Fluke Calibration 55 Series User manual

5502A
CALIBRATOR
HI
LO
A
HI
LO
INPUT
SENSE
4-WIRE
Ω
55XX Series Multi-Product Calibrator
15-minute demo guide

2
Table of contents
Introduction.......................................................................................3
Section 1: Meter functions ............................................................5
Direct voltage
Alternating voltage
Resistance
Capacitance
Direct current
Alternating current
Section 2: Temperature functions............................................ 12
Temperature
Section 3: Power functions .........................................................15
Power
Power harmonics
Section 4: Overload protection ................................................. 20
Output Protection
Safety warning: The 55XX Series
calibrators are capable of producing
1000 V ac and dc at the NORMAL output
terminals. Do not touch any connectors
until you confirm that the calibrator
is set to 0 V and in STANDBY mode.
Always keep one hand at your side when
attaching cables to avoid electric shock
through the body.

3
Introduction
Output Window displays main output
information.
Separate STBY and OPR Keys control
output.
SCOPE and Trig Out Keys enable the
optional oscilloscope calibration func-
tions; EARTH, when on, ties analog
low to earth ground.
Control Window displays messages,
softkey menus, status, auxiliary
information.
SETUP activates setup softkey menus.
RESET returns the instrument to its
power-up state. NEW REF sets present
output as the reference for calculat-
ing errors. CE clears the current entry.
MEAS TC puts the 55XX calibrator in
thermocouple measurement mode.
TRIG OUT triggers the oscilloscope
calibration option.
“Soft” keys allow access to the menus
in the Control Window, letting you
select parameters. PREV MENU lets
you step backward through menus.
6
5
4
3
2
1
10
1 2 3 4 56
12 11 987
Arrow Keys select highlighted digits in
the Output Window. EDIT FIELD toggles
between two values if present in the
Output Window.
Edit Knob, which has a detent for each
digit increment, allows you to vary the
output.
MULT[X] and DIV [÷] Keys step up/
down in decade multiples of any output
setting.
Unit selection and unit modifiers.
The ENTER Key completes the entry,
moving it from the Control Window to
the Output Window.
Calculator-Style Keypad allows easy
value entry.
Output Block with recessed safety
terminals for voltage, ohms, RTDs,
auxiliary voltage, current and ohms
sensing; isothermal terminal for
thermocouples, and BNC connectors for
oscilloscope calibration and external
trigger outputs.
12
11
9
8
7
10

4
Presenting the 55XX Series Multi-Product Calibrators—
Each is eleven calibrators in one
Compared with more traditional calibrators designed to calibrate a
certain type of instrument, the Fluke Calibration 55XX Series rep-
resents a whole new class of multi-product calibrator, offering an
unprecedented range of dc and low-frequency electrical calibration
workload coverage. The basic 55XX Series calibrator can calibrate
digital and analog multimeters, thermometers (thermocouple and RTD),
handheld wattmeters, data loggers, current clamps, strip chart record-
ers, oscillographic recorders, panel meters, process calibrators, power
harmonics analyzers and many other similar measurement tools.
Try using a 55XX Series calibrator with actual units under
test (UUTs)
This demonstration guide lets you see for yourself in about 15 min-
utes how the advanced features of the 55XX Calibrators make it easy
to calibrate a wide variety of instruments. The following examples
use Fluke products. In most cases, similar products from other ven-
dors can be substituted. If you have any questions, contact your Fluke
Calibration representative.
You’ll discover that each 55XX Series’ front panel is arranged
to make it easy to use, even for the first time operator. Values are
entered on the calculator-style keypad; units are selected from the
keypad to the right of it. Operate, standby, scope and boost enable
keys are arranged across the top edge of the panel along with
five “softkeys,” whose meaning changes depending on the display
window above it.

5
Direct voltage
The 55XX Series calibrators can output
direct voltage from 0 to ± 1020 V.
1. Connect the V and COM terminals of
the dmm to the NORMAL outputs of
the calibrator.
2. Set the meter to direct voltage mode:
3. Select a 10 volt dc output from the
5500A by pressing:
10 V is indicated on the output window.
4. Turn the edit knob to vary the calibrator’s output. Notice how the
control window now displays error, showing the reference volt-
age and the difference between it and the current output.
5. Turn the edit knob to return the output to 10 V.
6. The cursor keys above the edit knob and on either side
of the key allow you to select which decades on the output
display to edit. Press the key until the cursor is under the
most significant 0 on 10.00000 V:
Section 1: Meter functions
What you’ll need
In addition to a 55XX Series
Multi-Product Calibrator,
you’ll need a Fluke 179
Digital Multimeter or
equivalent and a set of
compatible test leads.

6
Then turn the edit knob clockwise until the output display reads
33 V. Notice that the calibrator dropped into standby mode. This
safety precaution protects the operator from inadvertently slewing the
output to a potentially hazardous level.
7. Now press the key, located in the keypad to the left of the
edit knob. Notice that the error display disappeared from the con-
trol window. The indicated output is now set as the reference and
errors can be calculated with respect to the new reference value.
This simplifies certain kinds of troubleshooting or flatness tests.
8. Press the key. This resets the output to 0.0000 mV and puts
the calibrator in standby mode.
Alternating voltage
Alternating voltage is available from 1 mV to 1020 V over a frequency
range of 0.01 Hz to 2 MHz. Operation is the same as with volts dc.
Just enter the value and the units.
1. Put the dmm in ac voltage mode:
2. Connect the V and COM terminals of the dmm to the NORMAL
outputs of the 55XX Series. Then select a 10 volt 60 hertz
output by pressing:
Notice how the display in the control window has changed,
providing you with the opportunity to change the waveform
of the volts ac signal or to set a dc offset for duty cycle and
sensitivity checks.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

7
3. Press the under WAVE sine. Notice the menu changes to WAVE
tri for triangle wave. Also notice the output display has changed
from a conventional rms voltage reading to peak-to-peak.
4. Press the under WAVE tri and the display changes to WAVE
square. Note you are now offered a softkey choice for setting
duty cycle, making it easy to directly check the duty cycle display
on the dmm.
5. Press the key.
Resistance
Resistance values are available from 0 to 1100 MΩ.
The 55XX Series calibrators use a synthesis technique for simulat-
ing resistance values. So, rather than using discrete values, you may
select values in ohms much the same way you would select a voltage.
The 55XX Series’ unique resistance synthesis technique results in
wide dynamic range. Unlike synthesized resistance techniques used
in other calibrators, the 55XX Series calibrators may be used with
a wide range of UUTs, including handheld dmms; analog volt-ohm
meters, which typically output relatively high current in low resis-
tance ranges; and bench dmms, which typically output relatively high
voltage to make high resistance measurements.
1. Connect the test leads to the Ωand COM inputs of the dmm and
to the NORMAL terminals of the 55XX Series calibrator.
2. Put the dmm in ohms mode:
3. On the 55XX Series, select a 10 ohms output by pressing:
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

8
4. Notice that the control window displays a range of lead com-
pensation choices. Simply press the under COMP off to cycle
through the choices—off, 2-wire and 4-wire. With compensa-
tion off, the 55XX Series does not compensate for external lead
resistances. In 2-wire mode, the calibrator compensates for lead
resistance at the terminals of the UUT. Four-wire mode permits
the 55XX Series to be used with UUTs capable of making 4-wire
measurements.
5. Notice to the left of the edit knob a group of eight function keys,
dedicated to miscellaneous functions. The bottom two, and
, permit you to step the output up or down in even decades of
the reference output displayed in the output window. Try it:
6. Now the output reads 1 kΩ. Edit the output with the edit knob
and keys to set the value to 1.42 kΩand press the key.
7. Try using the key by pressing it three times:
Now the output display indicates 1.42 Ω.
8. Press the key.
Capacitance
Capacitance is available from 220 pF to 110 mF.
The capacitance function operates in much the same way as the
resistance function; that is, simply enter the desired capacitance
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

9
output. The design of the 55XX Series calibrators’ synthesized capaci-
tance circuit permits it to be used with meters that use both the dc
charge/discharge method currently used on handheld dmms, as well
as the ac technique used by RCL meters.
1. Connect the test leads to the Ωand COM inputs of the dmm and
to the NORMAL terminals of the 5500A Series calibrator.
2. Put the dmm in capacitance mode (on the Fluke 179, select
resistance mode then press the yellow button for capacitance).
3. On the numeric units keypad, notice there are a number of units
indicated in red. These units are entered by first pressing the
key. The 55XX Series keyboard will remain in a shifted state until
another key is pressed. This eliminates the need to hold down
the key while entering the shifted value.
4. Microfarads are entered as shifted units. Give it a try. Enter 5
microfarads by pressing :
5. The same lead resistance compensation choices available in
resistance mode are available in capacitance as well. You may
also edit the output in the same way. Press the key twice to
reduce the output in even decades to 50 nF:
6. Now, edit the output. Select the most significant digit on the
output display by pressing the key three times:
And edit the output by turning the edit knob. As with all the
other calibration modes, the calibrator calculates the error and
displays it in the control window.
7. Press the key.

10
Direct current
Direct current is available from 0 to ± 20.5 A.
Sourcing direct current is identical to sourcing direct voltage; how-
ever you have to change connections on the 55XX Series, and most
likely also on the dmm. Current is available from the AUX terminals
of the calibrator.
Be sure to connect a UUT to the calibrator, or the calibrator will go
over-compliance and trip out.
1. Connect the 400 A and COM terminals of the dmm to the AUX HI
and LO terminals of the 55XX Series.
2. Put the dmm in milliamps direct current mode by turning the
dmm knob to direct current millamps position: (On the Fluke
179, select milliamps then press the yellow button for direct
current).
3. Select 100 mA by pressing:
4. Then press the key once to change to 1 A:
5. Turn the edit knob to see the calibrator calculate the uncertainty.
6. Press the key.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

11
Alternating current
Alternating current is available from 29 µA to 20.5 A over frequencies
from 0.01 Hz to 30 kHz.
Using a 55XX Series calibrator in alternating current mode is simi-
lar to using it in alternating voltage mode; however you must change
connections on both the calibrator and the dmm. Current is available
at the AUX terminals.
You also have to be sure to connect a UUT, or the calibrator will go
over-compliance and trip out.
1. Connect the 400 mA and COM terminals of the dmm to the AUX
HI and LO terminals of the 55XX Series calibrator.
2. Put the dmm in the milliamps alternating current mode by turn-
ing the dmm knob to the mA position: (On the Fluke 179 select
milliamps, then press the yellow button for alternating current).
3. Select 100 mA 60 Hertz by pressing:
Notice that the control window display shows that the output is
on the auxiliary terminals. Also notice that you have the same
choice of waveforms available in alternating voltage mode. Each
is selected by pressing the softkey under the display. As with all
other modes, the output can be edited by selecting a digit on the
output display and slewing it up and down with the edit knob.
4. Press the key.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

12
Section 2: Temperature
functions
What you’ll need
In addition to a 55XX Series
Multi-Product Calibrator, you’ll
need a Fluke 54II or equivalent
thermocouple thermometer,
a K-type thermocouple and a
K-type thermocouple wire with
male connectors on each end.

13
Temperature
The 55XX Series calibrators have three temperature modes:
•They can simulate eleven types of thermocouples (B C E J K L N R
S T U) for calibrating thermometers and other thermocouple indi-
cators. There are also both a 10 µV/°C and a 1 mV/°C modes for
creating custom temperature linearizations.
•The 55XX Series calibrators can also measure temperature with the
eleven thermocouples indicated above. The thermocouples sup-
ported by the 55XX Series span the range of -250 °C to +2350 °C.
•Finally, the 55XX Series can simulate eight resistance temperature
devices (RTDs), including six varieties of platinum RTDs ranging
from 100 Ω to 1000 Ω, an Ni 120 RTD and a Cu427 10 Ω RTD. These
RTDs cover temperatures from -250 °C to +850 °C.
In thermocouple measurement mode, the 55XX Series calibrators
simply function as a thermocouple thermometer or can be used to
calibrate thermocouple simulation instruments.
1. Connect a K-type thermocouple to the TC connector of the
calibrator.
2. In the group of miscellaneous function keys to the left of the edit
knob is the key. To put the 55XX Series into thermocouple
measurement mode, simply press this key:
The temperature is displayed in the output window. This is a
convenient way to measure ambient air temperature before per-
forming a calibration or to verify the temperature of ovens, oil or
solder baths or related devices. Notice that the voltage level in mV
is displayed in the control window. You can also display tempera-
ture in °F by pressing the under TC MENUS. When done, press
the key.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR

14
To simulate a thermocouple (source temperature) connect a thermo-
couple cable (a piece of thermocouple wire with a male connector at
each end) to the input of the 54 II and TC output of the 55XX Series
calibrator.
1. Turn on the 54 II.
2. Sourcing temperature is very similar to sourcing direct voltage.
Enter 100 °C by pressing:
The reference temperature is displayed in the output window.
Two temperature-related softkey menus appear in the control
window.
3. To enter temperature in °F, use the shift function. To enter 100
degrees Farenheit, press:
4. The temperature output can be slewed in the same way as volt-
age can be slewed. To see an example, turn the edit knob. When
done, press the key.
5. The under TC MENUS selects the reference source (the inter-
nal source or an external reference, such as an ice bath) and
thermocouple type menus. The under OUTPUT tc switches the
5500A to RTD simulation mode.
Press the under OUTPUT tc.
6. The softkey menu has changed. On this new menu you can
choose the type of RTD required and 2-wire compensation or
4-wire modes. Press the under OUTPUT rtd to return the
calibrator to thermocouple mode.
Press the key.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTHTRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR
LOGGING RECALL
T1
T2
T1-T2
SETUP ENTER
CLEAR
MEMORY PC / IR SEND
CANCEL
MIN
MAX HOLD
˚C˚F K
54 THERMOMETER

15
Section 3: Power functions
What you’ll need
In addition to a 55XX Series
Multi-Product Calibrator,
you’ll need a Fluke 43B
and a set of test leads. If
you do not have access
to a Fluke 43B, a general
purpose watt meter with
voltage and current inputs
may be substituted. In the
example below, where
dual voltage outputs are
indicated, use volts plus
current.

16
Power
Direct power can be simulated into phantom loads from 0 to 20.9 kW.
This is accomplished by sourcing voltage from one output and cur-
rent from another. To simulate devices like current clamps, where
current is converted to voltage, voltage can be sourced from both the
NORMAL and AUX terminals simultaneously.
•Power can be entered in one of three ways.
•Voltage plus current.
•Voltage plus voltage
•Watts (enter voltage or current and watts)
Steps 1-5 are provided as examples in order to illustrate the use of
the calibrator for different power measurement instruments. Instruc-
tions for an actual demonstration of this capability will follow.
1. Enter power as voltage plus current. To enter 10 volts 10 amps,
press:
Notice that the 55XX Series calibrator has calculated the power level
in watts and displayed it on the control window.
Alternating power works the same way, with the addition of a
frequency term:
2. Either the voltage or current output can be slewed. Switch
between them by pressing the key.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTH
TRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR
43B POWER QUALITY ANALYZER
HOLD
RUN
PRINT
ENTER
F1 F2 F3
RECORD
MENU
SAVE
1 2

17
3. Entering voltage plus voltage is the same as entering voltage plus
current, except that you substitute voltage for current. The voltage
output on the AUX terminal is limited to 7 V (1.0 mV to 5 V in ac
mode). If you were simulating a current clamp that outputs 1 mV per
amp, this output would simulate 100 W (10 V + 10 A) ac at 60 Hz:
4. The 55XX Series calibrator also allows you to select power in
watts. To do this, you need to enter a voltage or current level and
the desired power level in watts, and the calibrator will calculate
the necessary voltage or current required. For example you can
ask 100 watts based on 10 volts by pressing:
The 55XX Series calibrator calculates that 10 A is required from
the AUX output.
5. Before continuing, press the key.
Now, we will use a Fluke 43B to demonstrate some of the power
capabilities of the 55XX Series calibrators.
1. Connect a set of test leads between the COM and Input 1 termi-
nals of the 43B and the NORMAL Hi and LO output terminals of
the 55XX Series calibrator. Using appropriate adapters, connect
the Input 2 terminals of the 43B to the AUX HI and LO output
terminals of the calibrator.
2. Using the MENU button on the 43B, select Instrument Setup. fol-
lowed by the PROBES selection. Then select the probe type on
Input 1 to be TEST LEADS and the probe type on Input 2 to be
1mV/A. With the enter key, set the display on the 43B to show
single phase power.
3. On the 55XX Series calibrator, enter 120 volts 100 mV 60 Hertz
by pressing:
The calibrator is now outputting 12 kW. The 100 mV on the AUX
terminals simulates the 100A being simulated by the 55XX Series
at 1 mV per amp.
4. The Fluke 43B displays both the measured sine waves of the
voltage and current outputs. It also displays other information
such as the frequency, power and power factor.

18
6. Notice that in this mode, the 55XX Series calibrator’s control
window displays a WAVE MENUS. When you press the under
this display, WAVE MENU provides a range of choices, including
harmonics, current and voltage waveforms and phase. First, we’ll
demonstrate the waveform and phase control functions.
Press the under WAVE MENU then the under AUXWAVE
sine softkeys.
Notice the Fluke 43B now displays current as a triangle wave.
Continue to press the under AUXWAVE to view the four differ-
ent waveforms: sine, triangle, square and truncated sine. When
complete, return to sine mode.
7. The 55XX Series calibrators permit you to vary the phase rela-
tionship between current and voltage with 0.01 resolution. For
instance, to enter a 45° phase offset, press the under PHASE.
Then press these numbers on the numeric keypad:
Notice the current waveform displayed on the 43B has shifted 45°.
8. On the right side of the control window is a softkey menu
choice labeled SHOW PF. The 55XX Series calibrators permit you
to control the phase relationship using both phase in degrees and
power factor (sine only).
To see how this functions, press the under SHOW PF.
9. The present 45° phase shift is now displayed as a power factor of
0.707. You may select between lead or lag in power factor mode
using a softkey.
10. To change the output of the 55XX Series calibrator back to unity
power factor (0° phase) press these keys:
11. Press the under SHOW PHASE and notice that the phase is
now indicated at 0°.
12. To view other power mode features, press the key to return to
the WAVES MENU.

19
Power harmonics
To cover harmonics analyzers like the Fluke 43B, the 55XX Series
multi-product calibrators can source harmonics of the fundamental
output frequency, up to the 50th harmonic. You access this capability
by pressing the under HARMONIC MENUS when the 55XX Series is
in ac power mode.
In HARMONIC MENUS mode, the control window displays the fun-
damental frequency, the selected harmonic and the source of the
fundamental, either the NORMAL or AUX terminal of the calibrator.
1. To set the harmonic, press the under HARMONIC MENUS then
the under HARMNIC.
2. To select the third harmonic, press the three on the numeric
keypad:
3. Now the calibrator is sourcing the fundamental frequency on
the NORMAL output and the third harmonic (180 Hz) on the
AUX terminal. To see this with the Calibration 43B, change the
Fluke 43B to Amps view by pressing the Enter key on the 43B
to select its harmonic display mode. Then push the F2 button to
select the Amps harmonics view. Use the to select the third
harmonic.
4. Press and remove all cables.
POWER
0•
12 3
4 5 6
78 9
ENTER
M
k
mV Hz
FIELD
EDIT
/
+
F
OPREARTH
TRIG
OUT
SCOPEMENU
PREV
SHIFT
RESET
CE
SETUP
REF
NEW
TC
MEAS
F
n
p
p
W
dBm sec
C
A
MULT
x
DIV
CAL
ZERO
STBY
5502A
CALIBRATOR
43B POWER QUALITY ANALYZER
HOLD
RUN
PRINT
ENTER
F1 F2 F3
RECORD
MENU
SAVE
1 2

20
Section 4: Overload
Protection
What you’ll need
In addition to a 55XX Series
Multi-Product Calibrator, you’ll
need a Fluke 1587 Insulation
Multimeter or equivalent.