description Heathkit IM-17 Overview
The Heathkit IM-17 is a solid-state utility voltmeter sold as a kit by Heathkit. It measures direct-current and alternating-current voltage and includes resistance ranges, using a high-impedance electronic input for measurements in electrical circuits. The instrument was intended for hobbyists, home users, and service work, and its assembly documentation is now of interest to vintage test-equipment restorers.
help Heathkit IM-17 FAQ
What can the Heathkit IM-17 measure?
The IM-17 is a solid-state utility voltmeter with ranges for DC voltage, AC voltage, and resistance. Heathkit marketed it as a general service instrument rather than as a modern digital multimeter. ([IM-17 instruction manual](https://manuals.plus/heathkit/im-17-utility-solid-state-voltmeter-manual))
Why does the Heathkit IM-17 use a high-impedance input?
Its electronic input is approximately 1 megohm, with about 100 pF of shunt capacitance on the commonly cited specification. That high input impedance reduces the amount by which the meter loads the circuit being measured. ([IM-17 instruction manual](https://manuals.plus/heathkit/im-17-utility-solid-state-voltmeter-manual))
Is the Heathkit IM-17 a tube meter?
No. It is a solid-state instrument built around a FET input and silicon transistors, unlike older vacuum-tube voltmeters. Heathkit catalogs describe the IM-17 as an all-solid-state utility meter. ([Heathkit catalog](https://retronik.silicium.org/DOCUMENTS/Audiovideo/Heathkit/Heathkit-1976-Catalog.pdf))
Was the Heathkit IM-17 sold as a build-it-yourself kit?
Yes. Heathkit sold the IM-17 as an assembly kit, so an old example may need inspection, calibration, and replacement of aged components before precision measurements are trusted. Its DC ranges included full-scale ranges from 1 volt up to 1,000 volts. ([Heathkit catalog](https://retronik.silicium.org/DOCUMENTS/Audiovideo/Heathkit/Heathkit-1976-Catalog.pdf))
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