The Fieldpiece HS33 is an expandable stick multimeter. A manual ranger, it has been around for a few years and is good for both entry level electricians as well as for professional HVAC engineers. This nicely styled device has many features and can measure AC and DC volts, AC amps, capacitance and temperature. A selection of detachable heads from Fieldpiece increase functionality.
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Key Features
- Changeable heads – includes amp clamp
- Manual ranging
- Measures AC/DC voltage
- Measures AC amps
- Measures capacitance
- Temperature compensation
- Non-contact voltage detection
- MIN / MAX
- Data hold
- Silicone leads with detachable probe tips
What’s Included?
- 400A amp clamp
- Test leads
- Alligator clips
- 9V battery
- Meter case
- Operator’s manual – Fieldpiece HS33 online manual here
In-depth Review of the Fieldpiece HS33
Built for HVAC, the Fieldpiece HS33 has most of the useful criteria to perform tests on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning kit, to include temperature with quick compensation. It is a complete multimeter, with voltage scales and AC current (with the included amp clamp). You can also check resistance, capacitance and perform continuity and diode tests and there is a handy non-contact voltage detector built in.
The Fieldpiece HS33 stick multimeter comes complete with a type K thermocouple. Note: you can also purchase dual temperature and superheat/sub-cooling heads, among others.
It is shaped to fit better in the hand than the typical tester – long and thin – which is handy when wedged in some tight space or attic. There are also rubber corners to prevent damage and the leads are decent quality with detachable alligator clips.
Fieldpiece Stick Meter Head Accessories
One of the big pluses in going with a stick meter by Fieldpiece is expandability. Users have the opportunity to turn a one-piece multimeter into a veritable plethora of devices through the availability of a collection of detachable heads. There’s a choice of 15 (including the amp clamp), measuring everything from temperature and vacuum to high voltage and CO2 levels. All heads slide right onto the HS33.
Extra heads listing:
- Air velocity and temperature – AAV3
- Carbon monoxide detector – ACM4
- Charging jacket for TXV systems – S365
- Combustion checker with auto pump – SOX3
- Dual port manometer – ADMN2
- Dual temperature – ATH4
- Digital vacuum micron gauge – AVG2
- Heated diode refrigerant leak detector – SRL8
- In-duct diagnostic psychrometer – SRH3
- Manometer – AMN2
- Oxygen and carbon dioxide – AOX2
- Psychrometer – ARH5
- Superheat & sub-cooling – ASX14
- Wireless electronic handle – EH4W
SPECS
| Range | accuracy | resolution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC volts | 200mV / 200V | ±(0.5%+1) | 0.1mV |
| AC volts | 200mV / 600V | ±(1.2%+3), ±(2.0%+5) @ 600V | 0.1mV |
| Resistance | 200Ω / 200kΩ | ±(1.0%+4) | 0.1Ω |
| Temperature °F | -30 to 200°F | ±(1%+1.5°F) @-4-200°F | 0.1°F |
| Capacitance | 200μF | ±(3%+5) | 0.1μF |
| Diode test | ∼1.0mA | ±(1.5%+3) | |
While a good meter and the accuracy is there, the Fieldpiece HS33 is lacking some important features that an HVAC engineer would need, such as micro-amps and backlight. It is superseded by others in this series.
Build Quality
This is a pretty good quality device nonetheless. Fieldpiece is not Fluke, but their kit typically stands up well in the field. The leads are of the silicone type and have detachable heads so you can plug in the included alligator clips. Rubberized corners protect the case against knocks and drops.
Replacement parts include alligator extensions, thermocouple and case, plus there is the choice of all those heads.
Display: The unlit screen is a bit on the small side and is just 3½-digit, which translates to 1999 counts. This is not big resolution but will be okay on run-of-the-mill HVAC and electrical jobs.
Function and Performance
Along with basic multimeter test scales are the non-contact voltage detector, which will pick up AC voltage down to 24V. It shows via a light and increasingly loud beeper – good for thermostats, light switches and breakers etc. There’s also a high voltage indicator, data hold, and MIN/MAX.
An auto power-down function helps to save the battery some, but which takes an hour or so to kick in after non-use. Battery life is said to be around 200-300 hours. Safety rating is to Cat-III 600V.
It performs fairly well, albeit lacking in speed. More demanding, close measurements might be beyond the HS33 – both resistance and capacitance scales are on the thin side and you’ll need an extra head to measure high temperature ranges. The Fieldpiece HS33 is also manual ranging, so you need to set the scale.
Pros and Cons
PROS
- Okay features/functions
- Expandable – choice of heads
- Includes amp clamp head
- Good customer support
CONS
- Display not backlit
- Doesn’t measure micro-amps
- Case strap a bit short
- Needs wider test ranges
- Device is long when heads attached
Conclusion
The Fieldpiece HS33 is a well priced multimeter for starters and pros who are looking for a device that has the ability to measure all sorts of parameters. It does this via extra heads. The omission of screen backlight will dissuade some, no doubt, and it also lacks micro-amps (for checking flame sensors).
Alternatives: Check out the more advanced HS35 and the backlit HS36, both by Fieldpiece. Many look to Fluke when researching Fieldpiece – the Fluke 325 being a good alternative. It is more compact and durable, albeit double the price and you can’t change heads.