How to I take different measurements with my meter?

Measurement Function  Symbols Explained (link to page)

 

AC Volts Measurement

Fluke 87V Volts AC Measurement Function Example:

LEADS: + Red to Volts/Ohms Jack, - Black to common.

Input impedance (resistance): typically 1MOhms to  10MOhms (10 million ohms), no load on circuit under test.

+ or - .5% + 2 basic accuracy 

6000 count display:

Five Measurement Ranges:

600.0mV AC  resolution .0001V

6.000 V AC    resolution .001V

60.00 V AC    resolution .01V

600.0 V AC    resolution .1V

1000 V AC    resolution  1V

Yellow Function: Low Pass Filter for reading PWM (pulse-width modulated) signals off motor side of VFD

 

 

DC Volts Measurement

Fluke 87V Volts DC Measurement Function Example:

LEADS: + Red to Volts/Ohms Jack, - Black to common.

Input impedance (resistance): typically 1MOhms to  10MOhms (10 million ohms), no load on circuit under test.

+ or - .05% basic accuracy 

6000 count display, with five measurement ranges

600.0mV DC  resolution .0001V

6.000 V DC    resolution .001V

60.00 V DC    resolution .01V

600.0 V DC    resolution .1V

1000 V DC     resolution  1V

 

Millivolts DC Measurement (1mV = .001V)

Special function not on all meters

Typically used for accessories and other sensors for temperature, pressure, and other physical parameters.  

 

Fluke 87V millivolts (.001V) DC Measurement Function Example:

Special high resolution/low voltage function for measuring the output of sensors and other low voltage output devices

LEADS: + Red to Volts/Ohms Jack, - Black to common.

Input impedance (resistance): typically 1MOhms to  10MOhms (10 million ohms), no load on circuit under test.

+ or - .05% basic accuracy  

Range:

600.0mV DC  resolution .1mV (.0001V, or 100uV)

 

Ohms Measurement (resistance and continuity)

Continuity (shorts and opens beep) typically added function in Ohms mode

Special functions such as capacitance not available on all meters.

Ohms

Fluke 87V Ohms Measurement Function Example:

LEADS: + Red to Volts/Ohms Jack, - Black to common.

SAFETY NOTE: Input resistance/impedance is LOW = similar to a short circuit across the test leads. All meters should have input protection for the Ohms function to the full category and voltage ratings. For example,  Fluke meters have built-in, automatically resetting,  Safety protection on ohms mode (OL)  to prevent damage or injury if voltage is accidentally applied across the test points. Unprotected  meters could be damaged or blow up in your hand if you accidentally measure voltage in the Ohms function. See Safety section on Ohms input protection.

Special Functions:

Continuity Mode: press ))) button. Continuity makes it easy to test for shorts (beep) or opens (no beep), if a switch is closed (beep) or open (silent) 

Capacitance: press the YELLOW button. Measure capacitors in ranges of 10.00nf, 100.0nf, 1.000uf, 10.00uf, 100.0uF, 9999uf

+ or - .05% basic accuracy 

6000 count display:

Seven Measurement Ranges:

600.0 Ohms            resolution .1 ohm

6.000 KiloOhms     resolution  1 ohm (.001Kohms on display)

60.00 KiloOhms     resolution  10 ohms (.01Kohms on display)

600.0 KiloOhms      resolution   100 ohms (.1Kohms on display)

6.000 MegaOhms    resolution 1000 ohms (.001 Mohm on display)

50.00 MegaOhms    resolution 10,000 ohms (.01 Mohm on display)

60.00 nS nanoseimens

 

 

Amps/MilliAmps Measurement (1mA = .001A)

Safety Note: Amps input jacks should have FUSES for protection, in case you accidentally connect the leads across a voltage source. Meters are Short Circuits across the test leads in this mode. See ABC's of Multimeter Safety application note. Use a current clamp accessory to increase safety by eliminating this short circuit risk. 

Shift (yellow here) button typically selects AC mV or DC mV

Most common use is for high resolution on low currents, such as 4-20mA process controls.

Fluke 87V Amps/milli-amps AC or DC Measurement Function Example:

Use A (amps) input jack for .4 to 10 amps

Use mA/uA lead input jack for special high resolution/low current  mA function. This is for measuring 4-20mA control loops, and other low current output sensors

Important Safety Note: When measuring current directly through the meter, Current lead connections should have FUSES on all meters, because the meter leads act like short circuit when measuring current directly through the meter.  Using Current Clamps is safer because they isolate you from the circuit, and do not need fuses to protect you from arc flash.

YELLOW selects DC mode

+ or - (1% + 2) AC basic accuracy , + or - (2% + 2) DC basic accuracy 

mA range:

60.00 mA     resolution .01mA (10uA, or .00001 A)

A Ranges:

400.0 mA     resolution .1mA (100uA, .0001 A)

6.000A         resolution .001A (1mA)

10.00A         resolution .01A (10mA)  please note: on Fluke meters, this range and input can typically measure up to 20 amps for 30 seconds.

LEADS: + Red to mA/uA input jack for  low mA measurement, +Red to A input jack for all other measurements up to 10A, - Black to common. (see image)

If no measurement, check fuses - last person to use your meter may have connected to voltage with leads in these jacks

Input impedance (resistance): typically 1 ohm or less = like connected a wire across your measurement points. Fuses for input protection are a MUST for your safety. 

Never replace the fuse with the wrong or underrated fuse. Always use the manufacturer's recommended fuse value and rating.

MicroAmps Measurement (1uA = .000001A)

Safety Note: Amps input jacks should have FUSES for protection, in case you accidentally connect the leads across a voltage source. Meters are Short Circuits across the test leads in this mode. See ABC's of Multimeter Safety application note. Use a current clamp accessory to increase safety by eliminating this short circuit risk. 

Shift (yellow here) button typically selects AC uV or DC uV

Most common use is for high resolution on low currents, such as 4-11uA on flame rod sensors.

 

Fluke 87V micro amps (.000001 amps) AC or DC Measurement Function Example:

Special high resolution/low voltage function for measuring the output of flame rods on gas furnaces and other very low current output sensors

Important Safety Note: When measuring current directly through the meter, Current lead connections should have FUSES on all meters, because the meter leads act like short circuit when measuring current directly through the meter.  Using Current Clamps is safer because they isolate you from the circuit, and do not need fuses to protect you from arc flash.

YELLOW selects DC mode

+ or - (1% + 2) AC basic accuracy , + or - (2% + 2) DC basic accuracy 

Two Ranges:

600.0uA (AC or DC)   resolution .1uA (.0001mA, .0000001A)

6000uA (AC or DC)   resolution  1uA (.001mA, .000001A)

LEADS: + Red to mA/uA input jacks,  - Black to common. (see image)

If no measurement, check fuses - last person to use your meter may have connected to voltage with leads in these jacks

Input impedance (resistance): typically 1 ohm or less = like connected a wire across your measurement points. Fuses for input protection are a MUST for your safety. 

Never replace the fuse with the wrong or underrated fuse. Always use the manufacturer's recommended fuse value and rating.