Description
Designed primarily for HVAC professionals, the AM-520 autoranging digital multimeter offers all the most commonly used HVAC digital multimeter features such as temperature, micro amps to troubleshoot flame sensors, and capacitance to check motor startup capacitors. With its CAT III safety rating, this high voltage multimeter measures a broad range of electrical parameters. The backlit LCD display makes it easy to read, and it’s easy to use with non-contact voltage detection, the “third hand” probe holder, and the built-in flashlight.
| AM-500 | AM-510 | AM-520 | AM-530 | AM-560 | AM-570 | |||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| Multimeter Type | Auto-ranging | Com / Res | HVAC | Electrical | Adv. HVAC | Industrial | ||
| F U N C T I O N |
Safety Rating | Safety | CAT III 600V | CAT III 600V | CAT III 600V | CAT III 600V | CAT IV 600V CAT III 1000 |
CAT IV 600V CAT III 1000 |
| Measure voltage in noisy environments | True rms | ■ | ■ | |||||
| Electrical panels, AC outlets | AC Voltage (V) | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 1000 | 1000 | |
| DC systems, auto/marine batteries | DC Voltage (V) | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 1000 | 1000 | |
| AC Current – electrical panels, appliances | AC Current (A) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| DC Current-electronics, DC motors | DC Current (A) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Specified resistance and continuity | Resistance (MOhms) | 20 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 60 | 60 | |
| Flame sensors | Microamps | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |
| Diodes in AC to DC converters | Diode Test | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |
| Fuses, lightbulbs, wire connections | Continuity | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |
| Household batteries | Battery test | ■ | ■ | |||||
| Motor startup or run capacitors | Capacitance | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Frequency verification | Frequency | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Non-contact voltage test | Non-contact voltage | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Electrical load-time on vs time off | Duty cycle | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||||
| Temp of air vents, fuses, transformers | Temperature inputs | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||
| F E A T U R E S |
Automatically selects measurement range | Autoranging | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| Manually select measurement range | Manual ranging | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Voltage on variable frequency drives | Low pass filter | ■ | ■ | |||||
| Detect stray voltages | Low Z | ■ | ||||||
| Dimly lit areas | Built-in flashlight | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| D I S P L A Y |
Meter resolution | LCD Counts | 2,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Dimly lit areas | Backlight | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Monitoring fast changing signals | Bar graph | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |||
| Two relative measurements on one screen | Dual display | ■ | ■ | |||||
| E V E N T S |
Data memory | Data hold | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ |
| Difference between two measurements | Relative reading | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | ||
| Max/min peak measurement | Max/min hold | ■ | ■ | ■ | ■ | |||
| Specialized signal measurements | Peak hold (crest) | ■ | ■ | |||||
hvacserviceinstructor –
Perfect HVAC Multimeter for the Professional and Student Technician
AMPROBE AM-520 HVAC METER
This HVAC multimeter is now my first choice for a troubleshooting meter. I have been using several types of meters, for my HVAC troubleshooting calls, and now I’ve returned to the Amprobe brand. I have worked in the HVAC / Electrical trade for almost 30 years, as a field technician, and using electrical meters is required in my daily job duties. I am a HVAC / Electrical Service Instructor, at the Union, so buying and using digital multimeters is a very important part of my career and job.
Pros:
The price is excellent, the combined functions of this meter are superior to other manufacturers on the market.
The built in strap bracket on the top of the meter makes it easy to hang with the included Velcro strapping.
The selection dial is easy to read with clear selection points.
Display light is clear white and lights up the entire display.
I found the display easy to understand with large numbers to read in tight locations.
The LED work light, on the top of the multimeter, is great when you are trying to see into a dark HVAC unit or ceiling.
I love the capacitance checking capability and the ability to check temperatures with one multimeter.
The micro-amp setting allows you to test flame sensors for heating troubleshooting calls.
The non-contact voltage detection is a great feature, and helps you troubleshoot with one meter.
Cons:
The non-contact voltage detector does not measure low voltage control voltages below 90V-AC.
The piercing tips on the test leads don’t pierce the wiring insulation.
I found the hold button is a little awkward to use on the front of the meter.
The display light only stays on for 25 seconds, this time a little short for most troubleshooting.
I would like to have had a Type K thermocouple plug on the front of the meter and not the, large plug, Type K thermocouple adaptor.
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
aica0177 –
excellent
I love its wonderful and the support and warranty are great
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
zenc –
muy contento con este articulo de vuestra casa
en relacion calidad y precio creo que es de los mejores si no es ya lo mejor. si lo recomiendo a mis amigos y compañeros , muy buen producto
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
Dawson –
awesome meter
works awesome and has all the options of a fluke with less then half the price!
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
Patrick413 –
Nice features, nice price
I needed something with more features and reliability than the 20 year old hand-me-down multimeter I was using. I primarily use it for HVAC related work (I am not a licensed professional) and automotive hobby work. The back lit display and flashlight have been handy. I’m pretty happy with it. I bought mine on Amazon.
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
luckyskreet –
SOLID
Very solid electrical multi meter, tackles projects with ease, has all features one could possibly need or want.
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
Buckeye32141 –
Happy with the product and results
I have used this meter since obtaining it in an HVAC class I took. I use it often in a variety of environments. I am very pleased with the meter.
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.
Yambo59 –
Good quality and value for the money, some improvements needed
Ive had the AM520for a few months now and I have mixed feelings. Its a nicely built meter with a good overall quality feel , nice range switch and good looking display, but like so many meters the back light shuts off way too soon – there should be an option in the software to leave it on until manually shut off like some cheaper meters I have. Another issue is the continuity is not near loud or fast enough, also its painfully slow at reading capacitors, its seem to take much longer than most meters and I do discharge the caps first. I like the meter for the most part but feel it should have been better in these areas – for its price point it misses the mark and I dont see why from a company like Amprobe. We went to the moon 50 years ago the technology for these improvements is cheap and it seems to me a multimeter from a company like Amprobe in this price range should not have these flaws in this day and age, especially when some cheaper ones dont.
✔ Yes, I recommend this product.