The ubiquitous handheld digital multimeter (DMM) keeps getting better. You probably have one on your bench and more around the lab, and it’s still one of the test instruments you use the most. If you’re looking to replace that meter with a better one, though, Fluke’s 287 may be the answer (see the figure).
The 287 has all the usual features, plus a few new ones, like its larger and better screen—a 50,000-count quarter VGA with a white backlight. It can display more than the current reading from your measurement, too. In addition to displaying multiple sets of measurements, it can be used to plot and display up to 10,000 readings from automated logging.
The TrendCapture automated-logging feature can acquire up to 10,000 measurements, store them internally, and display them without having to download them to a PC for storage and display. This really facilitates some types of troubleshooting that typically require a PC and are more difficult to perform.
The 287 can accommodate dc and ac voltages and currents, resistance, capacitance, and frequency. The dc and ac voltage range is from 50 mV to 1000 V with a 0.025% accuracy on dc and an accuracy of 0.4% true rms. The dc and ac current range is 500 µA to 10 A (20 A for up to 30 seconds) with an accuracy of 0.15% on dc and 0.7% true rms on ac. Resistance range is 500 O to 500 MO with a 1% accuracy. The ac bandwidth is 100 kHz.
Also, the 287 measures capacitance from 1 nF to 100 mF with 1% accuracy. Its internal counter measures frequency from 100 Hz to 1 MHz with 0.005% accuracy. You can also measure temperature using an accessory probe, with a range of –200°C to 1090°C. Accuracy is 1%. Operating from six AA batteries, the 287’s battery life is an amazing 50 to 200 hours. Fluke’s similar 289 is optimized for industrial logging applications that speed the solution to problems in electronics, plant automation, ac power distribution, and electromechanical equipment testing.
Fluke Corp. www.fluke.com