Fluke 179 True-RMS Digital Multimeters User Manual

Fluke 179 True-RMS Digital Multimeters User Manual

Introduction

The Fluke 175, 177, and 179 are battery-powered, True-rms multimeters (the Product) with a 6000-count, 3 3/4-digit display and a bar graph. This manual applies to all three models. All figures show the 179.

Contact Fluke

Fluke Corporation operates worldwide. For local contact information, go to our website: www.fluke.com To register your product, view, print, or download the latest manual or manual supplement, go to our website.
+1-425-446-5500
fluke-info@fluke.com.

Safety Information

General Safety Information in the printed Safety Information document that ships with the Product. It can also be found online at www.fluke.com. More specific safety information is listed in this manual where applicable. In this manual, a Warning identifies conditions and procedures that are dangerous to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and procedures that can cause damage to the Product or the equipment under test.

Unsafe Voltage

During a voltage measurement, the Product alerts you to the presence of a potentially hazardous voltage. When the Product detects a voltage ≥30 V or a voltage overload (0L), the Y symbol shows on the display to alert you to the presence of a potentially hazardous voltage.

Product Disposal

Dispose of the Product in a professional and environmentally sound manner:

• Delete personal data on the Product before disposal.
• Remove batteries that are not integrated into the electrical system before disposal and dispose of batteries separately.
• If this Product has an integral battery, put the entire Product in the electrical waste.

Test Lead Alert

To remind you to check that the test leads are in the correct terminals, LEAd momentarily shows on the display when you move the rotary switch to or from the mA or A position.

Warning
Attempting to make a measurement with a test lead in an incorrect terminal might blow a fuse, damage the Product, and cause serious personal injury.

Terminals

Table 1 shows the terminals on the Product.

Product Buttons

Table 2 identifies the basic functions of the buttons on the Product. The buttons have other functions described later in the manual.

Rotary Switch Positions
Table 3 identifies the switch positions on the Product.

Display

Table 4 shows the items on the Product display.

Table 5 identifies error messages that can show on the display.

Battery Saver (Sleep Mode)

The Product enters the Sleep mode and the display goes blank if there is no function change or button press for 20 minutes. To disable the Sleep mode, hold down B while turning the Product on. The Sleep mode is always disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode and the AutoHOLD mode.

MIN MAX AVG Recording Mode

The MIN MAX AVG recording mode captures the minimum and maximum input values and calculates a running average of all readings. When a new high or low is detected, the Product beeps.

Note
For dc functions, accuracy is the specified accuracy of the measurement function ±12 counts for changes longer than 350 ms in duration.
For ac functions, accuracy is the specified accuracy of the measurement function ±40 counts for changes longer than 900 ms in duration.

To use MIN MAX AVG recording:

1. Set the desired measurement function and range. (Autoranging is disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode.)
2. Press M to activate MIN MAX AVG mode.  and MAX come on, and the highest reading detected since entering MIN MAX AVG shows on the display.
3. To step through the low (MIN), average (AVG), and present readings, press M.
4. To pause MIN MAX AVG recording without erasing stored values, press H. h comes on.
5. To continue MIN MAX AVG recording, press H again. h turns off.
6. To erase stored readings and exit, press M for 1 second or turn the rotary switch.

Display HOLD and AutoHOLD Modes

Warning
To avoid electric shock, fire, or personal injury, do not use the Display HOLD or AutoHOLD mode to determine if a circuit is live. Unstable or noisy readings will not be captured.

In the Display HOLD mode, the Product holds the reading on the display. In the AutoHOLD mode, the Product holds the reading on the display until it detects a new stable reading. Then the Product beeps and displays the new reading.

1. Press H to activate Display HOLD. h comes on.
2. Press H again to activate AutoHOLD. Ah shows on the display.
3. To continue normal operation at any time, press H for 1 second or turn the rotary switch.

Manual Range and Autorange

The Product has both Manual range and Autorange modes.

• In the Autorange mode, the Product selects the range with the best resolution.
• In the Manual Range mode, override Autorange and select the range yourself.

When you turn the Product on, it defaults to Autorange and Auto Range shows.

1. To enter the Manual Range mode, press R. Manual Range shows.

2. In the Manual Range mode, press R to increment the range. After the highest range, the Product wraps to the lowest range.
   Note
   You cannot manually change the range in the MIN MAX AVG, or Display HOLD modes. If you press R while in MIN MAX AVG, or Display HOLD, the Product beeps twice, indicating an invalid operation, and the range does not change.

3. To exit Manual Range, press R for 1 second or turn the rotary switch. The Product returns to Autorange and Auto Range shows.

Power-Up Options

Table 6 shows the Power-Up Options. To select a Power-Up Option, hold down the button indicated while turning the Product from OFF to any switch position.
Power-Up Options are cancelled when the Product is turned OFF.

Basic Measurements

The figures on the following pages show how to make basic measurements.

Warning
To avoid electric shock, fire, or personal injury:

• Connect the common test lead before the live test lead and remove the live test lead before the common test lead.
• Disconnect power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before you measure resistance, continuity, capacitance, or a diode junction.

Measure AC and DC Voltage

Measure Resistance

Measure Capacitance

Test for Continuity

Measure Temperature (179 Only)

Warning: Do not connect 80BK-A to live circuits.

Test Diodes

Measure AC or DC Current

Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury:

• Never attempt to make an in-circuit current measurement when the open-circuit potential to earth is >1000 V.
• Check the Product’s fuses before testing. (See Test the Fuses.)
• Use the proper terminals, switch position, and range for your measurement.
• Never place the probes in parallel with a circuit or component when the leads are plugged into the current terminals.

To measure current:

1. Turn power OFF.
2. Break circuit.
3. Insert Product in series.
4. Turn power on.

AC Zero Input Behavior of True-rms Meters
Unlike averaging meters, which can accurately measure only pure sinewaves, True-rms meters accurately measure distorted waveforms. Calculating True-rms converters require a certain level of input voltage to make a measurement. This is why ac voltage and current ranges are specified from 5 % of range to 100 % of range. Non-zero digits that are displayed on a True-rms meter when the test leads are open or are shorted are normal. They do not affect the specified ac accuracy above 5 % of range.

Unspecified input levels on the lowest ranges are:

• AC voltage: below 5 % of 600 mV ac, or 30 mV ac
• AC current: below 5 % of 60 mA ac, or 3 mA ac

Measure Frequency

Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury, disregard the bar graph for frequencies >1 kHz. If the frequency of the measured signal is

1 kHz, the bar graph is unspecified.

The Product measures the frequency of a signal. The trigger level is 0 V, 0 A ac for all ranges.

AC/DC Voltage Frequency

AC Current Frequency

• In frequency, the bar graph shows the ac/dc voltage or ac current accurately up to 1 kHz.
• Select progressively lower ranges using manual ranging for a stable reading.
• To exit frequency, press B or turn the rotary switch.

Use the Bar Graph
The bar graph is like the needle on an analog meter. It has an overload indicator (>) to the right and a polarity indicator (±) to the left. Because the bar graph updates about 40 times per second, which is 10 times faster than the digital display, the bar graph is useful for making peak and null adjustments and for observing rapidly changing inputs. The bar graph is disabled when measuring capacitance or temperature. In frequency, the bar graph accurately indicates the voltage or current up to 1 kHz. The number of lit segments indicates the measured value and is relative to the full-scale value of the selected range. In the 60 V range, for example (see below), the major divisions on the scale represent 0 V, 15 V, 30 V, 45 V, and 60 V. An input of 30 V lights the negative sign and the segments up to the middle of the scale.

Maintenance

Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the Product:.

• Repair the Product before use if the battery leaks.
• Do not operate the Product with covers removed or the case open. Hazardous voltage exposure is possible.
• Remove the input signals before you clean the Product.
• Use only specified replacement parts.
• Have an approved technician repair the Product.
• Use only specified replacement fuses.
• Replace a blown fuse with exact replacement only for continued protection against arc flash.

Clean the Product
Wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives or solvents. Dirt or moisture in the terminals can affect readings.

Test the Fuses
Test fuses as shown below.

Replace the Battery and Fuses

Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the Product:

• Remove the test leads and any input signals before replacing the fuse.
• Use ONLY fuses with the amperage, interrupt, voltage, and speed ratings specified.
• Replace the battery as soon as the low battery indicator ( ) appears.

Table 7 lists the replacement battery and fuses.

Specifications

Accuracy is specified for 1 yr after calibration, at operating temperatures of 18 °C to 28 °C, with relative humidity at 0 % to 90 %. Accuracy specifications take the form of: ±([% of Reading] + [Counts])

Group 1: Equipment has intentionally generated and/or uses conductively- coupled radio frequency energy that is necessary for the internal function of the equipment itself.

Class A: Equipment is suitable for use in all establishments other than domestic and those directly connected to a low-voltage power supply network that supplies buildings used for domestic purposes. There may be potential difficulties in ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in other environments due to conducted and radiated disturbances.
Emissions that exceed the levels required by CISPR 11 can occur when the equipment is connected to a test object. The equipment may not meet the immunity requirements of this standard when test leads and/or test probes are connected.

Korea (KCC ) …………………………….Class A Equipment (Industrial Broadcasting & Communication Equipment)

Class A: Equipment meets requirements for industrial electromagnetic wave equipment and the seller or user should take notice of it. This equipment is intended for use in business environments and not to be used in homes.

USA (FCC ) ………………………………47 CFR 15 subpart B. This product is considered an exempt device per clause 15.103.

Electrical Specifications

Lifetime Limited Warranty

Each Fluke 20, 70, 80, 170 and 180 Series DMM will be free from defects in material and workmanship for its lifetime. As used herein, “life-time” is defined as seven years after Fluke discontinues manufacturing the product, but the warranty period shall be at least ten years from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries, damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling, including failures caused by use outside of the product’s specifications, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components. This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable. For ten years from the date of purchase, this warranty also covers the LCD. Thereafter, for the lifetime of the DMM, Fluke will replace the LCD for a fee based on then current component acquisition costs. To establish original ownership and prove date of purchase, please complete and return the registration card accompanying the product, or register your product on http://www.fluke.com. Fluke will, at its option, repair at no charge, replace or refund the purchase price of a defective product purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet and at the applicable international price. Fluke reserves the right to charge for importation costs of repair/replacement parts if the product purchased in one country is sent for repair elsewhere. If the product is defective, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that service center, with a description of the difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid (FOB Destination). Fluke assumes no risk for damage in transit. Fluke will pay return transportation for product repaired or replaced in-warranty. Before making any non-warranty re-pair, Fluke will estimate cost and obtain authorization, then invoice you for repair and return transportation.

THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-AGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. AUTHORIZED RESELLERS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND ANY DIFFERENT WARRANTY ON FLUKE’S BEHALF.

Since some states do not allow the exclusion or limita-tion of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you. If any provision of this warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090 U.S.A.

Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 1186
5602 BD Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Fluke 179 True-RMS Digital Multimeters User Manual

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