Fluke 789 User manual

789/787B
ProcessMeter™
Users Manual
August 2002, Rev. 4, 1/17
© 2002-2017 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
This Fluke product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This war-
ranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries, or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not authorized to extend any other warranty on Fluke’s behalf.
To obtain service during the warranty period, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authoriza-
tion information, then send the product to that Service Center with a description of the problem.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some states or countries
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of
liability may not apply to you.
Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090
U.S.A.
Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 1186
5602 BD Eindhoven
The Netherlands
11/99

i
Table of Contents
Title Page
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
How to Contact Fluke..................................................................................................... 2
Safety Information.......................................................................................................... 2
How to Get Started......................................................................................................... 6
Getting Acquainted with the Meter ................................................................................. 7
Measuring Electrical Parameters.................................................................................... 18
Input Impedance........................................................................................................ 18
Ranges...................................................................................................................... 18
Testing Diodes........................................................................................................... 18
Displaying Minimum, Maximum, and Average........................................................... 19
Using AutoHold.......................................................................................................... 19
Compensating for Test Lead Resistance................................................................... 20
Using the Current Output Functions............................................................................... 20
Source Mode............................................................................................................. 20
Simulate Mode........................................................................................................... 22
Producing a Steady mA Output................................................................................. 24
Manually Stepping the mA Output............................................................................. 25
Auto Ramping the mA Output.................................................................................... 26

789/787B
Users Manual
ii
Power-Up Options ......................................................................................................... 26
Loop Power Supply Mode (789 only)............................................................................. 28
Battery Life..................................................................................................................... 30
Maintenance.................................................................................................................. 30
Calibration................................................................................................................. 31
Replacing the Batteries............................................................................................. 31
Replacing a Fuse...................................................................................................... 33
If the Meter does not Work........................................................................................ 34
Replacement Parts and Accessories............................................................................. 34
Specifications................................................................................................................. 38

1
ProcessMeter
Introduction
Warning
Read “Safety Information” before using the
meter.
The Fluke 789/787B ProcessMeter(the Meter or
Product) is a handheld, battery-operated tool for
measuring electrical parameters and supplying steady or
ramping current to test process instruments. All
illustrations in this manual show the 789 model.
The 789 adds a 24 V loop power supply. It has all the
features of a digital multimeter, plus current output
capability.
If the meter is damaged or something is missing, contact
the place of purchase immediately. Contact a Fluke
distributor for information about DMM (digital multimeter)
accessories. To order replacement parts or spares, see
Table 13 near the end of this manual.

789/787B
Users Manual
2
How to Contact Fluke
To contact Fluke, call one of the following telephone
numbers:
•Technical Support USA: 1-800-44-FLUKE
(1-800-443-5853)
•Calibration/Repair USA: 1-888-99-FLUKE
(1-888-993-5853)
•Canada: 1-800-36-FLUKE (1-800-363-5853)
•Europe: [phone]
•Japan: [phone]
•Singapore: [phone]
•Anywhere in the world: [phone]
Or, visit Fluke's website at www.fluke.com.
To register your product, visit http://register.fluke.com.
To view, print, or download the latest manual supplement,
visit http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/manuals.
Safety Information
A Warning identifies conditions and procedures that are
dangerous to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and
procedures that can cause damage to the Product or the
equipment under test.
International symbols used on the meter and in this
manual are explained in Table 1.
Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or
personal injury:
•Read all safety information before you use the
Product.
•Carefully read all instructions.
•Do not alter the Product and use only as
specified, or the protection supplied by the
Product can be compromised.
•Remove the batteries if the Product is not
used for an extended period of time, or if
stored in temperatures above 50 °C. If the
batteries are not removed, battery leakage
can damage the Product.

ProcessMeter™
Safety Information
3
•The battery door must be closed and locked
before you operate the Product.
•Replace the batteries when the low battery
indicator shows to prevent incorrect
measurements.
•Comply with local and national safety codes.
Use personal protective equipment (approved
rubber gloves, face protection, and flame-
resistant clothes) to prevent shock and arc
blast injury where hazardous live conductors
are exposed.
•Do not apply more than the rated voltage,
between the terminals or between each
terminal and earth ground.
•Do not work alone.
•Limit operation to the specified measurement
category, voltage, or amperage ratings.
•Use Product-approved measurement category
(CAT), voltage, and amperage rated
accessories (probes, test leads, and adapters)
for all measurements.
•Measure a known voltage first to make sure
that the Product operates correctly.
•Use the correct terminals, function, and range
for measurements.
•Do not touch voltages > 30 V ac rms, 42 V ac
peak, or 60 V dc.
•Do not use the Product around explosive gas,
vapor, or in damp or wet environments.
•Do not use the Product if it operates
incorrectly.
•Examine the case before you use the Product.
Look for cracks or missing plastic. Carefully
look at the insulation around the terminals.
•Do not use test leads if they are damaged.
Examine the test leads for damaged
insulation, exposed metal, or if the wear
indicator shows. Check test lead continuity.

789/787B
Users Manual
4
•Keep fingers behind the finger guards on the
probes.
•Only use probes, test leads, and accessories
that have the same measurement category,
voltage, and amperage ratings as the Product.
•Remove all probes, test leads, and
accessories before the battery door is
opened.
•Remove all probes, test leads, and
accessories that are not necessary for the
measurement.
•Do not exceed the Measurement Category
(CAT) rating of the lowest rated individual
component of a Product, probe, or accessory.
•Do not use test leads if they are damaged.
Examine the test leads for damaged
insulation and measure a known voltage.
•Do not use a current measurement as an
indication that a circuit is safe to touch. A
voltage measurement is necessary to know if
a circuit is hazardous.
•Do not use the Product if it is altered or
damaged.
•Do not use in CAT III or CAT IV environments
without the protective cap installed on test
probe. The protective cap decreases the
exposed probe metal to <4 mm. This
decreases the possibility of arc flash from
short circuits.

ProcessMeter™
Safety Information
5
Table 1. International Symbols
Symbol Description Symbol Description
WARNING. RISK OF DANGER. WARNING. HAZARDOUS VOLTAGE. Risk
of electric shock.
Consult user documentation. Conforms to relevant South Korean EMC
Standards
Conforms to European Union directives Minimum fuse interrupt rating.
Certified by CSA Group to North American safety
standards. Conforms to relevant Australian Safety and EMC standards.
AC (Alternating Current) Earth
DC (Direct Current) Fuse
Battery Double Insulated
Measurement Category II is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected directly to utilization points
(socket outlets and similar points) of the low-voltage MAINS installation.
Measurement Category III is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected to the distribution part of the
building’s low-voltage MAINS installation.
Measurement Category IV is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected at the source of the building’s
low-voltage MAINS installation.
This product complies with the WEEE Directive marking requirements. The affixed label indicates that you must not
discard this electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste. Product Category: With reference to the
equipment types in the WEEE Directive Annex I, this product is classed as category 9 "Monitoring and Control
Instrumentation" product. Do not dispose of this product as unsorted municipal waste.

789/787B
Users Manual
6
How to Get Started
Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or
personal injury:
•Disconnect power and discharge all high-
voltage capacitors before you measure
resistance, continuity, capacitance, or a diode
junction.
•Remove circuit power before you connect the
Product in the circuit when you measure
current. Connect the Product in series with
the circuit.
•Do not use the HOLD function to measure
unknown potentials. When HOLD is turned
on, the display does not change when a
different potential is measured.
If familiar with the Fluke 80 Series DMM, read “Using the
Current Output Functions,” review the tables and figures in
“Getting Acquainted with the Meter,” and begin using the
meter.
If unfamiliar with Fluke 80 Series DMMs, or DMMs in
general, read “Measuring Electrical Parameters” in
addition to the sections referenced in the previous
paragraph.
The sections following “Using the Current Output
Functions” contain information about the power-up options,
and battery and fuse replacement instructions.
See Table 2 for an overview of the meter.

ProcessMeter™
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
7
Table 2. 789/787B ProcessMeter
0%
1
2
3
4
anw014f.eps
Item Description
Display
Rotary switch
Pushbuttons
Input/Output jacks
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
To become familiar with the features and functions of the
meter, study these tables:
•Table 3 describes the input/output jacks.
•Table 4 describes the input functions of the first six
rotary function switch positions.
•Table 5 describes the output functions of the last
three rotary function switch positions.
•Table 6 describes the functions of the pushbuttons.
•Table 7 explains what all the elements of the display
indicate.

789/787B
Users Manual
8
Table 3. Input/Output Jacks
13
4
2
mA
ACOM
V
anw001f.eps
Item Jack Measurement Functions Source Current Function Simulate Transmitter Function
A c
Input for current to 440 mA
continuous. (1 A for up to
30 seconds.) Fused with a
440 mA fuse.
Output for dc current to 24
mA. Output for loop power
supply (789 only).
mA dInput for current to 30 mA.
Fused with a 440 mA fuse. Common for dc current output
to 24 mA. Common for loop
power supply.
Output for transmitter simulation to
24 mA. (Use in series with an
external loop supply.)

V
Input for voltage to 1000 V, Ω,
continuity, and diode test.
COM Common for all measurements. Common for transmitter simulation
to 24 mA. (Use in series with an
external loop supply.)

ProcessMeter™
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
9
Table 4. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements
2
3
4
1
6
5
anw002f.eps
No. Position Function(s) Pushbutton Actions
OFF Meter off
S
Default:
Measure ac V
h
Frequency counter
MSelects a MIN, MAX, or AVG action
RSelects a fixed range (hold 1 second for auto range)
HToggles AutoHold
rToggles relative reading (sets a relative zero point)

789/787B
Users Manual
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Table 4. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements (cont.)
No. Position Function(s) Pushbutton Actions
TDefault:
Measure dc V
h
Frequency counter
Same as above
U
Default:
Measure dc mV
h
Frequency counter
Same as above (mV has only one range)
VDefault: Measure Ω
Gfor continuity
J(Blue) Dtest
Same as above (diode test has only one range)
W
High test lead in cA: Measure
A dc
J(Blue) selects ac
High test lead in dmA:
Measure mA dc
Same as above (only one range for each input jack position,
30 mA or 1 A)

ProcessMeter™
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
11
Table 5. Rotary Function Switch Positions for mA Output
2
3
1
anw008f.eps
No. Position Default Function Pushbutton Actions
OUTPUT
X
Test leads in
SOURCE:
Source 0 % mA
Test leads in SIMULATE:
Sink 0 % mA
% STEP Xor W: Adjusts output up or down to the next 25 % step
COARSE Xor W: Adjusts output up or down 0.1 mA
FINE Xor W: Adjusts output up or down 0.001 mA
sets output to 0 %
sets output to 100 %

789/787B
Users Manual
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Table 5. Rotary Function Switch Positions for mA Output (cont.)
No. Position Default Function Pushbutton Actions
OUTPUT
Y
monp
Test leads in
SOURCE:
Source repeating
0 % -100 %-0 %
slow ramp (m)
Test leads in SIMULATE:
Sink repeating
0 % -100 %-0 %
slow ramp (m)
J(Blue) cycles through:
•Fast repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp (oon display)
•Slow repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp in 25 % steps (non
display)
•Fast repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp in 25 % steps ( pon
display)
•Slow repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp (mon display)

mA
LOOP POWER
250
HART
(789 only)
Test leads in SOURCE:
Supply 24 V loop power,
measure mA
J(Blue) cycles through:
•250 Ωseries resistor for HART communication switched in
•250 Ωseries resistor switched out

ProcessMeter™
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
13
Table 6. Pushbuttons
0%
RANGE HOLD
REL
MIN MAX
Hz
100%
6
7
3
2
1
910
8
4 5
anw003f.eps
No. Pushbutton Function
KSet the backlight to low, high, and off
Span Check
mA Output: Adjusts mA output to 0 %
value (4 mA or 0 mA)

Span Check mA Output: Sets mA output to 100 %
value (20 mA)


M
% STEP
Measuring: Selects a MIN, MAX, or
AVG action
mA Output: Adjusts mA output up to
the next higher 25 % step

R
COARSE
Measuring: Selects a fixed range (hold
for 1 second for auto range)
mA Output: Adjusts output up 0.1 mA

789/787B
Users Manual
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Table 6. Pushbuttons (cont.)
No. Pushbutton Function
 H
FINE
Measuring: Toggles AutoHold, or in MIN MAX recording, suspends recording
mA Output: Adjusts output up 0.001 mA
FINE h

Measuring: Toggles between frequency counter and voltage measurement functions
mA Output: Adjusts output down 0.001 mA

J
(BLUE)
(alternate
function)
Rotary function switch in Wposition and test lead plugged into Acjack: Toggles between
ac and dc ampere measure
Rotary function switch in Vposition: Toggles diode test function (D)
Rotary function switch in OUTPUT Ymonp position: cycles through
•Slow repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp (mon display)
•Fast repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp (oon display)
•Slow repeating 0 % -100 % - 0 % ramp in 25 % steps (pon display)
•Fast repeating 0 % - 100 % - 0 % ramp in 25 % steps (pon display)
Rotary function switch in loop supply position (789 only)
•Switch in/out 250 Ωseries resistor
COARSE r

Measuring: Toggles relative reading (sets a relative zero point)
mA Output: Adjusts output down 0.1 mA
% STEP G

Measuring: Toggles between Ωmeasure and continuity functions
mA Output: Adjusts mA output down to the next lower 25 % step

ProcessMeter™
Getting Acquainted with the Meter
15
Table 7. Display
12
3
4
5
6
8
7
11
2
117 16
9
10
13
14
15
anw004f.eps
No. Element Meaning
% (Percentage display) Shows the mA measured value or output level in %, in a 0-20 mA or 4-20 mA scale
(change scales with power-up option)
OUTPUT Lights when mA output (source or simulate) is active
SLights in continuity function

789/787B
Users Manual
16
Table 7. Display (cont.)
No. Element Meaning
Lights when dangerous voltage is detected
Lights when relative reading is on
bLights when the battery is low
qLights when the meter is transmitting or receiving over the IR port
Numerals
Show the input or output value
 lI Lights when AutoHold is on
DLights in diode test function
ILights when MIN MAX recording is held

NMAX
MINAVG
MIN MAX recording status indicators:
N- MIN MAX recording is on
MAX - the display is showing the maximum-recorded value
MIN - the display is showing the minimum-recorded value
AVG - the display is showing the average value
MkΩkHzmAV ACDC Show the input or output units and multipliers associated with the numerals