Fluke 175 User manual

®
Models 175, 177, 179
True RMS Multimeters
Users Manual
October 2000 (English), Rev 1, 7/01
© 2000-2001 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

Lifetime Limited Warranty
Each Fluke 175, 177, and 179 DMM purchased after 1 January 2000 will be free from defects in material and workmanship for its lifetime.
This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries and damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal
conditions of operation or handling, including overvoltage failures caused by use outside the DMMs specified rating, or normal wear and tear
of mechanical components. This warranty covers the original purchaser only and is not transferable.
For ten years from the date of purchase, this warranty also covers the LCD. Thereafter, for the lifetime of the DMM, Fluke will replace the
LCD for a fee based on then current component acquisition costs.
To establish original ownership and prove date of purchase, please complete and return the registration card accompanying the product.
Fluke will, at its option, repair at no charge, replace, or refund the purchase price of a defective product purchased through a Fluke author-
ized sales outlet and at the applicable international price. Fluke reserves the right to charge for importation costs of repair/replacement parts
if product purchased in one country is sent for repair elsewhere.
If product is defective, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product
to that service center, with a description of the difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid (FOB Destination). Fluke assumes no risk for dam-
age in transit. Fluke will pay return transportation for product repaired or replaced in-warranty. Before making any non-warranty repair, Fluke
will estimate cost and obtain authorization, then invoice you for repair and return transportation.
THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-
AGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. AUTHORIZED RESELLERS ARE NOT
AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND ANY DIFFERENT WARRANTY ON FLUKE’S BEHALF. Since some states do not allow the exclusion or limita-
tion of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you. If any provision of this
warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision.
Fluke Corporation Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 9090 P.O. Box 1186
Everett, WA 98206-9090 5602 BD Eindhoven
U.S.A. The Netherlands
Visit the Fluke website at: www.fluke.com.
Register your Meter at: www.fluke-warranty.com.
11/99

i
Table of Contents
Title Page
Read Before Using the Meter: Warnings and Precautions .................................................... ii
Contacting Fluke................................................................................................................... 1
"Warning" and "Caution" Statements .................................................................................... 1
Unsafe Voltage ..................................................................................................................... 1
Test Lead Alert...................................................................................................................... 1
Battery Saver ("Sleep Mode") ............................................................................................... 2
Terminals.............................................................................................................................. 2
Rotary Switch Positions ........................................................................................................ 2
Display.................................................................................................................................. 3
MIN MAX AVG Recording Mode........................................................................................... 4
Display HOLD and AutoHOLD Modes................................................................................... 4
YELLOW Button.................................................................................................................... 4
Display Backlight (Model 177 and 179 Only)......................................................................... 4
Manual Ranging and Autoranging......................................................................................... 5
Power-Up Options................................................................................................................. 5
Making Basic Measurements................................................................................................ 6
Measuring AC and DC Voltage........................................................................................ 6
Measuring Resistance...................................................................................................... 6
Measuring Capacitance ................................................................................................... 6
Testing for Continuity....................................................................................................... 7
Measuring Temperature (Model 179 Only)....................................................................... 7
Testing Diodes................................................................................................................. 7
Measuring AC or DC Current........................................................................................... 8
Measuring Frequency ...................................................................................................... 8
Using the Bar Graph .............................................................................................................9
Cleaning................................................................................................................................9
Testing the Fuses.................................................................................................................. 9
Replacing the Battery and Fuses .......................................................................................... 10
Specifications........................................................................................................................ 10

ii
W
Warning. Read before using the Meter:
To avoid possible electrical shock or personal injury, follow these gidelines:
⇒Use the Meter only as specified in this manual or the protection provided by the Meter might be impaired.
⇒Do not use the Meter or test leads if they appear damaged, or if the Meter is not operating properly. If in doubt, have the
Meter serviced.
⇒Always use the proper terminals, switch position, and range for measurements.
⇒Verify the Meter’s operation by measuring a known voltage.
⇒Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on the Meter, between the terminals or between any terminal and earth
ground.
⇒Use caution with voltages above 30 V ac rms, 42 V ac peak, or 60 V dc. These voltages pose a shock hazard.
⇒Replace the battery as soon as the low battery indicator ( b) appears to avoid false readings that can lead to electric shock
and injury.
⇒Disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before testing resistance, continuity, diodes, or
capacitance.
⇒Do not use the Meter around explosive gas or vapor.
⇒When using the test leads, keep your fingers behind the finger guards.
⇒Remove test leads from the Meter before opening the Meter case or battery door.
Symbols
BAC (Alternating Current) IFuse
FDC (Direct Current) PConforms to European Union directives
F
BDC/AC Canadian Standards Association
JEarth ground TDouble insulated
WImportant Information; see manual Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Meter in accordance with IEC 61010-1. 54CJ
bBattery (Low battery when shown on display.)
;
N10140 Conforms to relevant Australian standards
Inspected and licensed by TÜV (Technischer Überwachungs Verein) Product Services

1
Models 175, 177 & 179
True RMS Multimeters
The Fluke Model 175, Model 177, and Model 179 are battery-
powered, true-RMS multimeters (hereafter "the Meter") with a
6000-count, 3 3/4-digit display and a bar graph. This manual
applies to all three models. All figures show the Model 179.
These meters meet CAT III and CAT IV IEC 61010 standards.
The IEC 61010 safety standard defines four overvoltage
categories (CAT I to IV) based on the magnitude of danger from
transient impulses. CAT III meters are designed to protect against
transients in fixed-equipment installations at the distribution level;
CAT IV meters are designed to protect against transients from the
primary supply level (overhead or underground utility service).
The Meter measures or tests the following:
♦AC / DC voltage & current ♦Diodes
♦Resistance ♦Continuity
♦Voltage & frequency ♦Capacitance
♦Temperature (Model 179 only)
Contacting Fluke
To contact Fluke, call:
1-888-993-5853 in USA and Canada
[phone] in Europe
[phone] in Japan
[phone] in Singapore
[phone] from anywhere in the world
Visit Fluke’s web site at: www.fluke.com.
Register your Meter at: www.fluke-warranty.com.
"Warning" and "Caution" Statements
A "
W
Warning" identifies hazardous conditions and actions that
could cause bodily harm or death.
A "Caution" identifies conditions and actions that could damage
the Meter, the equipment under test, or cause permanent loss of
data.
Unsafe Voltage
To alert you to the presence of a potentially hazardous voltage,
when the Meter detects a voltage ≥30 V or a voltage overload
(OL), the Ysymbol is displayed.
Test Lead Alert
To remind you to check that the test leads are in the correct
terminals, LEAd is momentarily displayed when you move the
rotary switch to or from the mA or Aposition.
W
Warning
Attempting to make a measurement with a test lead in
an incorrect terminal might blow a fuse, damage the
Meter, and cause serious personal injury.

Models 175, 177 & 179
Users Manual
2
Battery Saver ("Sleep Mode")
The Meter enters the "Sleep mode" and blanks the display if the
Meter is on but is not used for 20 minutes. To disable the Sleep
mode, hold down the YELLOW button while turning the Meter on.
The Sleep mode is always disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode
and the AutoHOLD mode.
Terminals
FUSED
V
1
2
3
4
AIK01F.EPS
Item Description
1 Input terminal for AC and DC milliamp measurements
to 400 mA (600 mA for 18 hrs) and frequency
measurements.
2 Input terminal for AC and DC current measurements to
10 A (20 A for up to 30 seconds) and frequency
measurements.
3 Input terminal for voltage, continuity, resistance, diode,
capacitance, frequency, and temperature (Model 179
only) measurements.
4 Common (return) terminal for all measurements.
Rotary Switch Positions
Switch
Position Measurement Function
K
Hz AC voltage from 0.1 mV to 1000 V.
Frequency from 2 Hz to 99.99 kHz.
L
Hz DC voltage 1 mV to 1000 V.
Frequency from 2 Hz to 99.99 kHz.
mL
T
DC mV 0.1 mV to 600 mV dc.
Temperature −40 °C to +400 °C
−40 °F to +752 °F
e
E
Ohms from 0.1 Ωto 50 MΩ.
Farads from 1 nF to 9999 µF.
R
G
2-kHz beeper turns on at <25 Ωand turns off at
>250 Ω.
Diode test. Displays OL above ~2.4 V.
F
B
mA
Hz
AC or DC mA from 0.01 mA to 600 mA.
Frequency of AC mA 2 Hz to 99.99 kHz.
F
B
A
Hz
AC or DC A from 0.01 A to 10 A (20 A for 30
seconds).
>10.00 display flashes.
>20 A, OL is displayed.
Frequency of AC A to 99.99 kHz.
Note: AC voltage and current AC-coupled, true RMS, up to 1 kHz.

Display
3
Display
8
7
7
56
4
3
2
1
13 14 15
9
11
12 10
AIK02F.EPS
No. Symbol Meaning
1 SContinuity test.
2
O
Diode test.
3 KNegative readings.
4 YUnsafe voltage. Voltage ≥30 V, or
voltage overload (OL)
5
h
A h
Display HOLD is enabled. Display
freezes present reading.
In MIN MAX AVG mode, MIN MAX
AVG recording is interrupted.
AutoHOLD is enabled. Display holds
present reading until it detects new
stable input. Then the Meter beeps
and displays new reading.
6
m
MAX , MIN,
AVG
MIN MAX AVG enabled.
Maximum, minimum, or average
reading.
No. Symbol Meaning
7 nµF, °F, °C
mVA, Mk
e , kHz Measurement units.
8 DC, AC Direct current, alternating current.
9 b
Low battery. Battery voltage < 6 V
±
0.2 V.
10 610000mV All possible ranges.
11 Bar graph Analog display.
12 Auto Range
Manual Range
The Meter selects the range with
the best resolution.
The user selects the range.
13 ±Bar graph polarity.
14 0L The input out of range.
15 LEAd
W
Test lead alert. Displayed when
the rotary switch is moved to or
from the mA or Aposition.
Error Messages
diSC Displayed while the capacitor discharges. In
Capacitance function only.
EEPr Cannot read data from EEPROM. Turn power off,
then on. If message remains, service Meter.
EEPr
Err Invalid EEPROM data. Have Meter serviced.
CAL
Err Invalid calibration data. Calibrate Meter.

Models 175, 177 & 179
Users Manual
4
MIN MAX AVG Recording Mode
The MIN MAX AVG recording mode captures the minimum and
maximum input values, and calculates a running average of all
readings. When a new high or low is detected, the Meter beeps.
Note
For DC functions, accuracy is the specified accuracy of the
measurement function
± 12 counts for changes longer than
275 ms in duration.
For AC functions, accuracy is the specified accuracy of the
measurement function
± 40 counts for changes longer than
1.2 s in duration.
To use MIN MAX AVG recording:
⇒Make sure that the Meter is in the desired measurement
function and range. (Autoranging is disabled in the MIN MAX
AVG mode.)
⇒Press MIN MAX to activate MIN MAX AVG mode.
m
and MAX light, and the highest reading detected
since entering MIN MAX AVG is displayed.
⇒Press MIN MAX to step through the low (MIN), average
(AVG), and present readings.
⇒To pause MIN MAX AVG recording without erasing stored
values, press HOLD.
h
is displayed.
To resume MIN MAX AVG recording, press HOLD again.
h
turns off.
⇒To exit and erase stored readings, press MIN MAX for 1
second or turn the rotary switch.
Display HOLD and AutoHOLD Modes
W
Warning
To avoid electric shock, do not use the Display HOLD or
AutoHOLD mode to determine if a circuit is live.
Unstable or noisy readings will not be captured.
In the Display HOLD mode, the Meter holds the reading on the
display.
In the AutoHOLD mode, the Meter holds the reading on the
display until it detects a new stable reading. Then the Meter
beeps and displays the new reading.
⇒Press HOLD to activate Display HOLD.
h
lights.
⇒Press HOLD again to activate AutoHOLD.
A h
lights.
⇒Press HOLD again to resume normal operation.
To resume normal operation at any time, press HOLD for 1
second or turn the rotary switch.
YELLOW Button
Press the YELLOW button to select alternate measurement
functions on a rotary switch setting, e.g., to select DC mA, DC A,
Hz, temperature (Model 179 only), capacitance, diode test.
Display Backlight (Model 177 and 179 Only)
Press S to toggle the backlight on and off. The backlight
automatically turns off after 2 minutes.

Manual Ranging and Autoranging
5
Manual Ranging and Autoranging
The Meter has both Manual range and Autorange modes.
⇒In the Autorange mode, the Meter selects the range with the
best resolution.
⇒In the Manual Range mode, you override Autorange and
select the range yourself.
When you turn the Meter on, it defaults to Autorange and Auto
Range is displayed.
1. To enter the Manual Range mode, press RANGE.
Manual Range is displayed.
2. In the Manual Range mode, press RANGE to increment the
range. After the highest range, the Meter wraps to the lowest
range.
Note
You cannot manually change the range in the MIN MAX
AVG, Display HOLD, or AutoHOLD modes.
If you press
RANGE while in MIN MAX AVG, Display
HOLD, or AutoHOLD, the Meter beeps, indicating an
invalid operation, and the range does not change.
3. To exit Manual Range, press RANGE for 1 second or turn the
rotary switch.
The Meter returns to Autorange and Auto Range is displayed.
Power-Up Options
To select a Power-Up Option, hold down the button indicated
while turning the Meter from OFF to any switch position.
Power-Up Options are cancelled when the Meter is turned OFF.
Button Power-Up Options
AutoHOLD
H
Turns on all display segments.
Release HOLD to turn off display; the software
version number is displayed and the Meter
resumes normal operation.
MDisables beeper.
REnables "Smoothing" mode.
Dampens display fluctuations of rapidly changing
inputs by digital filtering.
B
(YELLOW)
Disables automatic power-down ("Sleep mode").
Sleep mode is also disabled while the Meter is in a
MIN MAX AVG Recording mode, or the AutoHOLD
mode.
SDisables automatic 2-minute backlight timeout.
(Model 177 and 179 Only)

Models 175, 177 & 179
Users Manual
6
Making Basic Measurements
The figures on the following pages show how to make basic
measurements.
When connecting the test leads to the circuit or device, connect
the common (COM) test lead before connecting the live lead;
when removing the test leads, remove the live lead before
removing the common test lead.
W
Warning
To avoid electric shock, injury, or damage to the Meter,
disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage
capacitors before testing resistance, continuity, diodes,
or capacitance.
Measuring AC and DC Voltage
_
+_ +
Volts AC Volts DC Millivolts DC
VVmV
RANGEHOLD
MINMAX
RANGEHOLD
MINMAX
RANGEHOLD
MINMAX
AIK03F.EPS
Measuring Resistance
RANGEHOLD
MINMAX
AIK04F.EPS
Measuring Capacitance
+_
+
RANGEHOLD
MINMAX
AIK05F.EPS