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
