The DC accuracy of the 179 is very good, but you'll need a shunt or clamp-on for most current measurements.
deciding between these 2 meters....
i was originally sold on the 116/322 combo but now i just fell in love with the 179...
im thinking about just sucking it up and getting the 902 and 179 and calling it a day
The DC accuracy of the 179 is very good, but you'll need a shunt or clamp-on for most current measurements.
yea i know thats why im considering the 902 as a clamp on and as an extra meter... however the accesory current clamps for the fluke 179? would u reccomend them?
I've had the 179 for 8 years and no problems. I don't even think I've changed the battery. It sits on the truck most of the time now and I bust it out when I'm getting funny readings with fieldpiece hs36.
I never bought the clamp attachment for it as you can buy a 322 or another amp clamp for less money.
Can't say, I don't have a Fluke. I use a B+K 391 and their 0-400A AC or DC current clamp-on.
It does seem to me that Fluke is using its name to charge a good price, but maybe they are very reliable meters.
When I did engineering lab work they were very precise, very expensive meters.
I'd look at the how many useful features you get for the price you pay.
If you find a competing brand with the same features and slightly cheaper than the meter you're considering, the two companies are fighting for market share.
I was considering buying a scope, so I plotted price vs. bandwidth on graph paper for several scopes, and I found an identical scope of the same bandwidth by a different manufacturer for $50 less, a 3% difference. I bought the cheaper (also name brand) scope.
With a graph of features vs. price, you can see what meters are clearly good buys and bad buys. Some instruments were so far off the trend line that I couldn't imagine who would buy them. Either, the price (for what you got) was suspiciously low or suspiciously high.
Another poster on this forum pointed out that if you get more instrument than you originally wanted, you can troubleshoot more problems and so take on more difficult jobs and so the more expensive meter might actually pay for itself faster than the cheaper meter.
Also, there must be voltages, currents, temperatures, etc. of certain values (240v, 72℉, 30A) that show up frequently in HVAC work. I'd make sure the instrument you're getting can measure these particular values to the accuracy you need.
Making up this list from memory might be difficult.
Speaking of which, I can't imagine ever needing an accuracy of +/- 0.09% for a field test meter, but maybe nowadays that kind of accuracy is easy to achieve and so all meters have it.
The C meter range of measurement looks like it's more than adequate, and the tolerance on caps that you'll be measuring is what, +/- 20%?
I guess there is accuracy, reliability, ruggedness, repeatibility (it doesn't drift out of calibration), what you can measure, what range of values you can measure, and ease of use.
And if it eats batteries that is a hidden cost of ownership. Does the meter need to work in strong RF fields, or places where there is electrical interference from sparking contacts, etc.?
ehhh just saw it doesnt look like the 179 does microamps ehhhh
Gotta have the right tool for the job!
Where is all the stuff MADE IN THE USA?
"Thats what we do Troy. Incredible, Invisible, Imbelivable things. We are an Unseen, Unknown, Unvincible fraternity of craftsman.."
but the 902 does. i hate that as well lol. but i like fluke so i deal.. thats the only problem with fluke, you need 2 meters to do what the competition does with 1. also FYI the 902 ohm reading is not so good as a fellow h-talk member found out and is not afraid to post about it LMAO (you know who you are)
also the accessory clamps dont read a low amp range. i have the i410 i believe? it does ac/dc amps.... it starts at 1amp. so anything less i use the 902.... the do have accessory that start measuring at .5amp but still the smaller motors i work on fla is like .4a
overall i like that setup tho i hanvt regreted it
Gotta have the right tool for the job!
Where is all the stuff MADE IN THE USA?
"Thats what we do Troy. Incredible, Invisible, Imbelivable things. We are an Unseen, Unknown, Unvincible fraternity of craftsman.."
Ideally im liking the 179/902 combo...so if the 902 does microamps, im good, while the 179 will take care of my ohms over 10k.....im liking it
it was either the 116/62 combo with a 902
OR
a 179 with a 902 and an IR at a later date...i have a fieldpiece IR head for my hs35 but im not a fan of it at all
and i primarilly do commercial work and large resi.......
i just left residential and getting into commercial now.... you have to watch them infrareds im sure as you already know.. ive seen guys try to check water loop temps on a pipe with them lol im sure you know what they are for..
yea the 902 i use mostly, i just pull the 179 cause i like it and want to use it lol. i think youll be happy with it..
BTW, im just geeting into the commercial side. not much experience with VFD's but a friend bought the 87-5 to troubeshoot them. it has a low pass filter in it... i dont think he even knows if he needs that filter but he got it anyway lol
dont mean to through in a wrench but just want to give you the info i know so you can make a good decision and more importantly only buy it once
Gotta have the right tool for the job!
Where is all the stuff MADE IN THE USA?
"Thats what we do Troy. Incredible, Invisible, Imbelivable things. We are an Unseen, Unknown, Unvincible fraternity of craftsman.."
Seems like a meter with a bunch of test leads. I'd buy the test leads separately as you need them. Pomona and others makes them.
This one
http://www.smcelectronics.com/TESTCB03.JPG
comes in handy sometimes.
Yea well get this... we have a new install we just recently commissioned, specific room temp to be maintained was 86 degrees....construction companys maintenance contractor comes in and takes temperature readings and comes to the conclusion machine is not running properly because the space temp is 94 degrees.....
Our tech arives on site using a multi probe temp tester and reads 85-87 across the board...
customer states well our company had those fancy infrareds and they said 94 degrees.....
Gotta have the right tool for the job!
Where is all the stuff MADE IN THE USA?
"Thats what we do Troy. Incredible, Invisible, Imbelivable things. We are an Unseen, Unknown, Unvincible fraternity of craftsman.."
Fluke 170 Series Digital Multimeters
Specifications
Voltage DC
175 - Accuracy* ± (0.15%+2)
177 - Accuracy* ± (0.09%+2)
179 - Accuracy* ± (0.09%+2)
Max. Resolution 0.1 mV
Maximum 1000 V
Voltage AC
Accuracy* ± (1.0%+3)
Max. Resolution 0.1 mV
Maximum 1000 V
Current DC
Accuracy* ± (1.0%+3)
Max. Resolution 0.01 mA
Maximum 10 A
Current AC
Accuracy* ± (1.5%+3)
Max. Resolution 0.01 mA
Maximum 10 A
Resistance
Accuracy* ± (0.9%+1)
Max. Resolution 0.1 Ω
Maximum 50 MΩ
Capacitance
Accuracy* ± (1.2%+2)
Max. Resolution 1 nF
Maximum 10,000 µF
Frequency
Accuracy* ± (0.1%+1)
Max. Resolution 0.01 Hz
Maximum 100 kHz
Temperature
179 - Accuracy* ± (1.0%+10)
Max. Resolution 0.1°C
Range -40°C/400°C
Note
* Accuracies are best accuracies for each function
Environmental Specifications
Operating Temperature
-10°C to +50°C
Storage Temperature
-30°C to +60°C
Humidity (Without Condensation)
0% - 90% (0°C - 35°C)
0% - 70% (35°C -50°C)
Safety Specifications
Overvoltage category
EN 61010-1 to 1000 V CAT III.
EN 61010-1 to 600 V CAT IV.
Agency Approvals
UL, CSA, TÜV listed and VDE Pending
Mechanical & General Specifications
Size
43 x 90 x 185 mm
Weight
420 g
Warranty
Lifetime
Battery Life
Alkaline: ~200 hours typical, without backlight
Fluke 116 HVAC Multimeter with Temperature and Microamps
Specifications
Maximum voltage between any terminal and earth ground
600 V
Surge protection
6 kV peak per IEC 61010-1 600 V CAT III, Pollution Degree 2
Display
Digital: 6,000 counts, updates 4 per second
Bar graph
33 segments, updates 32 per second
Operating Temperature
-10 °C to + 50 °C
Storage Temperature
-40 °C to + 60 °C
Battery type
9 volt Alkaline, NEDA 1604A/ IEC 6LR61
Battery Life
400 hours typical, without backlight
Accuracy Specifications
DC millivolts
Range: 600.0 mV
Resolution: 0.1 mV
Accuracy: ± ([% of reading] + [counts]): 0.5% + 2
DC volts
Range/Resolution: 6.000 V / 0.001 V
Range/Resolution: 60.00 V / 0.01 V
Range/Resolution: 600.00 V / 0.1 V
Accuracy: ± ([% of reading] + [counts]): 0.5% + 2
Auto volts
Range: 600.0 V
Resolution: 0.1 V
Accuracy: 2.0 % + 3 (dc, 45 Hz to 500 Hz)
4.0 % + 3 (500 Hz to 1 kHz)
AC millivolts1 true-rms
Range: 600.0 mV
Resolution: 0.1 mV
Accuracy: 1.0 % + 3 (dc, 45 Hz to 500 Hz)
2.0 % + 3 (500 Hz to 1 kHz)
AC volts1 true-rms
Range/Resolution: 6.000 V / 0.001 V
Range/Resolution: 60.00 V / 0.01 V
Range/Resolution: 600.0 V / 0.1 V
Accuracy: 1.0 % + 3 (dc, 45 Hz to 500 Hz)
2.0 % + 3 (500 Hz to 1 kHz)
Continuity
Range: 600 Ω
Resolution: 1 Ω
Accuracy: Beeper on < 20 Ω, off > 250 Ω; detects opens or shorts of 500 μs or longer.
Ohms
Range/Resolution: 600.0 Ω / 0.1 Ω
Range/Resolution: 6.000 kΩ / 0.001 kΩ
Range/Resolution: 60.00 kΩ / 0.01 kΩ
Range/Resolution: 600.0 kΩ / 0.1 kΩ
Range/Resolution: 6.000 MΩ / 0.001 MΩ
Accuracy: 0.9 % + 1
Range/Resolution: 40.00 MΩ / 0.01 MΩ
Accuracy: 1.5 % + 2
Diode Test
Range/Resolution: 2.000 V / 0.001 V
Accuracy: 0.9% + 2
Capacitance
Range/Resolution: 1000 nF / 1 nF
Range/Resolution: 10.00 μF / 0.01 μF
Range/Resolution: 100.0 μF / 0.1 μF
Range/Resolution: 9999 μF / 1 μF
Range/Resolution: 100 μF to 1000 μF
Accuracy: 1.9% + 2
Range/Resolution: > 1000 μF
Accuracy: 5% + 20%
LoZ capacitance
Range: 1 nF to 500 μF
Accuracy: 10% + 2 typical
Temperature2 (Type-K thermocouple)
Range/Resolution: -40 °C to 400 °C / 0.1 °C
Accuracy: 1% + 102
Range/Resolution: -40 °F to 752 °F / 0.2 °F
Accuracy: 1% + 182
AC μamps true-rms (45 Hz to 500 Hz)
Range/Resolution: 600.0 μA / 0.1 μA
Accuracy: 1.0% + 2
DC μamps
Range/Resolution: 600.0 μA / 0.1 μA
Accuracy: 1.0% + 2
Hz (V or A input)2
Range/Resolution: 99.99 Hz / 0.01 Hz
Range/Resolution: 999.99 Hz / 0.1 Hz
Range/Resolution: 9.999 Hz / 0.001 Hz
Range/Resolution: 50.00 Hz / 0.01 Hz
Accuracy: 0.1% + 2
a big difference between the 2 is the 116 does not do milli amps which is found in commercial controls.....
Gotta have the right tool for the job!
Where is all the stuff MADE IN THE USA?
"Thats what we do Troy. Incredible, Invisible, Imbelivable things. We are an Unseen, Unknown, Unvincible fraternity of craftsman.."
Just get the fluke 289 and the i400 clamp and be done with it.. You'll know you've got the best, and as your meter upstairs (brain) gets smarter you wont have to keep on getting a new meter
I cant say i have bought it yet but I will have it by the end of march. I have used the 179 for years and it has been a great meter. and as for microamps you can get the 14 dollar accessory head from fieldpiece.
What cant be done correctly shouldn't be done at all
A clip to measure the voltages on IC pins.
http://visual.merriam-webster.com/im...ed-circuit.jpg
Usually the test probe jumps off the IC pin and shorts it to the next pin, and then you have some real problems. With this clip it's less likely. The pins are spaced 0.1" on center.
I don't know what to do about probing surface mount chips on conformally coated boards.