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New 80 series multimeters from Fluke For quite a few years now Fluke has been the leading name in multimeters and their 70 Series have probably been the most copied. Now Fluke has produced the 80 series which incorporates many new measurement features including frequency, duty cycle and capacitance. By LEO SIMPSON When you think about it, there are a number of points about present day digital multimeters that are not ideal. This is probably another way of saying that everyone has a "wish list" when it comes to defining the "perfect" multimeter . 56 SILICON CHIP Let's note some of our wishes which have come to mind when we have been working at the bench. Number one is the point that the digital display does not respond fast enough when first measuring a voltage. The meter could be badly overloaded but you have no indica- tion until the meter finally produces a readout. Second, a digital display is useless when you are measuring voltages which are fluctuating. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to make a measurement in these circumstances. When they occur, the only thing to do is to stow the digital meter and get out the trusty analog meter - it may not be as sensitive but it will give you a fair idea of the voltage. Third, many multimeters are hopeless when measuring resistance. The readout bounces all over the place and does so even when you short the leads together to check that your lead connections are OK. This is the top view of the double-sided printed board for the new 80 series Fluke multimeters. Note the surface mount processor and the extensive use of the very tiny surface mount components. Fourth, when measuring AC signals most digital multimeters are woefully inadequate when the frequency starts to rise. Most cannot measure signals much above lkHz. Fifth is battery life. Whether the meters are just hungry on batteries or whether it is chronic forgetfulness on the part of the users in not turning them off, some multimeters do go through more than their share of batteries. Sixth is fragility. Too many multimeters are just too fragile and are liable to give up the ghost if you drop them or, for example, inadvertently try to measure Volts when on Ohms. Notice that we haven't mentioned any fancy features on this list so far. If we could get a multimeter which addressed all the above problems and then added new features on top, that would be really something. The new Fluke 80 Series Fluke started with a fresh page when they produced the 80 series. They incorporated many of the features of the highly successful 70 series and the ruggedised 20 series. In appearance, the 80 series bear a family resemblance to the 70 series but they are larger, heavier, have a bigger digital readout and have 7 or 8 pushbuttons which provide extra measurement features. Heart of the new multimeters is a new single chip IC designed and manufactured in-house by Fluke. This custom chip combines a programmable 13-bit analog-to-digital converter, a microprocessor, 4K of RAM (random access memory), a 128 segment LCD (liquid crystal display) driver, a frequency counter, eight amplifiers and 60 analog switches. As well as going to a custom chip, this is the first Fluke handheld multimeter to make extensive use of surface mount components on a tightly packed double-sided PC board which has very fine tracks indeed. The custom chip itself is housed in a 100-pin surface mount package and the whole multimeter is put together on a robot assembly line. It certainly is a far cry from the digital multimeters of only a few years ago. Features All three meters in the Fluke 80 series - the 83, 85 and 87 - are very similar in appearance and measurement features. Their overall dimensions are 186 x 86 x 34mm and mass is 360 grams. All have a large rotary switch to select the following measurement modes: AC Volts, DC Volts, DC Millivolts, Ohms, Diode Test, AC Amps (or milliamps) and DC Microamps (AC or DC). In all the above modes except Diode Test, the meters are autoranging with the digital display being updated four times a second which is fairly fast as most meters go. In the Diode Test mode the open circuit voltage from the prods is 3 volts DC and the maximum current is lmA. This is enough to test all diodes and will illuminate LEDs too - a handy feature. In the AC Volts mode, there are five ranges, 400mV, 4V, 40V, 400V and 1000V; in DC Volts mode, four ranges, 4V, 40V, 400V and 1000V, with 400mV available in the DC mV mode. In the Ohms mode, there are six ranges: 4000, 4k0, 40k0, 400k0, 4MO and 40MO. For current measurements, the ranges are 40mA and 400mA when using the "mA" input terminal and 4000mA and 10A when using the "A" input terminal. In the AC mode, the frequency response is greatly improved. For the models 83 and 85 it is specified up to 5kHz, while for the 87 model, APRIL 1989 57 Relative and Touch Hold modes Each Fluke 80 series multimeter comes with a protective yellow rubber holster which incorporates a flexible prop. This can be bent as you want it to use the meter in almost any position. the frequency response is specified up to 20kHz. In fact, we found the frequency response of the 80 series to be far above the figures just quoted. For the claimed accuracy, the 85 was good to beyond 35kHz while the 87 was good to beyond 65kHz. And if you wanted to talk in practical dB limits (say ± 3dB), the 87 is usable beyond 200kHz. In fact it appears to have a rising response above about lO0kHz. 4000 count Note that all the ranges listed above have a maximum count of 4000 instead of the 2000 count of normal 3 ½-digit multimeters (or the 3200 count of the Fluke 70 and 20 series meters). Depending on the range of measurements you make in the normal course of work, the 4000 count can be a lot more convenient than that from a standard 2000 count meter. It increases the resolution and frequently avoids the need to overrange. For example, you can measure a voltage of 3 volts with 4-digit resolution on the Fluke 80 series (eg, 3.056V) compared with only 3-digit resolution on other multimeters (eg, 3.05V). Capacitance and frequency When in Ohms mode, pressing the blue pushbutton brings up the 58 SILICON CHIP capacitance mode. You can measure from 5µF to about l00pF directly. When in any of the voltage or current modes, pressing the "Hz" pushbutton brings up the frequency counter mode. Pushing the "Hz" button again measures the duty cycle of the signal frequency and pushing the button again puts you back in the original measurement mode. You can measure up to 200kHz with up to 5-digit resolution. Pushing the Min Max button while in any of the voltage, current or resistance modes will record the minimum, maximum and average values for a period up to 36 hours. Each time the meter measures a new maximum or minimum it will give an audible beep. At any time you can read off the stored minimum, maximum and average values by just pushing the Beeper button to take each value. This mode can be very handy if you are monitoring a circuit for fault conditions. It can catch glitches as short as one millisecond although the nominal response time is lO0ms. For higher accuracy, to record slow drifts in voltage, a one second response time is available. Holding down the Min Max button for two seconds stops the recording mode and restores normal operation. Relative mode is handy when you want to record the change in a measurement from some reference value. This could, for example, be when you are measuring the frequency response of an amplifier. You just measure the desired reference voltage (or voltage or resistance) and then press the Rel button. This zeros the reading and all future readings are then positive or negative with respect to the initial reference. Touch Hold mode is very handy when you are measuring in a tricky situation; for example, when you can't look at the meter while you place the probes on the circuit. You just select the measurement mode, push the Hold button and place the meter prods on the circuit. The meter then beeps as soon as the measurement has stabilised (it autoranges as necessary) and the reading is then held on the digital display. Manual range change All the modes listed above have autoranging as a standard feature but there are times when you want to select and stay on a particular range. This is done by pushing the Range button. You can select a particular range (voltage, current, resistance, capacitance) by pushing the Range button a number of times. And if you want to go back to autoranging you press the Range button for two seconds. Bargraph and pointers While these new Fluke multimeters are ahead of others in having a 4000 count display which updates 4 times a second, the digital display is not fast enough to follow rapidly rising or fluctuating readings. Fluke addressed this problem in their 70 series when they introduced the concept of an analog bargraph display. While this was a step in the right direction, it did not fully replace the need for an analog meter with a "real pointer". In the new 80 series, Fluke have refined the bargraph concept. It now has 40 segments (versus 31 in D S EMI C ONDUCTORS ! ALWAYS CHECK OUR PkiCES BEFORE YOU BUY! 1-9 10+ DIECAST BOXES Diecast boxes are excellent for RF shielding , and strength. Screws are provided with each box. 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NOW $2.40 P10964 3 pin line female $5.95 throw away batteries with these quality Nlcads and Rechargers! Size Desc. 1-9 10 + 100+ AA 450 mA.H . $2.95 $2.75 $2.50 C 1.2 A.H. $9.95 $9.50 $8.95 D 1.2 A.H. $9.95 $9.50 $8.95 • • • • Light weight Sturdy construction Easy to remove tip Excellent value for money! Cat. T11281 .... ... $13.95 UV EPROM ERASER PORTABLE 16 DRAWER CABINET • Overall size: 270(L) x 160(W) x 165(K)mm • Drawer size : 142(L) x 56(W) x 31 (H)mm • Metal case, clear plastic drawers • Carry strap • Stackable or wall mountable Erase your EPROMs quickly and safely. This unit is the cost effective solution to your problems. It will erase up to 9 x 24 pin devices in complete safety, in about 40 minutes (less time for less chips) . Features include: • Chip drawer has conductive foam pad • Mains powered • High UV intensity at chip surface ensures EPROMs are thoroughly erased • Engineered to prevent UV exposure • Dimensions 217 x 80 x 68mm WITHOUT TIMER · Cat. X14950 ......... 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Box 620, CLAYTON 3168 Order Hotline : 008 33 5757 (Toll free. strictly orders only) Inquiries : (03) 543 7877 Telex : AA 151938 Fax : (03) 543 2648 METEX3530 MULTIMETER ORDER HOTLINE Compact. ru~ged, battery operated, hand held 3 /2 digit multimeter. fTOLLFREEJ 008335757 Features ... STRICTLY ORDERS ONLY • ½" high contrast LCD. • Automatic over-range indication with the " 1" displayed. • Automatic polarity indication on DC ranges . • Capacitance measurements to 20uF • Diode testing with 1 mA fixed current. METEX M-3650 MULTIMETER 20A, 31,'.z digit frequency counter multimeter with capacitance meter and transistor tester. Features include a frequency counter (to 200kHz). diode and transistor test, continuity (with buzzer), capacitance meter, up to 20 amp current measurement. LOCAL ORDERS & INQUIRIES (03) 543 7877 METEX4500H MULTIMETER 10A, 41;., digit multimeter with digital hold, transistor tester and audible continuity tester. CHECK THESE FEATURES ... • Audible Continuity Test. • Transistor hFE Test. • Audible Continuity Test. • Transistor hFE Test. SPECIFICATIONS Maximum Display: 1999 counts SPECIFICATIONS Maxfmum Display: 1999 counts 3½ digit type with automatic polarity indication. Indication Method: LCD display. Measuring Method: Dual-slope in A-D converter system. Over-range Indication: "1" Figure only in the display. Temperature Ranges: Operating 0-C to + 40,C Power Supply: one 9 volt battery (006P or FC-1 type of equivalent) Cat.O91530 ....... Normally $109 3 ½ digit type with automatic polarity indication . lndfcatlon Method: LCD display. Measuring Method: Dual-slope in A-D converter system . Over-range Indication: "1" Figure only in the display. Temperature Ranges: Operating 0-C to + 40•C Power Supply: one 9 volt battery (006P or FC-1 type of equivalent) Cat. 091540 ...... Normally $139 • Audible continuity test • Transistor test • Diode test • Quality probes • ½" High contrast LCD. • Full overload protection •20 Amp • Built in tilting bail • Capacitance meter • Instruction manual 091550 .... .. ........ . Normally$165 • Readout hold • Transistor Tester • 4½ digit x ½"(H) LCD • Audible continuity tester • Quality set of probes • DiQital readout hold • Built in tilting bail • Instruction manual • hFEtest • Diode Tester • Vinyl case 091560 ........ ....... Normally $175 SPECIAL$79 SPECIAL $109 Special , only $129 Special , o n ly $1 59 CHECK THESE FEATURES .... POSTAGE RATES: $1 - $9.99 .. $10 - $24.99 .... ............... $25 - $49.99 ........... $50 - $99.99 . ... S100 plus ...... $2.00 $3.00 $4.00 $5.00 $7.50 The above postage rates are for basic postage only. Road Freight, bulky and fragile items will be charged at different rates. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices and specifications subject to change. IBM' , PC' . XT", AT' . are registered traclemar1tsol International Business Machines. •Apple Is a registered tradernar1t. 'Denotes registered tradmar1ts ol their respective owners. [ffil VISA Yes we pulled a Fluke 85 completely apart and then put it hack together again, after which it worked as normal. The rotary switch does not select ranges; the processor does that as part of normal autoranging. the 70 series) and a calibrated scale to match the 4000 count display. And it updates 40 times a second which is more rapid than the eye can follow or any analog meter can match, for that matter. So at last we have a digital multimeter which can truly follow rapidly varying measurements. On the Fluke 83 and 85 models, the analog display is in the form of a bargraph while on the top rrrodel, the 87, the analog display is in the form of a short pointer (ie, only one segment is energised at a time). There is quite a bit more to the bargraph/pointer display than we have space for apart from mentioning that the display has a useful nulling mode when the Rel button is pushed and it "wraps around" four times on each range. Overload, bash and splash protection Whether you've noted it or not, the list of features so far goes some way towards meeting the "wish list" at the start of this article. We have covered the points about 60 SILICON CHIP display updating, analog response and AC frequency response. Where the Fluke 80 series multimeters really excel is in their ability to take abuse . In fact, demonstrating their ruggedness is enough to make any careful user wince. For a start the case is splash proof and dust proof so that dirt, grime and spilt drink will not trouble it. The Fluke 70 series are pretty rugged too and able to withstand the odd fall from the workbench but the 80 series is even better protected with its bright yellow rubber holster. This not only gives the meter better protection against bashes but gives it more "heft" and adhesion to bench surfaces so that it is unlikely to be dragged off the workbench by a tangle of test leads. And if you are one of those people who hooks the meter up to high voltage without checking the measurement mode beforehand, the 80 series have an answer to that too. For example, if the meter is switched to the AC Voltage mode and you plug the prods into the Amps terminal, it will beep at you. If you switch to the resistance, capacitance or diode test function and plug one of the prods into the Amps terminal, it will beep more frantically. This is the first line of defence. For the second line of defence, the 80 series have 1 amp and 15 amp 600V cartridge fuses and 1000 volt RMS protection for the resistance and diode test modes. Other features Two more features stand out and they both apply to the 87 model. These are the 4 ½ -digit display mode and true RMS indication. While all three modems use essentially the same 4 ½ -digit liquid crystal display, only the 87 model has it as an operational feature for volts and current modes. It is available in all three models for frequency measurement. You can engage it for volts, current and resistance measurement modes in the 8 7 by pushing the yellow button as you turn the meter. While all Fluke multimeters come standard with a protective yellow holster, it -is available in a metallic grey colour as an option. Note the fully shrouded lead sockets. This gives increased resolution but slower update times for the digital display. The true RMS indication applies for symmetrical AC waveforms such as square waves and chopped sine waves (as from Triac circuitry) with a crest factor (ratio of peak to RMS value) of 3 for full scale readings and up to 6 for half scale readings. Since the AC volts mode is AC coupled, the 87 cannot give a true-RMS reading for any waveform with a DC component, such as a half-wave rectified sinewave, for example. feature which should be on all digital multimeters. Our reactions In this rather long review of the new 80 series we have really only given a summary of their capabilities. This is partly due to insufficient space and partly due to the fact that we have only been using them for a period of a few weeks. To really come to terms with these multi-featured multimeters, Battery life Another point in our wish list was battery life. The Fluke 70 series are pretty good in this respect, with a rating of 2000 hours. The Fluke 80 series, since they have so many additional functions, are inevitably not as frugal with the battery (a standard 9V type) and typically give 500 hours for the 83 and 85 models and 400 hours for the 8 7 model. The lesser value for the 87 is attributable to the backlighting feature for the display, enabling measurements to be taken in low light or complete darkness if necessary. By the way, those figures for battery life apply for an alkaline 9V battery. All models have an auto power off feature which undoubtedly is a fluke's new multimeters have a handy minimax recording mode which lets you monitor circuitry for faults. you would have to use them intensively for a period of months. However, in the time we have had the model 85 and 87 DMMs, we have formed some pretty strong impressions. And we have had them long enough to reveal any serious shortcomings, such as dicky resistance measurement or mickey mouse range selection switches. We can say that they don't have any serious problems nor would we expect any. They work very well as knockabout multimeters. We particularly like the positive rotary range switch, the easily read display and the rapid settling of the readings in all modes. We found that we pr eferred the bargraph analog display on the 85 model to the pointer on the 8 7. And we found the 85 a little more accurate in AC measurements than the 87. You'd expect this anyway from the specs. The feature we think could be improved is capacitance measurements. First, the range of measurement is not big enough. We'd like to be able to measure down to at least lOpF and preferably below. Second, measuring capacitors with the standard probe leads is tricky. How do you make reliable connections to capacitors and to resistors for that matter? Some meters of Asian origin have a special socket for such measurements so you can dispense with the leads entirely. We also think that the case should not be held together with self-tapping screws into plastic studs. For meters of this quality and price, machine screws and metal thread inserts are what is required. Apart from those points, the new Fluke 80 series work very well. We like them. We will probably buy one and maybe two for our own workshop. We like the 3-year warranty too - it shows Fluke have faith in the product. Presently they are expensive though, perhaps too expensive for the average enthusiast. But the new distributors for Fluke, Philips Test & Measurement, have some good news on that front and will be announcing considerably reduced prices, to take effect in early April. For further information, contact your local Fluke retailer. .! t APRIL 1989 61