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    Written by: Kiriakos A. Triantafillou, Industrial maintenance electrician, Hellas. (2012 -> 2023 -> 2025)
Digital Multimeter, Clamp on meter, Oscilloscope, Electronic component testing tools.

BRYMEN BM079 clamp meter review – By the eye of the Industrial electrician.  


Written By Kiriakos Triantafillou – Greece    7 November © 2015

Part – 1 intro


Part – 2 Quick introductions of BM070 series


Part – 3 BM079 impressions as solo clamp meter


Part – 4 BM079 impressions as multimeter


Part – 5 LCD display / switch selector / accessories


Part – 6 Additional features / Non contact EF  / Motor & phase rotation  


Part – 7 ITTSB comments over the design


Part – 8 Conclusions

Part – 1: intro


Back in 17 June 2014, ITTSB Blog this released the product review of BRYMEN BM189 clamp meter.

This product found to be excellent in many ways for the target group of people which they need but occasionally, one reliable tool for professional AC/DC current measurements’.

This is VFD ready, Very compact size, sliding type of selector switch, complete multimeter functionality and Data logging as option.

Generally speaking most vendors’ problem when they design a clamp meter, this is for them to avoid creating a huge clamp meter which will look as to be one 18th century sword.

It is a major challenge of how to shrink down one such a product by retaining the easy to use part in this product design equation.


Originally I thought that BRYMEN BM070 series this is almost a sister product to BM180 series regarding most electrical specifications.

This detail made me hesitate to request and a BM070 product sample from BRYMEN, but the company almost encouraged me in the direction to perform this new road test, possibly because this new product series comes with another concept.

Now I am fully convinced that this BM070 series it does follow another concept.


BM070 product series comes with product design and features aiming exclusively field electricians specialised at electric motor installation and troubleshooting.

Therefore BRYMEN made new specific product design choices here regarding electrical specifications and pack of features’.


Therefore this new product review will focus on what this BM079 clamp meter is able to do, and my BM189 clamp meter will be used only as confirmation point when ever this is needed.

Part – 2 Quick introductions of BM070 series


BM070 series comes with six models and these can be quickly separated in three major categories according to their important features.

a) AC Jaws: BM 076, 073, 072 = 30mm conductor size, Ultra slim 600A

b) AC/DC Jaws: BM 079, 078, and 077

c)  3 phase rotation function including Mains supply detection, and also a sensitive mode in which by hand motor shaft rotation at specified direction it can determine proper phases sequence too.

d) Back lighted LCD:  079, 078, and 076

  

A major feature in all this series is the rugged plastic body which this regarding chemistry has partially non-flammable properties’ and BRYMEN describe this as fire retarded casing.

BRYMEN have also secured their products by adding transient protection up to 6kV.

Test leads input are CAT III 600V or CAT IV at 300V, and all general functions are also protected due input protection up to 600V AC/DC.   

  

Common functions shared in all models are:

1) VFD Motor 0-400Hz electronic filter

2) AmpTip (low current range for slim conductors)   

3) Record mode:  Max Min Average

4) Non contact EF detection

5) Diode test 2V, continuity, Ohms measurement.

6) Line level ACV frequency measurement at 5Hz up to 999.9Hz (1 kHz)


  

BM070 series this has 6,000 counts display with an update rate of 5 times per second nominal and four digits as Liquid Crystal Display resolution.

Volts & Ampere Max range:

ACV & DCV 600.0V

ACA & DCA 600.0A (AmpTip = Max range up to 60A)

Ohms:  60k Ohm (max)  



Other special functions are available at specific models.

DC+AC voltage plus digital Low pass filter:  BM079 & BM078

DC+AC current with regular jaws or AmpTip: BM079 & BM078

Peak RMS ACV+ACA: BM079, BM078, BM076

Capacitance measurements’: BM079, BM078, BM076, BM073

DC Micro Ampere range up to 2000 uA: BM079, BM076

Temperature -40C ~ +400C: BM079, BM076


Product dimensions 223x76x37 mm (at models with 35 mm Jaws) and the weight is at 234 grams.

Models with 30mm Jaws are 217mm long and their weight is 186 grams.

Part – 3 BM079 impressions as solo clamp meter


Definably and unquestionably the exterior design of this BM079 is made with significant thought regarding ergonomics (human factors).

At the back side, this back plate is oval shaped and holding it with your palm seems totally natural.

At both sides of BM079, BRYMEN added six protruding lines over the casing so them to work as non slippery surface, and this works in favor of handling by not looking annoying either.


The quality of plastics covering the jaws this is real good, and it can directly compete with quality of plastics usually seen at most expensive similar products from other vendors.


The main body of this clamp is made by resistant to flames plastic, and even by having reviewed four BRYMEN products up to date, I just now realised that BRYMEN keeps the same high quality standards’ about quality of plastics in all their product series.

Regarding measurements’ with it, my feelings them are some how mixed, I did note some differences which some seem as close to significant ones, and others as less significant.


BRYMEN is known that regarding electronics it does have their own R&D about making their own electronic chip which they become the hart of their instruments.

The first impression which BM079 gives to the end user this is acceptable over all performance but with obvious limits.


At ACA even after measuring few Ampere the clamp meter this returns to almost zero much faster compared to BM189.

This it can be explained because BM189 this using it electronic chips so them to multitask by measuring two electrical parameters simultaneously, as for example: Ampere + Hz, when this BM079 it does using all chip computing power by executing mostly single measurements’.


What it does looking as interesting find is the influence which this BM079 jaws causing to the measurement regarding the direction of current flow, especially at AC Ampere measurements.

No matter if using AmpTip or regular jaws mode, BM079 at 6A measurement will measure about 120 ~ 150mA less when the clamp meter jaws position gets reversed.

And this is something which I can not justify or explain.

For example at measuring 6.65A at the one direction this measured 6.80A when clamp meter positioning this was reversed.


At similar tests with BM189 this did not shown such behaviour, and I tested this at 4A and at 35A.   


At DCA this Relative-Zero button this does a good job, other than setting the clamp meter in to a perfect zero relatively fast, I must say that regarding build quality of all front push buttons this is quit good.


Hold button this is life savour feature when BM079 this takes measurements at positioning which the LCD display this is not able to be viewed.

All that you need to do is holding BM079 by having also a finger resting over the hold button,  after this been in place and after this measuring for 3~4 seconds you do press Hold button, and your measurement this is stored so you to review.   


Now at DCA measurements’ I did one comparison of AmpTip jaws mode versus the regular jaws mode, so to discover their differences.

The differences are not major to the point so me to get impressed.

My testing setup this was including BM869 multimeter in line with my DC power supply and recorded measurements’ by BM079 + AmpTip and BM079 + regular jaws and also by using BM189 as comparison point.

The idea is me to see how all of them compare at very low current measurements’.




BM869 DMM --- BM079 --- BM079 AmpTip --- BM189

250 mA --------- 00.20 ---- 00.27 -------------- 00.30A

276 mA --------- 00.22 ---- 00.30 -------------- 00.32A

290 mA --------- 00.24 ---- 00.31 -------------- 00.33A

334 mA --------- 00.28 ---- 00.36 -------------- 00.39A

400 mA --------- 00.34 ---- 00.42 -------------- 00.42A

535 mA --------- 00.44 ---- 00.52 -------------- 00.53A

2.52 Ampere --- 2.52A ---- 2.52A -------------- 2.52A


At the next test BM079 were tested alone regarding direction of current flow and how this influences the measurement, at DCA 6.01A and this measured 06.00A and at polarity reversed this measure 06.09A.

This is close to 10mA higher when measuring negative DC.


BM189 when this tested alone even by me reversing the jaws placement this measured identically 3.80 / -3.80A and even 34 / -34.



VFD filter & BM079 total Bandwidth WARNING by BRYMEN:

Do not use the meter to measure currents above the rated frequency (400Hz).

Circulating currents may cause the magnetic circuits of the Jaws reach a hazardous temperature.


ITTSB accepts this note as advice which this targets to prolong equipment life cycle of this meter, and definably most or all inverters & VFD applications them are not restricted or affected by this note.

It is well understood that this warning this has to do at measuring several hundreds of ampere.  

Part – 4 BM079 impressions as multimeter


BM079 is a clamp on meter that comes with very good specifications’ regarding measurements’ per second update, but this also comes with only auto range.

There is no manual range selection.


Auto range function this always requires some time to initialise, if this is slow? Then this add several milliseconds’ of delay in the process of the instrument so this delivering the result of a measurement.  


Another parameter which this influences’ total time needed at taking a measurement, this is also the sensitivity of internal electronics at measuring low volts.

When a meter this has decreased sensitivity the result is that the measurement this happens almost instantly but accuracy is not valid right away, eventually this needs several additional seconds so to stabilize.


BM079 is capable measuring several electrical parameters, some using a single range and some others them using more than one range.


For example: DCV, ACV, AmpTip TM clamp-on DC+ACA, and DCµ µA (micro Ampere, all of them working by using a single range.

In contrast:  Ohm, capacitance, and Regular Clamp-on ACA, them they operate with auto range.



BM079 DC Voltage

This is a single range 0~600V.

BM079 shown major delay at measuring right away any voltage lowers than 2V.

Measurement accuracy this restored at 3~4 seconds total time.

At 2 Volt DC and above, BM079 behaves much better, the over all time for taking a measurement this goes down to 1 second.


Another somewhat unexpected behaviour is that at DCV mode, BM079 this does slow down when DCV value this instantly increase/decrease.

This behaviour simile with slow multimeter's which them have only 2.5 times display update rate.

I did my testing at the range of 12V up to 35V and therefore I would not expect to see such a limitation there.

 

AC Voltage (with Digital Low-Pass Filter)

This is a single range 0~600V.

BM079 shown a major delay at measuring right away any voltage lowers than 20V and even above that always there is a delay of 3~4 seconds so the measurement to stabilize.

I did my first comparison by using a wide voltages range starting from 1 to 150V by combining my frequency generator with a step-up metal core transformer.


At 230 V Mains, the behaviour of BM079 this improves, always compared regarding speed with a FLUKE 28II (or 87V) when this working at manual 600V range.

Speaking about performance this BM079 definably disappointed me, as it seems capable for 2.5 times update per second, when 28II this shown capable for 4 times update per second.


BM079 this have VFD electronic filter always active, and at my comparison with FLUKE 28 II I did activate it Low pass filter too, so my comparison to be fair.



BM079 VFD electronic filter benchmark

At my benchmark discovered that the specific VFD electronic filter this behaves differently always compared with the VFD filter at BM869 multimeter.

Side by side testing shown that from 50Hz ~ 400Hz this BM079 gives identical measurements’ with BM869 and this is welcomed news.

But from the supposed cut-off frequency of 600Hz up to 1 kHz the potentials of this filter weakens and this is not good news.


Bellow is a table of voltages at several frequencies’, BM869 multimeter when this was reviewed, it VFD filter this shown as second best behind FLUKE 28II.

Therefore this is a VFD filters comparison between two meters, the input voltage this is not important regarding highest accuracy, what we need or expect is BM079 this to behave identically when filtering ACV as it does the BM869 when this have active VFD filter.


Freq ------- BM869 ---- BM079

50Hz ------ 100.04 ---- 100.0V     

100Hz ----- 100.05 ---- 099.8V

200Hz ----- 100.07 ---- 099.5V

300Hz ----- 100.02 ---- 099.8V

400Hz ----- 100.08 ---- 098.3V    


600Hz ----- 100.04 ---- 105.1V

700Hz ----- 100.10 ---- 120.4V

800Hz ----- 090.12 ---- 134.3V

900Hz ----- 070.09 ---- 135.3V

1000 Hz ---- 050.00 ---- 126.5V


According to my evaluation those numbers above 600Hz these translating in to a message saying that if your VFD motor controller is rather cheap or problematic and this modulating strong harmonics or noise at 600Hz ~ 1000 Hz, them BM079 this will measure a higher ACV compared to BM869 multimeter.

Personally I think that BRYMEN here they cut corners and this does not make sense.

For a clamp meter which this is marketed as dedicated for VFD measurements’ all professional users them would expect fast measuring speed and a tight VFD filter equal to BM869, so no matter which meter is used at the field, any measurement taken this to be close to identical or totally comparable.


 

DC+AC Voltage (with Digital Low-Pass Filter) (Models 079 & 078 Only)

This is a single range 0~600V.

This mixed mode measuring DC+AC Volts and some one will expect that here is the moment in which the BM079 this will slow down further.

But this it did not happened, it seems that BRYMEN paid extra attention and at this mode BM079 seems to increase measurements’ per second update rate and from almost 2.5 times per second this seems to becomes 3.5 times per second.

In simple words I have the impression that this measuring mode is well tweaked regarding performance even if the electronic chip inside in that meter, this is busy at multitasking.

I did not try to measure AC+DC because I do not have the proper power source, but at measuring only ACV it is obvious that the screen this updates rather faster.



Hz Line Level Frequency

This is a single range 5.00Hz ~ 999.9Hz.

At this parameter ITTSB discovered a limitation regarding actual input voltage level that this is needed so frequency level this to start functioning.

At 50Hz Sinewave triggering voltage this must be at 22V or more, while BM079 specifications’ mention 50V as triggering voltage.

In my eyes this is a limitation, which I can not ignore.  


Line level frequency for VFD this is also tested, and ITTSB also confirmed minimum of 5Hz as beginning of the range, and regarding accuracy by  comparison with BM869 & BM257 DMM, both shown that BM079 seems slightly adding few insignificant counts in the measurement.

For example at 50Hz our other BRYMEN meters at four digits resolution them measured 49.99 when BM079 this measured 50.14Hz


Definably I did start suspecting the theory that BRYMEN probably they selected to use a less effective part as True RMS to DC converter to their BM079.

Frequency measurement accuracy and also the test which I performed as explaining below, I do consider them as evidence.  


When ITTSB tested BM079 with only negative or positive pulses (them were generated by our arbitrary function generator) in this crash test BM079 failed to read 50Hz and displayed 100Hz instead.

Other meters that failed in this crash test are: HIOKI DT4282, Agilent / Keysight U1272A & U1273A and FLUKE 28II.


Meters which succeeding the test them are BM869 multimeter and BM189 clamp meter.   


I am describing this test as crash test simply because the produced signal this is definably artificial but definably this is the proper one so to test such semiconductors’ performance.

In real applications I do not think that transformed energy will be that imperfect.


Recently came to my awareness that BM867 multimeter, this also has difficulties’ to read correctly frequency of dirty Sinewave, but in this case this is almost justified when a product is not marketed for VFD applications.

BM869 this is priced higher than BM867 because crucial functions them using a higher grade of electronic components.

  

  

Ohm, capacitance, and temperature measurements’


BM079 continuity mode and Ohms mode, then both are a pleasure to use.

Definably here the meter behaves with specified speed of five measurements’ per second.

Continuity mode is rocket fast and working in a range of 0~600 Ohm.

Resistors measurement this also tremendously fast and the meter is capable measuring up to 65k Ohm, if you consider that as major limitation then this is a good reason to select another product series instead, all BM070 series them have identical Ohm range.


Capacitance measurement this is also working well, BM079 using a triangular pulse at about 9 Hz when measuring for example a 1 uF capacitor.  

One 160 uF capacitor this needed a single second of time so to be measured, and a larger 1200 uF capacitor this needed 2~3 seconds.


Temperature measurement is no problem for BM079, by entering the thermocouple with correct polarity, the measurement starts and you will love how fast this updates over time.


Finally regarding diode mode or about Milliamperes mode, those working as expected.   



Min Max AVG & Peak RMS mode


Min / Max / AVG measurement this is always useful at momentarily logging line stability and definably this is among the useful features.


Peak-RMS 80 ms mode this it did confused me allot, Users guide mentioning this as:  PEAK-RMS mode to capture inrush current or voltage RMS values in duration as short as 80 ms.

In to an oscilloscope screen this 80 ms duration this translating at 50Hz in to several captured waveforms.

Single Sinewave at 50Hz this is 2 ms long, therefore at 80 ms (capturing window) BM079 this seems capable measuring 40 waveforms prior this to calculate the inrush current.

I talked about confusion about Peak RMS, because primarily I did test it with ACV mains, and my expectation was to measure peak to peak voltage with it.

Instead of that, my measurement at MAINS line voltage of 226.0V when activated Peak RMS this shown an identical measurement.

Part – 5 LCD display / switch selector / accessories


Regarding LCD display neither in this products line BRYMEN did their change about finding another LCD display supplier, common complain up to date is that their LCD display are somewhat limited in viewing angle.

Additionally any near-by strong light sources they could create reflections and this it could momentarily decrease visibility.


As in all BRYMEN meters which I have review so far the LCD display digits them are easy to read, BM079 this has a bigger LCD compared to BM189, this detail makes it more preferable to people who favouring to carry with them a clamp on meter most of the times.


LCD backlight this is well designed, this have an orange color which is very friendly in the eye and digits maintain a good contrast.


This rotary type switch selector this is definably more enjoyable or better said this feel more natural in comparison with the sliding version at BM180 series.

Personally I would prefer this wheel to be taller, if you chose rotating by a single finger from the side, this seems thin to me and I do not have a good feeling of control.

If you chose rotating it as we all do when using a multimeter, in this case you do enjoy 100% of control which helps activating the needed mode right away.


Speaking of accessories, definably BRYMEN did not skimp here and it does offer a rich collection of them and a soft bag as storage solution.


Test leads them are now three, the third this serves at phase sequence measurements’.

High quality and modern alligator’s clips come along with the test leads.

They are fully isolated and their rubber boot this is of quality rubber and soft.


About the soft bag I will say that this is a very economic version, definably it helps as storage solution, but seems less practical if you use this at the field.

This is rather soft and takes allot of time to store properly BM079 and accessories in it.

I would prefer one soft bag similar to FLUKE C25, this aloud quick insertion of the meter inside the bag, and helps better about storing the less frequently used accessories, including the K-type thermocouple.

Part – 6  Additional features / Non contact EF Detection / Motor & phase rotation  


Non contact EF Detection is rather a fresh addition to multimeter and clamp meter.

At BM079 this working beautifully and you may see the LCD too only when scanning one single 220V receptacle over the wall or a light bulb base.

And even works well about scanning a power cord or even a single wire.

But when scanning a distribution panel, this Non-contact detection becomes lesser productive.


EF detection in all meters this works and by an alternative method, and this is due contact, all that it takes is to connect a single test lead in the meter (COM) and to attach this at your test points by keeping the meter at your hand and away from the distribution panel.

Such direct probing this working further accurately in three phase distribution panel and I do highly suggest this method at heavily populated metallic cabinets.  


Motor & phase rotation this is definably among the important features of BM079 .

Measuring Phase rotation this is made by probing three phase wires so to match their sequence according to R-S-T mapping.

But what BM079 this can additionally do is measuring the phase sequence of the motor windings when they are not energized, and this is an invaluable asset as function.

All that you need to do is to connect the test leads at the coils of this three phase motor and to spin the motor axle according to motor marking (arrow pointer), then the phase sequence this is visual at BM079 LCD screen.

This function is useful when you need servicing the connections inside the junction box of the motor.

Naturally there are some limitations in this function, for example what if the motor axle is huge?  Or rotation by hand this is not possible?  Or what if the motor axle this is connected by other hard to move mechanical parts.


By experience I will say that huge motors they have large coil wires and them are hard to move out of position.

Additionally the alligator clips that come with BM079 them have an opening of 8 mm at most.

Therefore BM079 this is ready to serve in small and medium three phase motors.  

       

Generally speaking any single phase rotation gadget this comes with retail price of 50 ~ 80 EUR and this can probe only energised cables.


Another benefit of BM079 is that other than visual confirmation regarding L1 L2 L3 (R,S,T) sequence, there is also an audible confirmation, this is an power up option that BRYMEN describe this as Complementary Beeper feature.

If the (LCD) segments indicate a clockwise movement, the beeper sounds a single long beep per segment cycle.

If the segments indicate a counter clockwise movement, the beeper sounds 3 short beeps per segment cycle.


ITTSB always suggests to End Users them to give a good read of the Users guide, and always keeping this in a safe place.  

Personally I have the tendency to ask getting a copy from the manufacturer at PDF format so to print it at A4 paper size.

Part – 7 ITTSB comments over the design


BM079 this is a new generation clamp on meter, definably seems designed so this to serve field electricians working with motors.

But from the other hand this meter has limitations which some people will not accept.


For VFD applications BM079 this is quite usable but not close to my expectations’, especially when the End-user receives from the manufacturer the specification of display update of 5 times nominal and this is not possible in all available modes about measuring electrical parameters.


VFD Applications actually requiring three parameters to be measured, these are volts, current and frequency.

One VFD ready measuring tool this has wider measuring bandwidth and this requirement comes from the technology in use of VFD motor controllers which them are special inverters able to control their own line-frequency too.


Technically this new definition as VFD ready tool, this implying that electronics of higher class these are included so them making all necessary calculations with accuracy and speed and at the predefined bandwidth of 5Hz up to 400Hz.

Then a filter this will remove any harmonics from 600Hz up to 1 KHz and this is what we expect to view as result of such a measurement.


I am not able to say if BRYMEN intentionally or unintentionally them restricted the performance of BM079 so this to feet in a predefined price range?

My own lesson learned is that there are several electronic parts that a manufacturer him can choose from, regarding the True-RMS chip which I assume that this is also responsible for calculating frequency.

 


End-users which never shown any curiosity at discovering the world of modern clamp meters, them today own the most ancient design of clamp on meter.

This usually measuring only ACA, this have slow measuring speed 1~2 times per second, and this is low cost and priced at 30 EUR.

Regarding specifications’ this is limited to 50/60Hz, possibly not a True RMS one, or it is classified as True-RMS but the fine print in the user guide this is loaded of plenty of explanation stars, and the final conclusion is that this is ready to serve only at measuring resistive loads as for example bulbs and heaters.

  

In out times resistive loads these are only the 40% of the energy that a modern home this is using.

At industrial environments this percentage could be just a bit larger.

All new small or large power supply them using pulsing technology, and in simple words they transform energy by using electronics which them cause some form of pollution to mains line.

Additionally further pollution to mains this caused by cheap uninterruptible power supply which them has poorly designed internal inverters.

Renewal energy this is also produced by inverters and it gets injected (gets mixed) with power coming from major power stations, and the outcome is that our energy this is not any more that perfect so us to demonstrate blind trust at the power company.    



Examples of applications in 2015 which those requiring a fresh smart and fast clamp on meter


1) Measuring not perfect Sinewave voltage coming from Inverters

2)  Measuring IGBT Full Bridge Inverters electric current (modern arc welders)

3) Measuring VFD motor controllers (accurate speed motor control for modern CNC and lathe machinery or other applications)

4) Measuring DC volts which they are not produced necessarily by a car battery.

In our times most DC power supplies them are also using pulses so them to control their voltage and power output (constant current chargers this is a good example here, they serve at charging electric vehicles and even electric assisted bicycles).

And in conclusion the days of the old designed ACA clamp on meter, these are now ended.

Today we need a handheld multi-tool which this combining all above capabilities in to a single package.

With this tremendous amount of power electronics which is replacing old methods of power transformation, modern handheld measuring tools them should offer measurements’ which previously only one Oscilloscope this could perform.

Neither all handheld oscilloscopes comply for such power-electronics measurements’ as most of them are also slow regarding waveform update rate, which this is also a sign of poor over all performance when analysis of pulses this is required instead of waveforms.

Pulses are our today challenge, known waveforms them are easy to capture or measure at list in our times.        

ITTSB Blog aiming from the start to present with it review’s only latest measuring instruments which them can be used by electricians’ in this new power electronics applications.

Today measurements’ taken by handheld meters them must be close to comparable to what an Oscilloscope will measure at the same bandwidth.

The goal is the measurements of the handheld meter this to alert you about possible problems, so you to eventually be motivated at bringing on site a portable Oscilloscope so this to perform the final analysis.

      


BM079 this has most of modern needed technological features and bandwidth, so this to serve to a numerous of applications as for example:

AC regular motors, DC motors, modern battery chargers, uninterruptible power supply diagnosis, Inverter technology Air-condition, and even down to LED lights strips that we use for home decoration.

Therefore BM079 this is totally compatible to handle such measurements’, and this is good news for the vast majority of professional electricians and even down to hobbyists.


BRYMEN it does mention all product specifications’ up front and every one who thinks about making a buying decision he must read them carefully and evaluate them by his own judgement.    

 

This review of BM079 made me realise that this is not another BM189 which this have a rotating electrical parameters selector instead of a sliding type.

Since today BM189 this gained further my admiration, not necessarily as performance killer, but mostly because this using higher quality of electronics parts which them helping it accuracy in measurements’ at badly distorted AC line voltages.

BM079 will fit better in environments’ in which the needed measurements’ them are standardised, and I will classify it is as second best in comparison with BM189.

But lets not forget that these products they do have similarities but and major differences’ at the same time.

BM079 this gained the title of second best regarding power quality measurements’ but even so this is loaded with features which are not common with any other BRYMEN clamp on meter product series.

In simple English, neither in the world of clamp on meters you may escape by purchasing just one model when your number of applications this is extremely large.

The same rule applies when selecting handheld multimeter and even when you are about making your choice for a purchase of portable oscilloscope.

Part – 8 Conclusions


BM079 this it could be a dream product if this was coming along with few improvements’.

1) Higher quality True-RMS to DC converter (Increased performance measuring correctly frequency of pulse trains).

2) Volt and current measuring speed, this must further improve so this product to fit well in VFD applications.

3) Digital VFD filter this must better improve too (So all BM079 volt measurements’ them to be directly comparable with BM869 multimeter).

4) Fixed Volt range at 600V this restricts measurement sensitivity and speed at 20V and bellow.

5) BRYMEN should consider changing the soft bag design with a better one.


Possibly what I am describing here as improvements’, this is going to be the pack of features which BRYMEN going to add (in the near future) in another fresh product series.


To be fair, I am all ready aware of the difficulties and the challenges that a company facing so to add speed and accuracy especially at handheld meters.

Technically all handheld meters they are limited regarding space (about adding large numbers of electronic components), they are also battery powered, no matter of how willing you are about making your customers happy, you are no God.


Today even me Mr. Kiriakos Triantafillou who started engaging as reviewer of electrical test & measurement tools at 2011, my product samples among with several web seminars and even knowledge which I did receive by engineers working is such manufacturers, this sum helped me developing a far improved way of thinking when evaluating such measuring tools.

This far more mature way about exploring this section of technology helped me at  further improving my own writing style, and my progress this it did not pass unseen by other important companies of our times, as for example GW Instek .

And naturally today I do gain pride and positive energy from the fact that several brands they do consider me today as specialist in what I do.  


BRYMEN this is a company with very active R&D in our days when many others vendors them look as frozen or static.

Therefore I am convinced that now which most recent electrical applications them are getting standardised regarding requirements’, and VFD controllers is definably one of them too, that it is just a matter of time such measuring tools them to further improve as much this is required.

 


BM079 strong points:

1) Easy to use = Excellent

2) AC / DC clamp on meter = Very good

3) AC/DC volt meter = Good

4) VFD digital filter = Good

5) Ohm, continuity ,capacitance, temperature = Excellent

6) EF Detection & Motor & phase rotation = Excellent

7) AmpTip jaws = Good (the expected leverage compared to regular mode it can hardly be seen).  

8) LCD display & back light = Very good ( and I do recommend adding to it an anti glare screen protector)

9) Exterior quality of plastics = Excellent

10)  Retail price = Very friendly


Definably there are out there electricians whom wonder if this thing is going to survive in time regarding mechanical strength.

It is a common sad story when jaws them break apart or the rotating selector this is not stiff any more and this does not make proper contact, eventually this clamp meter ends up to be thrown away.

Neither me I am in position to inform due my review if this instrument is going to be used as this to be a hammer? of how much abuse this it can take.

In the hands of a careful user any tool this it does last longer.

BRYMEN mention Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C

It does not mention that this is waterproof or dust proof, or drop proof, or that the jaws them are tested at a specific number of thousands, regarding operations cycles.


As professional electrician and Blogger all that I am going to say is that up to date (within four years time), all my experiences with BRYMEN tools them are positive regarding build quality.


I wish to thanks BRYMEN for sending and this product for a public review, we are now exchanging feedback for a fourth year.

ITTSB Blog monitoring all vendors worldwide for several years up to date, and BRYMEN this is one of the most energetic!

Pictures gallery.

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More pictures of BM079 arrival and it retail packaging, you may see at ITTSB forum.

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