The Klein MM1000 is a no-mess, solid multimeter for the electrician and is easy enough to use for non-electricians. This is a proper meter with auto ranging, intuitive dial selector and a good enough complement of features so that most trades can get a lot use out of it, from electronics to plant maintenance, home DIY and vehicle tech.
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The MM1000 can measure standard ranges, such as voltage and current, resistance and continuity, along with capacitance, frequency and temperature. As with other Klein Tools, it is sturdily built, and is reliable, fairly accurate, has a clear backlit screen and even ships with screw-on alligator clips. This Klein MM1000 review also details the high category rating of this unit, to CATIV, making it safe to use in an industrial environment with full protection.
Key Features
- Auto / manual ranging
- Backlit display
- CATIV rated
- Bar graph
- Rubber casing
- *Relative setting
- *MAX/MIN mode
- Auto-shutoff
- Data Hold
- *Measures temperature
Included
- Multimeter
- 36” test leads
- Alligator clips
- x2AAA batteries
- Manual – English, Spanish, French
- Thermocouple lead (temperature measurement)
- Size: 7” (178 mm) x 3.5” (89 mm) x 1.9” (48 mm)
- Weight: 14oz (397g)
In-depth Review of the Klein MM1000
This is a good looking multimeter, with nice lines, solid design and many positive features. It aspires to the Fluke brand and can do as much as their comparable models, but at a fraction of the price. The most important criteria for many is its CATIV rating (to 600V) and CATIII rating (to 1000V). It is thus safe for testing mains ‘power’ circuits, with a well designed circuit board and internal baffles.
SOME SPECS
- AC / DC voltage can be tested to 1000V
- AC / DC current can test continuous to 10A
- AC / DC milliamp and micro-amp (from 0.1µA) ranges.
- Resistance ranges: up to 40MΩ
- Capacitance ranges (low/high): 40nF to 4000µF
NOTE: the diode tester puts out 2V, which might be a bit low for testing white LEDs.
The continuity checker is particularly quick on this multimeter, as is its bar graph which can be handy for when viewing rapidly changing values.
ACCURACY
| RANGE | ACCURACY | RESOLUTION | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC voltage | 400mV / 1000V | ±(0.5%+4) @400V | 0.1mV / 1V |
| AC voltage | 400mV / 1000V | ±(0.75%+5) @400V | 0.1mV / 1V |
| DC current | 400µA / 10A | ±(1.0%+5) @400mA | 0.1 µA / 10mA |
| AC current | 400µA / 10A | ±(1.5%+5) @400mA | 0.1 µA / 10mA |
| Resistance | 400Ω / 40MΩ | ±(1.0%+5) @4MΩ | 0.1Ω / 10kΩ |
| Capacitance | 40nF / 4000µF | ±(3.5%+6) | 0.01nF / 1µF |
| Frequency | 9.999Hz / 999.9kHz | ±(0.1%+3) | 0.001Hz / 0.1kHz |
| Duty cycle | 0.1% / 99.9% | ±(0.2% per kHz +0.1%+5) | 0.1% |
| Temperature | -58°F / 1832°F | ±(3.0%+5.4°F) | 0.1 / 1°F |
| Diode test | 2V | ||
*Extra Features
The Klein Tools MM1000 multimeter has several worthy features that you don’t get on all meters, such as relative and temperature functions.
REL
This feature will show relative readings between a previously stored value and a present reading and displays it as a plus or minus value. Example: if you are checking how much voltage fluctuates, hit REL and the display will then determine how much the value changes. You can also test low value resistance/capacitance components with this feature, by zeroing the multimeter and thus removing the natural resistance from the probes and test leads.
MAX/MIN
You can also save the actual value with that fluctuating signal with the max/min function, to observe the largest and smallest measurements readings.
TEMPERATURE
A type K banana thermocouple comes with the Klein MM1000 for measuring Fahrenheit and centigrade. This is a good feature for general temperature measurements, but is not very accurate so shouldn’t be relied upon for precise values. Accuracy for temperature is ±3%.
Other features include a manual hold button, a duty cycle range on the frequency input position and an auto power-off that powers down the device after 30 minutes of not being used.
Design
Klein Tools equipment is typically well designed and tough and the MM1000 is no exception. It has a nice, sweeping body protected by a rubber holster, and a solid dial selector which can be turned with one hand when the meter is laid down. On the back is a fairly solid tilting bail and lead holder.
A main plus is the battery compartment, accessed by one screw. This is separate from the main enclosure, so that you can independently get at the AAA batteries and the HRC fuses for the amperage circuits. This alone is a dead giveaway for quality design, while the interior has appropriate protection for it to be classified in the CATIV range for 600V.
Display and Labels
The display covers the top third of the multimeter and has large digits and 3999 count resolution (or 3 3/4 digits). This screen is fine when viewed off square, where some other meters might wash out. Sample rate of the readings is three times per second. There is also a handy backlight, which is very bright and uniform across the display.
The Klein MM1000 has a bar graph underneath that shows an ‘analog’ representation of the current readout. It covers the full span of a given input range and has a much higher resolution/refresh rate than the digits. In short, in this Klein MM1000 review, everything is well laid out, with intuitive units on the nine-position dial selector.
Function and Performance
Voltage, amperage, milliamps and microamps each have their own input position. To go between AC and DC, for example, simply hit the SELECT button. Those in car repair might find this a slight hassle, since the default voltage is AC. Resistance, capacitance, continuity and diode checks are typically on the same input position. Frequency (Hz) and duty cycle (%) also share a position, as do °F and °C.
This unit performs very well, with a fairly quick auto range and the ability to switch between auto and manual ranging. The dial input selector is solid, with very definite positions.
BUTTONS
REL: relative mode
RANGE: flits between auto ranging and manual ranging
MAX/MIN: displays a high and low reading
HOLD / Backlight: lock a reading and turn on the backlight
SELECT: switch between additional features on a given input range
JACKS
There are four jack sockets on this multimeter.
A (amps)
mA/µA (milliamps/micro-amps)
COM (common)
V/Ω/Hz/Temp (main terminal)
Protection
The Klein Tools MM1000 is quite solid and is tough enough to be used in industry, where conditions can be harsh – rated to IP20 ingress protection. It features a nice rubber holster that just feels good in hand and helps better protect from drops – rated to 6.6’ (2m).
The rubber boot must be removed to get to the battery, but the MM1000 is one of those meters that has been well designed, with its separate battery / fuse compartment. This not only saves time and effort, it also protects the circuit board in the unlikely event of a catastrophic fuse blowout.
The fuses are the high quality ceramic High Rupture Capacity (HRC) type. The milliamp/micro-amp circuit is protected by a 440mA HRC fuse and the main amperage circuit by an 11A HRC fuse. Overload protection is to 1000 V, with meter input impedance at 10MΩ. The circuit board itself has thick, high-current traces, high quality components and professional soldering.
Who is it Best Suited To?
This meter will suit electricians, electronics engineers, automotive technicians, DIYers and trainees. Although a serious unit, it will suit beginners just as much as professionals, since it is intuitive and as easy, if not easier, to use than the starter meters. Regards auto technicians, it is okay for testing battery draw, unless perhaps you have a major fault or try to start the engine with the meter still hooked up.
Klein MM1000 Pros and Cons
PROS
- Lots of features
- Auto ranging
- Auto-range override
- Includes a temperature probe
- Bright backlight
- Big screen
- Solid and rugged
- Not made in China
CONS
Some of these are not a big deal, but I have nonetheless included some concerns:
- Stock test leads could be better
- Fuses are quite pricey
- Average (not ‘TRUE’) RMS
Roundup
From the Klein MM1000 review, this tester is a serious contender to Fluke multimeters, with a host of well thought out features and a rugged quality that is generally only seen with the high end meter manufacturers. It appeals to those in most electrical trades. If you don’t have the budget for a Fluke or Gossen, certainly consider this.
In addition, there are useful extras, such as a carry case that will hold the meter, probe leads and thermocouple set.