Triplett has been making meters since 1904, and the brand still earns respect on professional truck rolls. I have used five Triplett units across residential service, HVAC commissioning, and bench work. Here is the honest breakdown of which models pull their weight.
Comparison: Best Triplett Multimeters
| Multimeter | Type | Best For | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triplett 9007-A True RMS | Digital handheld | Electrical service | CAT IV 600V safety |
| Triplett 1101-B Analog | Analog | Coil and audio work | Classic moving-coil display |
| Triplett 9300 Industrial | Digital industrial | Plant maintenance | NIST traceable cal |
| Triplett CM-400 Clamp | Clamp meter | HVAC current | 400A AC range |
| Triplett 2202 Auto Range | Digital entry pro | Daily homeowner pro | Auto-ranging, low cost |
Triplett 9007-A True RMS
The everyday electrical meter I reach for. True RMS handles VFD and dimmer circuits, CAT IV 600V rating makes it safe at service entrances, and the backlight is bright enough for crawl spaces. Solid bench accuracy for the price.
Triplett 1101-B Analog
The legendary one. Moving-coil analog display tells you about signal behavior in a way no DMM bar graph can match. Excellent for audio coil testing, slow-changing voltages, and teaching apprentices what a needle deflection actually represents.
Triplett 9300 Industrial
The plant maintenance choice. Heavier shell, sealed against dust, NIST traceable calibration certificate ships with each unit. Built to be the only meter in a maintenance shop that ten people pass around without breaking it.
Triplett CM-400 Clamp
Clamp meters live in HVAC truck bags for a reason: no breaking circuits to measure current. The CM-400 reads up to 400A AC, has inrush capture for compressor starts, and the jaw opening clears most residential service conductors comfortably.
Triplett 2202 Auto Range
The entry pro meter. Auto-ranging means apprentices stop dialing past the wrong setting, and it is inexpensive enough to buy two and keep one in the truck. Not full CAT IV but fine for most residential and light commercial work.
What Matters Most
Safety rating first: CAT III 600V is the absolute minimum for working on live panels, CAT IV is the right answer at the service entrance. True RMS is non-negotiable on modern electrical work. Calibration certificate matters if you bill the work.
My Setup
9007-A in the truck for service calls, CM-400 clamp for HVAC days, 9300 on the bench. The 1101-B analog stays mounted on the wall by the bench because watching a needle is still the fastest way to spot intermittents.
Common Mistakes
Working on a live panel with a CAT II rated meter. Forgetting that auto-ranging meters lag on fast transients. Dropping the leads on the floor and not testing them before assuming a reading is real.
Final Recommendation
For most electrical pros, the Triplett 9007-A is the right daily driver. Add the CM-400 clamp for HVAC, the 9300 for industrial work, and the 1101-B if you appreciate the analog craft. Triplett still deserves its reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Are Triplett multimeters still made in the USA?+
Some classic analog models are still American-built; most digital units now use mixed sourcing with US final assembly and calibration. Check the model spec sheet if origin matters for procurement.
Do I need true RMS for HVAC work?+
Yes if you measure ECM motor circuits or any variable frequency drive. Non-RMS meters give wildly inaccurate readings on non-sinusoidal waveforms common in modern HVAC.