated, both in voltage and breaking capacity. the fuse size is: 6.30mm x 25.40mm
if the fuse is too small, all you need is to add something conductive to each side of the fuse clamps, or just jam it in.

The TDC180-1's are like 2.5$ CAD/u or 22.95$/10u etc. etc at digikey. as others have said, this meter is definitely not for use in high power or even high voltage circuits. they appear to be rated only to 240V (264 max) AC and 6kA breaking capacity.
However, for most electronics (which are low powered and low voltages), you won't find yourself accidently shorting anywhere near that much current.

could always look for Siba fuses (dunno what their prices are like within the EU, but over here, they're 10-25$/u for the 30-40kA breaking capacity DMM fuses, vs 5-7$/u for 20kA cooper-bussmann 20kA breaking capacity fuses.

[mariush]

You don't say where you are so...

In Europe, you could go for something like this: http://goo.gl/4UWQhL  (Farnell link, it's a mile long so i made it short)

As you can see they're 6.3 x 32mm so a bit longer than 26mm  but they should still fit in the multimeter. If needed you can just get some aluminum/copper foil to extend the contact ends (or just bend the leads if you get them with leads)

[onesixright]

Thank you both.

I live in Czech Republic, i finally found a store that has the TDC180-1A. I will try that. 5 for 95 CZK (=USD 4,90). 

Farnell i have seen, but then you get the shipping costs (some for some UK ebay shops). For something that fits in the mailbox.  Im really 'stunned' what some companies charge for a few 'simple' fuses.  More over, the shop around the corner sells the multimeter, but if you ask them for a fuse they don't have it 

For anyone else interested: http://www.ges.cz/en/ff-1-0-a-6-4x25-4-tdc180-GES07900918.html

[Monkeh]

The fuses are standard and easily obtained in the UK, if you'd like some just let me know and we'll work it out. 10 of each would probably be around 160 CZK posted.

I believe they're relatively (rel power distribution) low rated, both in voltage and breaking capacity.

250VAC, 6kA. ~30VDC at a few hundred amps easily, too, but generally unspecified. Not really a problem, if you're venturing past that with a cheap meter you deserve it anyway.

[onesixright]

@Monkey, thank you! Thats super.

I just  ordered a few TDC180's, let me check on them see how it works. If not, i PM you.

[mimmus78]

Don't think is safe to add copper or aluminium foil to adapt a different size fuse to the meter.

Good fit and contact is fundamental for safety.

[Fsck]

Don't think is safe to add copper or aluminium foil to adapt a different size fuse to the meter.

Good fit is fundamental for safety.

if it was a cat 3 or higher environment, I would agree. we're talking low voltage cat 1 here and maybe the occasional measurement of mains. even if you used the glass fuses versus the UK HRC-types, you'll probably still be safe.

[mimmus78]

Yes but I feel bad contacts can heat up and maybe catch fire ...

[Fsck]

Yes but I feel bad contacts can heat up and maybe catch fire ...

no contact with fuse = open circuit.

[mimmus78]

I'm talking about bad contacts (with high resistance) not open circuit.

[onesixright]

Hmm, i unscrewed the box to remove the fuse. Guess what?

It has a 550mA / 600V fuse? However the manual clear says:

A mA range: F1, 1A H 240V, 6x25mm (CE)
10A range: F2, 10A H 240V, 6x25 mm. (CE)

So whats right? 


Maybe made sense after all it blew.

[mimmus78]

I think you have the european version of the meter ... the GS approved one.

[onesixright]

Well, thats true i bought in in Germany.  But does it matter what fuse i will use? I other (conform the manual) the  1A version.

What do you mean by GS approved?

a fuse…. how difficult can it be 

[mimmus78]

There are two version of this meter ... search in this forum/site there is a lot of info about this argument.

What is the real length of the fuses (not the one stated on the manual)?

[onesixright]

Damn, yes the real fuse is 31mm. 

Is there any indicator on the meter to see which version i have?

[mimmus78]

Because of the big fuse, I think you have this version with the GS logo:

http://www.batronix.com/shop/multimeter/multimeter-ut61e.html

but the pdf manual in this site is still the one for the non GS version.

Don't know where to download the correct manual for the GS version.

May you take a photo of the meter (in and out)?

[Owen]

Don't know where to download the correct manual for the GS version.

He can download the manual for the GS version at pinsonne-elektronik.de. The page is in german only but if you scroll down to "Download Manual and SPECS", you can download the english manual.

[onesixright]

@owen, thank you.

Its the same manual, it states it needs a 1A fuse (while the GS has a 0.5A).

your link contains some quotes, could you update it?

[Owen]

@owen, thank you.

Its the same manual, it states it needs a 1A fuse (while the GS has a 0.5A).

your link contains some quotes, could you update it?

Thank you, i've removed the quotation marks. It's actually very similar i think except the fuses (GS version: HOLLY, model: 6FF-1 - 0.5A@600V, HC10aR - 10A @600V) and the downgraded voltage and cat rating of course. But i'm still wondering why Uni-T is saying that you only have 15 s for a current measurement over 5 A and you have to wait at least 15 min for another one?

[onesixright]

Alright, some pictures. Indeed a GS approved version!.

Funny thing is that  the electronic store around the cornet has the 0.5A  (6.3mmx32mm) fuse! For 0.65 EUR each. Thats seems a more normal price.

Guess its working now! 

[em132]

3x PTCs and 4x MOVs??

Damn!