Search results

Compressed air is the food and beverage industry’s “fourth utility” after the big three of water, electricity, and natural gas. The reliability of this fourth utility depends on predictable air pressure, which means even small leaks can come at a high price. Here’s a look at air leaks commonly found in the food and beverage industry, along with best practices and technologies to address them. The Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager includes technology that adds a visual component to traditional...

AC frequency is the number of cycles per second in an alternating current (AC) sine wave.

Current is the rate at which electrons flow past a point in a complete electrical circuit.

Learn how to diagnose power quality issues in older electrical systems using a Fluke multimeters and oscilloscope.

See the differences between the Fluke ii900 vs ii910 Acoustic Imaging Cameras in terms of both specifications and functionality.

Fluke Networks Industrial Connector Adapter Kit

Fluke Networks Replacement Remote ID #1 / Wiremapper for LinkIQ™

Symptoms of power quality issues include vibration, excessive buzzing or humming and overheating. Technicians should occasionally check the power of transformers that supply nonlinear loads, such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) or switching power supplies. Doing so ensures operation within acceptable limits. Transformers are deeply critical to the reliability of the grounding system. During your transformer inspection, use temperature as a guide to check for excessive radiant heat and stay alert...

Fluke experts show you how to calibrate a pressure transducer including a step-by-step pressure transducer calibration procedure, certificate, and tips.

See the key differences between the Fluke 787 vs 789 as determined by Fluke engineers. What are the key feature and spec differences? See the comparison here.

Fluke Connect software on the 377 FC and 378 FC clamp meters allows you to record, analyze, and share results with others. Trend data for preventive maintenance.

Get 3 phase power measurements 50% faster with Fieldsense clamp meters. How to measure 3 phase voltage and current simultaneously.

Best ways to use the 377 FC and 378 FC clamp meter, how FieldSense technology works and ideal applications for front-line technicians and electricians.

The easy-to-use data management and reporting solution.

Troubleshoot the Problem Problem: A large turbine pump keeps going down before it achieves full power. Action: Locate the problem area. While the pump is still running use the 279 FC Thermal Multimeter to do a quick thermal survey using the IR camera to look for hotspots at the panel, disconnect and the pump motor itself. If something looks unusual, press save using the Fluke Connect® button and note the location. If nothing looks unusual increase the speed of the pump until it fails while surveying...

440 milliamp fuse assumbly replacement for Fluke 28 II Ex intrinsically safe digital multimeter

Fuse replacement for Fluke testers including the Fluke 1507 and Fluke 1503.

The need to measure three-phase electrical systems has become increasingly important, especially for simple energy surveys, more complex power quality troubleshooting, or overall electrical performance studies on individual electrical equipment such as transformers and motors. However, taking three-phase measurements can be dangerous as you need to open electrical panels and put on proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The top risks can carry severe penalties, whether it's personal injury or...

Set the digital multimeter (DMM) to measure frequency. The steps can vary by meter. Usually a multimeter’s dial will be turned to dc V and the Hz button is pressed. The DMM is ready to measure duty cycle when a percent sign (%) appears in the right side of the multimeter’s display. First insert the black test lead into the COM jack. Then insert the red lead into the V Ω jack. When finished, remove the leads in reverse order: red first, then black. Connect the test leads to the circuit...

table.custom-table { border-collapse: collapse; } table.custom-table td { border: 1px solid #ccc; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; } table.custom-table td.text-left { text-align: left; } @media only screen and (max-width: 768px) { table.custom-table td { font-size: 12px; word-wrap: break-word } } This guide will take you through the basic anatomy of a digital multimeter. The more familiar you become with your own digital multimeter, the more valuable it will become as you are able to maximize...

By Brian Harrison According to a Fluke 2019 survey, roughly 50 percent of maintenance and reliability professionals were actively planning Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) initiatives. This survey preceded the challenges brought about by COVID-19. At the time, more than half of the teams interviewed found the IIoT process to be more complicated than anticipated because of an essential prerequisite—collaboration with other teams and departments. Despite the business disruption caused by the...

A multimeter determines capacitance by charging a capacitor with a known current, measuring the resulting voltage, then calculating the capacitance. Alert! A good capacitor stores an electrical charge and may remain energized after power is removed. Before touching it or taking a measurement, a) turn all power OFF, b) use your multimeter to confirm that power is OFF and c) carefully discharge the capacitor by connecting a resistor across the leads. Be sure to wear appropriate personal protective...

Steps for using a multimeter in the Diode Test mode.

Steps for measuring ac voltage with a digital multimeter.

Resistance is measured using analog or digital multimeters. These tools also measure current, voltage, and more for various applications. Why measure resistance? To determine the condition of a circuit or component. The higher the resistance, the lower the current flow, and vice versa. In general, the resistance of components used to control circuits (such as switches and relay contacts) starts out very low and increases over time due to factors such as wear and dirt. Loads such as motors and solenoids...

Circuits and equipment may be designed to operate at a fixed or variable frequency. They may perform abnormally if operated at a different frequency than specified. For example, an ac motor designed to operate at 60 Hz operates slower if the frequency is less than 60 Hz, or faster if frequency exceeds 60 Hz. For ac motors, any change in frequency causes a proportional change in motor speed. A five percent reduction in frequency yields a five percent reduction in motor speed. Some digital multimeters...

Turn dial to dc voltage. Some digital multimeters (DMMs) also include dc millivolts. If uncertain of which to choose, start with dc voltage, which handles higher voltage. First insert the black probe into the COM jack. Steps for measuring dc voltage with a digital multimeter Then insert the red probes into the V Ω jack. When finished, remove the probes in reverse order: red first, then black. Connect the test probes to the circuit: black to the negative polarity test point (circuit ground),...

How the ii900 Acoustic Imager air leak detector can help you find the root cause of equipment issues and prevent costly downtime.

Oscilloscopes (or scopes) test and display voltage signals as waveforms, visual representations of the variation of voltage over time. The signals are plotted on a graph, which shows how the signal changes. The vertical (Y) access represents the voltage measurement and the horizontal (X) axis represents time. Sampling Sampling is the process of converting a portion of an input signal into a number of discrete electrical values for the purpose of storage, processing and display. The magnitude of each...

Learn both the traditional manual method and the new automated method of properly displaying a waveform on an oscilloscope. 4 example waveforms illustrated.

The difference between an oscilloscope and a digital multimeter (DMM) is simply stated as pictures vs. numbers. Learn more, including when to use each.

Basic information about what an oscilloscope is and how the test instruments are used in industrial settings for preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Types of clamp meters

Thermocouples and RTDs are the most common sensors used in process temperature measurements. Simulating a process sensor signal into a process instrument or control system input enables a technician to verify whether the device responds correctly to the temperature measured by the instrument. There are many ways to perform RTD and thermocouple simulation for testing purposes. You can use a mV dc source and a mV vs temperature look up table for simulating thermocouples or a resistance decade box...

Fluke’s assortment of clamp meters has been engineered to address a wide variety of needs, from routine tasks to specialty projects.

Clamp meters with flexible coil probes can fit into tight spaces

Fluke multimeters tested by Adam Savage. Trusted tool recommendation for budget multimeter review.

Locate potential mechanical problems in conveyors and partial discharges in electric grids.

Temperature transmitter calibrations are often performed without taking into account temperature sensor performance. For many processes this has been an acceptable practice, although the sensor typically contributes more errors than the transmitter. This practice can be problematic for critical process measurements or those that need a higher degree of confidence or accuracy. Testing the transmitter and its respective process sensor together provides a more complete test. If performed with the proper...

See the advantages of automating temperature calibration, different ways to achieve automation, and the general steps required. Plus, see related resources.

Temperature transmitter calibrations are often performed without taking into account temperature sensor performance. For many processes this has been an acceptable practice, although the sensor typically contributes more errors than the transmitter. This practice can be problematic for critical process measurements or those that need a higher degree of confidence or accuracy. Testing the transmitter and its respective process sensor together provides a more complete test. If performed with the proper...

Highly successful manufacturing plants rank high in availability, performance, and quality. A plant’s most substantial capital investments are in their facilities and equipment, and most manufacturing systems are built to meet a specific capacity level that meets demand. This is why capacity maintenance is critical to the success, and competitiveness, of manufacturing plants today. The more efficiently a company can produce a product, the more products it can produce at a lower cost which results...

Reopening the world in the wake of a pandemic brings new health and safety concerns. Much of the emphasis has been on personal hygiene, such as hand washing, social distancing, and face covering. But as industries begin to open, a new normal awaits them where personal hygiene must extend to shared work surfaces. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends regular cleaning of your frequently touched surfaces. Maintenance technicians, electricians, and others who share tools need to understand and...

Custody transfer operations in the oil and gas business requires some of the most precise measurements in all of industry. As part of custody transfer, technicians routinely calibrate all the pressure and temperature transmitters involved in the flow of oil and gas as well as the pressure in the pipelines and related equipment themselves. Fluke offers both handheld and desktop precision pressure calibrators and test gauges accurate and rugged enough for gas and custody applications. Plus, many of...

Learn how using Fluke airborne particle counters in healthcare facilities helps meet IAQ standards and contamination testing.

Testing medical gases and piping systems in healthcare facilities and hospitals presents multiple challenges for maintenance teams. Learn why efficient leak detection is critical.

Learn how to avoid calibration drift on control valve positioners as part of your preventive maintenance program.

Pairing a Fluke dry well with a handheld documenting calibrator allows for a complete field temperature sensor calibration solution.

How to find hot spots in electrical systems using a thermal camera. Learn what to look for and understand what causes emissivity anomalies during inspections.

Using a megger for insulation resistance testing capacitors and high voltage components.

Best tools for monitoring heat loss, detecting moisture, indoor air quality and HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings.

Keeping all the components of a facility running safely and efficiently is no easy task. And nobody knows that better than maintenance managers. Tracking the operational health of all those components is key to preventing unexpected failures and costly downtime. The trouble is, routine maintenance checks often miss recurring problems. If maintenance technicians aren’t taking readings at the right moment, an intermittent fault can go undetected until it escalates into a full-fledged failure. The...

Discover how to use a thermal camera for tank level measurement and inspection. See practical tips for getting the best thermal readings.

Accurate calibration of pressure switches is a critical step in ensuring process quality and the safe operation of equipment. The setup is like pressure gauge calibration except now a voltage or continuity across a set of switch contacts needs to be read either by a digital multimeter or the calibrator. The purpose of the calibration is to detect and correct errors in the set point and dead band of the pressure switch. Calibrators can save you time by reducing steps and reducing the amount of equipment...

Grid connected photovoltaic systems are growing in importance as sustainable energy sources. The DC power of the solar panels is converted into an AC power by inverters. These are transformerless and, besides generating AC current, also inject a small DC Current. Excessive DC current injection into an AC network can cause problems like transformer saturation, however, which will cause additional losses and reduce transformer lifetime. For measuring these DC components, we need a Power Quality Analyzer...

How to measure current with a digital multimeter plus clamp accessory.

Understand the effects of wind on thermography. Forced convection can come in the form of wind, a fan or even a pump, and the result of this forced convection will affect the target temperature.

Transformer infrared inspections can show you abnormal thermal overload patterns in cooling tubes which can be escalated for troubleshooting.

The electrical power issues that most frequently affect industrial plants include voltage sags and swells, harmonics, transients, and voltage and current unbalance.

Fluke experts get to the heart of your maintenance and measurement questions with tips and tricks—in less than a minute.

Watch an overview of Fluke’s PTi120 handheld compact thermal camera key features and ideal use

Compare IP rating, battery life and other features. What is the difference between the Fluke 87V MAX and the 87V digital multimeter?

How to use data to prove the value of PV and microgrids in order to provide a safer, cheaper, more secure and more reliable distributed energy electric power system.

How to LOTO a PV system. Guidance for electrical safety in solar power plants, PV installation and solar panel safety considerations.

What is the accuracy of a digital multimeter? How do digital multimeters provide consistent readings? What is meant by resolution in measurement? What is the range of a multimeter? What is the difference between counts and digits? Using a multimeter that provides the right measurements is important. Knowing what those measurements mean is even more important. Accuracy and precision ensures the measurements you take will be useful; higher precision enables easier repeatability and higher accuracy...

Learn how to choose the right IR lens for your thermal camera and why germanium is used in thermal camera lenses.

A thermal imaging program is a powerful tool in both preventive maintenance and when troubleshooting critical equipment; both of which can save time and money. Adding thermal imaging inspections is a huge upgrade in your ability to detect and fix issues before unexpected downtime occurs. Thermal imaging in your business Working in maintenance, you already have broad experience with many types of equipment and failure scenarios. Your experience, combined with a thermal camera and some basic training,...

The quality of a thermal image is much more than just aesthetics. It is critical to pinpointing specific areas of concern. A simple way to look at it is: IMAGE QUALITY = focus + optics + spatial resolution (pixels + field of view)

Fluke 440mA 1000V Fuse Replacement

11 amp 1000 volt fuse for Fluke digital multimeters

An overview of the four main Industrial Ethernet protocols including modbus TPC/IP, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET. How these communication networks differ from the commercial Ethernet LAN environment.

Robust desktop and mobile phone software is an important aspect of thermal inspection workflows. Thermography software can help enhance and clarify images, add analysis and share professional-looking reports in applications spanning mechanical, electrical, electronic equipment, building diagnostics and more. It’s important to note that analyzing thermographic imagery accurately requires special training to consider emissivity of objects and other factors like background temperature and relative...

Solar energy expert guidance on how to design and commission a photovoltaic system for maximum performance including longevity of equipment, safety and ROI.

HVAC technology true-RMS meters are essential test tools for accurately measuring and troubleshooting complex HVAC control systems.

Using Fluke tools for energy efficiency and cost savings. How the Figge Art Museum automated their HVAC control systems, reduced energy consumption and saved on annual energy costs

Using infrared cameras to troubleshoot motor problems as well as monitoring motor conditions for preventative maintenance in power generation, manufacturing and commercial plants.

The return on investment (ROI) you can expect from adding an infrared camera (also known as a thermal imager) to your inspection tool bag depends on many variables. First and foremost it depends on whether you are an industrial plant manager or a contract

Versatile, three-phase Fluke Connect-compatible power loggers for conducting energy, load and power quality studies.

Avoid these top 3 solar hazards and learn how to work safer when maintaining PV systems. You need to know the control measures to take and how to plan for a safe work environment.

Why DC ground faults in PV systems are hidden hazards you need to detect before it’s too late. Find the blind spots in PV systems. Solar ground fault troubleshooting.

Guide to integrating thermal imaging into your preventive maintenance program. Get ROI on using thermal cameras for inspections.

The need for true-RMS meters has grown as the possibility of non-sinusoidal waves in circuits has greatly increased in recent years. Some examples include variable speed motor drives, electronic ballasts, computers, HVAC, and solid-state environments.

Understand what the NFPA 70E standards for arc flash PPE assessment means for thermographers using thermal imaging camera.

Calibrating a HART temperature transmitter requires an accurate temperature simulator or temperature source, mA measurement, and a HART communication tool for calibration. You can use separate tools or a calibrator that integrates all three to perform this task. HART is an industry standard defining the communications protocol between smart field devices and a control system that uses 4-20 mA wiring. Before going to the field, gather the needed calibration and communication test tools. If testing...

90 percent of machine faults fall into four main categories: misalignment, imbalance, looseness, or bearing wear. Using root cause analysis can help you identify where a problem began and what caused it.

Insulated hand tools provide critical safety protection for electricians and technicians who work with live electrical equipment.

Insulated electrical tools are critical for electrical safety.

We recently asked electricians what they considered their top 5 essential tools—there were a few ties, so we’re sharing their top 7.

Learn how to improve power factor, including specific solutions for different root causes of poor power factor.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Recommended Practices for Health and Safety Programs, a 50-person plant typically can increase productivity by 13% and save more than $265,000 in faulty products by implementing a rigorous safety and health program.

The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester locates and identifies the four most common types of mechanical faults and allows for quick and easy assessments of overall machine health.

.super-custom html { font-family: sans-serif; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; } .super-custom body { margin: 0; } .super-custom article, .super-custom aside, .super-custom details, .super-custom figcaption, .super-custom figure, .super-custom footer, .super-custom header, .super-custom hgroup, .super-custom main, .super-custom menu, .super-custom nav, .super-custom section, .super-custom summary { display: block; } .super-custom audio, .super-custom canvas, .super-custom...

Learn the difference between single-phase and 3-phase power supplies, including uses and configurations.

Extend motor drive production performance, trend data over time and troubleshoot excess energy consumption. Compare the 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyzer and the Fluke MDA-550 Motor Drive Analyzer.

What if there were a leak detection technology that could pinpoint the precise location of a leak from up to 50 meters away? The Fluke ii900 Sonic Industrial Imager, a “gamechanger” in the pursuit of finding compressed air leaks.

Find out how air leak detection equipment prevents downtime for a 150,000 square foot plant that runs approximately 400 tools on compressed air, produced by a 200-horsepower compressor.

Even the smallest air leaks can compound product and energy waste and lost production time—especially for a production line that cannot function without compressed air to run its tools and processes.

What is power factor and why is it important? Learn how to calculate the power factor formula, each component of the equation, and why it matters.

What is the difference between an insulation tester and a megohmmeter? Compare insulation meters, testers, megohmmeters, and meggers to learn about what's best for your needs.

What is the difference between preventive maintenance vs predictive maintenance programs? Learn how to move from a reactive to a proactive maintenance program.