The Amprobe PK-110 is an affordable testing kit for electricians and hobbyists. It features a multimeter, voltage stick and socket tester and is good for picking up electrical faults in the home and RV. Typical checks include presence of voltage in a socket, checking wiring continuity, and circuit breaker.
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Key Features
Meter
– Measure AC/DC voltage, DC low current
– Test resistance, capacitance
– Perform continuity, diode checks
– Perform battery tests: 1.5V/9V
– Check RV socket outlets: to 50A
– UL listed
– Size: 4.5″ (115mm) x 2.6″ (65mm) x 1.6″ (40mm)
– Weight: 0.61lb (275g)
Socket Tester
– GFCI / RCD tests
Voltage Stick
– EF detection
– Test for ‘hot skin’
Included
- Amprobe AM-420 Multimeter
- VP-1000 Voltage Detector
- ST-102B Socket Tester
- Batteries (9V, AAA)
- Instruction manual
More Details of the Amprobe PK-110
AM-420 Multimeter
The AM-420 is the main part of the Amprobe PK-110 package. It is a lower end, compact multimeter that is okay for lightweight electrical troubleshooting duties. It is good for checking basic things like sockets, lights, cords and batteries and comes with a safety rating of CAT-II to 250V.
As this is a manual ranging meter, it might take a bit of getting used to at first as you’ll need to select the individual ranges to correspond with the ‘value size’ of the subject. Auto range meters will do this automatically. While you can check batteries with the DC voltage range, the dedicated battery checker puts batteries under more load and has better resolution for more accurate results.
This meter is okay for electronics work too, with a DC amperage range that extends from 200µA to 200mA. It does not have an AC amperage range, however, so you can’t test mains current. There is also no capacitance range, but you can test resistance (to 2MΩ), continuity and diodes.
METER SPECS
| RANGE | ACCURACY | RESOLUTION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC voltage | 200V | ±(1.5%+4) | 0.1V |
| AC voltage | 250V | ±(2.0%+4) | 1V |
| DC voltage | 200mV / 250V | ±(1.2%+2) @ 200mV-200V | 0.1mV-0.1V |
| DC current | 200µA / 200mA | ±(2.5%+4) @ 2mA-200mA | 0.1µA-0.1mA |
| Resistance | 200Ω / 2MΩ | ±(1.5%+5) @ 200Ω-200kΩ | 0.1Ω-0.001MΩ |
| Battery test | 1.5V / 9V | ±(8.0%+1) | 0.001V-0.01V |
| Diode test | 1.5V | 1mV | |
Voltage Detector
The VP-1000 is a non-contact sensor able to pick up power in socket outlets, cords, switches and circuit breakers, etc, without coming into contact with any wiring. It is good for AC voltages of between 90V and 1000V, is double insulated and features LEDs to show when voltage is detected. These are especially good for picking up ‘hot skin’ scenarios on an RV’s chassis.
Socket Tester
The ST-102B will check the functionality of GFCI (RCDs) and associated wiring by plugging in and pushing a button. It can test RV outlets to 50A and can display a number of fault conditions through a series of LEDs. These are shown on the unit and include:
- open-hot
- open-neutral
- open-ground
- hot/ground-reverse
- hot/neutral-reverse
Build Quality
Amprobe is one of the best known test equipment manufacturers. They typically produce good quality products and you get three tools in one in this package. Build quality is okay and the meter has an integrated boot where all corners protected from drops. The leads are hard wired leads, which, although it is generally better to have detachable, banana plug-type ones, is fine as it only tests low DC current.
Function and Display
Being a manual ranger, the PK-110’s test meter has a 360-degree dial selector switch, with each range position marked on the interface. Ranges are color coded. There is also a hold button to freeze the present reading on the display. The AM-420 meter display is 2000-count with a refresh rate of two to three times per second. There is no backlight. Battery life is around 100 hours.
Protection
The meter is CAT-II safety rated to 250V, with the voltage stick rated at CAT-IV 1000V. While you could use the stick in an industrial setting, the meter is only good for lower voltage (single phase) testing, such as for socket outlets, appliances and vehicle wiring.
The meter is fused (315mA) and needs to be disassembled to replace the fuse and the 9V battery.
Roundup
The Amprobe PK-110 is an okay set for lower voltage wiring around the home or RV. It is ideal for testing outlets and switches, with the socket tester able to show wiring faults and check outlets backed by GFCI / RCD devices. There are better kits out there for more substantial tasks, albeit more expensive, but the PK-110 is ideal for the DIYer as well as for domestic electricians.
