Handheld digital multimeter exposed to extreme heat and relative hazards

[Kiriakos GR]

Vast majority of multimeter buyers they never pay much attention at product specification this referred as:  Product storage temperatures range.

Max storage temperature this is upper limit of environmental temperature when this is in storage.
Minimum storage temperature this is mostly a warning relative to humidity and relative problems.

How many of us we have awareness of safe and of unsafe storage methods?

This small article it is here to alert multimeter owners working outdoor so they to act wisely and to avoid handheld multimeter overheat, aesthetics damage (front panel) and also test leads wires damage.

Exterior build quality of a multimeter this is usually overlooked prior a product purchase, many consumers fall in the known trap of retail pricing (value for money) and they end up buying a multimeter which this is not designed to survive in outdoor use.
Vast majority of multimeter these they are designed for indoor use ONLY, they can not be protected enough by any storage solution so them to survive outdoor.

The description as rugged meter this belongs to multimeter models which they were designed by this concept and their electronics performance this is not measure up here.
One rugged meter with few functions this is still a rugged meter.

Exposure of a multimeter to direct sun light at summer days this is an equal torture as if the DMM it is in storage inside of inappropriate plastic tool box (that most electricians using) this not including ventilation.
Such storage boxes they get frequently hot at a temperature range of 50 Celsius to 75 Celsius and all tools inside they get cooked in to this portable oven.

Old timers electricians was using leather made soft pouch, for quick transport of a few hand tools and a multimeter (within a factory), for example maintenance department team this now moving to inspect a reported problem. 

Protection of handheld multimeter and of other sensitive electronic tools this is not possible by simply spending money for soft bags and hard cases, its more like as a father protecting all times it kids when they are out of  home.
 
High temperature this called anything above 28 Celsius, this has to do mostly with properties change at that temperature of clear acrylic window, rubber parts, silicone parts, nylon parts, and of most petroleum based plastics.

Highest protection that money can buy this could be hardened plastic case with internal foam, this be also IP67.
But do not be confused, this is not an all-weather solution, or an all times storage solution, these are intended to be used if an repair man he has to move many kilometers away from his base (a long journey) and this is rare to happen.

Summer heat this hides and another danger, this is relative to test leads wire mechanical damage of insulation material, this gets softer and less tolerate regarding test leads misuse.
Another potential problem could show from careless use of multimeter range switch, some times I was witness of a helper electrician him rotating the range switch as this to be a toy so to play with.
Identical negative examples it can also happen with current clamps and other tools. 

According my views and by having awareness of all such hazards, my response this is adding a screen protector film (mobile phones) over entire amount of multimeter which I own, no matter if they are rugged or not.

Additionally a high quality soft back this is also another precaution and an investment which I did and pay so to get.

In summary, the protection of your multimeter and tools (of your property), this it should be made after giving it some thought.
A soft bag with inappropriate design and dimensions for your multimeter this is a source of hazard.
My recommendation this is go for compatible storage solutions offered by its multimeter manufacturer, because they did their choices by performing upfront quality tests for these storage solutions.
Avoid leaving a toolbox loaded with multimeter in your car this is under the sun.
Avoid leaving a multimeter and accessories exposed to direct sunlight, product discoloration this is another undocumented hazard.

Be a good dad of your multimeter and tools, so them to be safe and grow with you!