Fluke 187 User manual

®
Model 187 & 189
True RMS Multimeter
Getting Started
PN 1547486
August 2000
© 2000 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in USA
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY
Each Fluke 20, 70, and 180 Series DMM purchased after October 1, 1996 will be free from defects in material and workmanship for its life-
time. This warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries and damage from neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or ab-
normal 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
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THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
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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
11/99

i
Table of Contents
Title Page
Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Contacting Fluke ........................................................................................................... 1
Safety Information......................................................................................................... 1
Rotary Switch................................................................................................................ 4
Pushbuttons .................................................................................................................. 4
Understanding the Display ............................................................................................ 9
Setup Selections ........................................................................................................... 14
Parts.............................................................................................................................. 16
Safety and Compliances................................................................................................ 16
Feature Summary.......................................................................................................... 17
Physical Specifications.................................................................................................. 18
Basic Specifications....................................................................................................... 19
Detailed Accuracy Specifications .................................................................................. 20
Frequency Counter Sensitivity....................................................................................... 26
Burden Voltage (A, mA, µA).......................................................................................... 26
Input Characteristics...................................................................................................... 27

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
ii

1
True RMS Multimeter
Introduction
This Getting Started Manual provides basic information
on Models 187 and 189. Refer to the
Users Manual on
the accompanying CD-ROM for complete operating
instructions.
Contacting Fluke
To order accessories, receive assistance, or locate the
nearest Fluke distributor or Service Center, call:
USA: 1-888-993-5853 Canada:1-800-363-5853
Europe: [phone] Japan: [phone]
Singapore: [phone]
Anywhere in the world: [phone]
Address correspondence to:
Fluke Corporation Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 9090, P.O. Box 1186,
Everett, WA 98206-9090 5602 BD Eindhoven
USA The Netherlands
Visit us on the World Wide Web at: www.fluke.com
Safety Information
The Fluke Model 187 and Model 189 True RMS
Multimeters (hereafter referred to as the “meter”) comply
with:
•EN61010.1:1993
•ANSI/ISA S82.01-1994
•CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1-92
•1000V Overvoltage Category III, Pollution Degree 2
•UL 3111-1
Use the meter only as specified in the
Users Manual .
Otherwise, the protection provided by the meter may be
impaired.
A Warning identifies conditions and actions that pose
hazards to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and
actions that may damage the meter or the equipment
under test.

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
2
Safety Information
WWarning
To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, follow these guidelines:
•Do not use the meter if it is damaged. Before you use the meter, inspect the case. Look for cracks or
missing plastic. Pay particular attention to the insulation surrounding the connectors.
•Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal. Check the test leads for continuity.
Replace damaged test leads before you use the meter.
•If this product is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the
equipment may be impaired.
•Do not use the meter if it operates abnormally. Protection may be impaired. When in doubt, have the
meter serviced.
•Do not operate the meter around explosive gas, vapor, or dust.
•Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on the meter, between terminals or between any
terminal and earth ground.
•Before use, verify the meter’s operation by measuring a known voltage.
•When measuring current, turn off circuit power before connecting the meter in the circuit. Remember to
place the meter in series with the circuit.
•When servicing the meter, use only specified replacement parts.
•Use caution when working above 30 V ac rms, 42 V peak, or 60 V dc. Such voltages pose a shock
hazard.
•Avoid working alone.

True RMS Multimeter
Safety Information
3
Safety Information (cont.)
WWarning
•When using the probes, keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the probes.
•Connect the common test lead before you connect the live test lead. When you disconnect test leads,
disconnect the live test lead first.
•Remove test leads from the meter before you open the battery door.
•Do not operate the meter with the battery door or portions of the cover removed or loosened.
•To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or personal injury, replace the
batteries as soon as the low battery indicator (M) appears.
•Use only type AA batteries, properly installed in the meter case, to power the meter.
•To avoid the potential for fire or electrical shock, do not connect the thermocouples to electrically live
circuits.
Caution
To avoid possible damage to the meter or to the equipment under test, follow these guidelines:
•Disconnect circuit power and discharge all high-voltage capacitors before testing resistance,
continuity, diodes, or capacitance.
•Use the proper terminals, function, and range for your measurements.
•Before measuring current, check the meter’s fuses and turn power OFF to the circuit before connecting
the meter to the circuit.

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
4
Rotary Switch
Turn the meter on by selecting any measurement function
(identified with white letters around the rotary switch). The
meter presents a standard display for that function
(range, measurement units, modifiers, etc.) The display
may also be influenced by some of the choices made in
Setup.
Use the blue button to select any rotary switch alternate
function (labeled in blue letters). You can also use other
buttons to choose modifiers for the selected function.
When you turn the rotary switch from one function to
another, a display for the new function appears. Button
choices made in one function do not carry over into
another function.
With Model 189, a VIEW MEM switch position is
available.
Each position is described in Table 1.
Pushbuttons
The buttons activate features that augment the function
selected with the rotary switch. The buttons are described
in Table 2.
Use the blue button ( %) to access functions labeled in
blue for some of the rotary switch positions. Table 1
defines all blue button functions.
Use the yellow button ( O) followed by other buttons
to access additional features. These features appear in
yellow above the appropriate keys. Table 2 defines yellow
button features. This manual identifies the yellow button
feature in parentheses following the button sequence .
For example, activating the FAST MN MX mode appears
as OM(FAST MN MX).
The following yellow button features are not available on
Model 187:
( YES), ( NO), (LOGGING), and (SAVE).

True RMS Multimeter
Pushbuttons
5
Table 1. Rotary Switch Selections
Position Rotary Switch Function %Blue Key Function
\AC voltage measurement from 0 V to 1000.0 V dB over AC, AC over dB
,AC millivolt measurement from 0 mV to 1500.0 mV dB over AC, AC over dB
$DC voltage measurement from 0 V to 1000.0 V AC over DC (AC in primary display, DC in secondary
display), DC over AC, ac+dc
mDC millivolt measurement from 0 mV to 3000.0 mV AC over DC (AC in primary display, DC in secondary
display), DC over AC, ac+dc
jResistance measurement from 0 Ωto 500.0 MΩContinuity test
Conductance measurement from 0 nS to 50.00 nS
zCapacitance measurement from 0.001 nF to 50 mF Diode test
wTemperature measurement Toggles between °C and °F.

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
6
Table 1. Rotary Switch Selections (cont.)
Position Rotary Switch Function %Blue Key Function
IAC current measurements from 0 mA to 20.000 A none
=AC current measurements from 0 µA to 5000.0 µA none
KDC current measurements from 0 mA to 20.000 A AC over DC (AC in primary display, DC in secondary
display), DC over AC, ac+dc
xDC current measurements from 0 µA to 5000.0 µA AC over DC (AC in primary display, DC in secondary
display), DC over AC, ac+dc
VIEW
MEM (Model 189 only.) Access data held in the meter’s
memory. CLEAR MEM.

True RMS Multimeter
Pushbuttons
7
Table 2. Pushbuttons
Button Description Yellow Button Function Description
Note
Press
O to access “Yellow Button Functions.” The O box and the 24-hour clock appear in the lower corners
of the display and the primary display freezes, allowing time to press a second button.
T
lPress to turn backlight on or off. Also, in Setup, use the arrow function (l) to select the previous digit or
item in a list.
SETUP
OTPress to access Setup selections. Press to store a Setup selection and
proceed to the next selection.
QPress to freeze the displayed value. Press again to
release the display. AutoHOLD
OQPress to begin AutoHOLD; the last stable reading is displayed.
MPress to start retaining min, max, and average values.
Press successively to display max, min, and average
values. Press ON(CANCEL) to stop.
FAST MN MX
OMPress to start FAST MN MX mode, where min and max values for short
duration events are stored.
DPress to store the present reading as an offset
reference; subsequent readings show only the relative
difference from this value. Press again to show the
difference as a percentage of the reference.
LOGGING
OD
Press to start and stop Logging
(Model 189). Press O+ N
(CANCEL) to stop.

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
8
Table 2. Pushbuttons (cont.)
Button Description Yellow Button Function Description
[•In Setup, increment a digit . •In counter functions, select positive pulse slope.
•In ohms continuity, select beep on open.
•For VIEW MEM (Model 189), refer to Chapter 4 of
the Users Manual.
(none)
]
•In Setup, decrement a digit .
•In counter functions, select negative pulse slope.
•In ohms continuity, select beep on short.
•For VIEW MEM (Model 189), refer to Chapter 4 of
the Users Manual.
(none)
RExit AUTO and enter MANUAL ranging. In MANUAL,
select next input range. Press ON
(CANCEL) to return to AUTO.
SAVE
ORPress to save present reading (Model 189)
NSuccessively press for frequency, duty cycle, and
pulse width. CANCEL
ONCANCEL any %(blue key) function and all other button features.
%
sThe blue button. Press to access blue functions on the rotary switch. In Setup, use arrow function ( s) to
select the next digit or item in a list.
(none)

True RMS Multimeter
Understanding the Display
9
Understanding the Display
Display features are shown in Figure 1 and described in
Table 3. Major display features are described in the
Users
Manual .
Note
You can show all display segments (as shown in
Figure 1) by pressing Q while turning the
meter on. Release
Q to turn off the full
display.
14
6
54
32
1
789
13
12
11
10
17 16 15
tc011f.eps
Figure 1. Display Features

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
10
Table 3. Display Features
Number Feature Description
A~Continuity test function is selected.
B
< >
Bar Graph.
In normal operation 0 (zero) is on the left. In Relative %, 0 is in the center, negative
values are to the left and positive to the right.
The polarity indicator left of the bar graph shows the polarity of the input. Both polarity
indicators appear in REL% mode.
The arrow right of the bar graph indicates an overload condition.
Both arrows appear (without bar graph) when you can use T(l) and %(s) to select
settings in the setup mode.
CpPercent difference in Relative mode is being displayed in the primary display. The
reference value is shown in the secondary display
DeRelative (REL ∆) mode is active. The primary display has been modified by the
reference value shown in the secondary display.
E-Indicates negative readings. In Relative mode, this sign indicates that the present input
is less than the stored reference.
FZ>30 V ac and/or dc may be present at the input terminals.
GBLow battery. If flashing, battery failure is imminent, and logging and backlight are
disabled. WWarning
To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or personal
injury, replace the battery as soon as the low battery indicator appears.

True RMS Multimeter
Understanding the Display
11
Table 3. Display Features (cont.)
Number Feature Description
HFAST
MIN
MAX
AVG
FAST MN MX mode is enabled. ( OM)
Minimum reading displayed.
Maximum reading displayed.
Average reading displayed.
I;Readings are being recorded in memory (Model 189 only.) ( O+ D)
JgThe meter is in Hold mode. ( Q)
KgS AutoHOLD is active. ( O+ Q)
L8.8.8.8.8 Primary Display (4-1/2 digit)
0L Overload input.
MMeasurement Units
V, mV V: Volts. The unit of voltage.
mV: Millivolt. 1 x 10-3 or 0.001 volts.
dBm, dBV For ac volts functions, reading is shown in decibels of power above or below 1 mW
(dBm) or decibels of voltage above or below 1 V (dBV).

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
12
Table 3. Display Features (cont.)
Number Feature Description
MAC+DC For dc volts and dc amps functions, reading represents the rms total of ac and dc
measurements.
e, keMe,Ω: Ohm. The unit of resistance.
kΩ: Kilohm. 1 x 103or 1000 ohms.
MΩ: Megohm. 1 x 106or 1,000,000 ohms.
nS S: Siemens. The unit of conductance.
nS: Nanosiemens. 1 x 10-9 or 0.000000001 Siemens.
nF, µF, mF F: Farad. The unit of capacitance.
nF: Nanofarad. 1 x 10-9 or 0.000000001 farads.
µF: Microfarad. 1 x 10-6 or 0.000001 farads.
mF: Millifarad. 1 X 10 -3 or 0.001 farads.
°C ,°FDegrees Celsius (default) or Fahrenheit
A, mA, µAA: Amperes (amps). The unit of current.
mA: Milliamp. 1 x 10-3 or 0.001 amperes.
µA: Microamp. 1 x 10-6 or 0.000001 amperes.
Hz, kHz, MHz Hz: Hertz. The unit of frequency.
kHz: Kilohertz. 1 x 103or 1000 hertz.
MHz: Megahertz. 1 x 106or 1,000,000 hertz.

True RMS Multimeter
Understanding the Display
13
Table 3. Display Features (cont.)
Number Feature Description
N51000
AUTO MANUAL Range. Digits display range in use.
O
fMS88:88
Time Display. Used with HOLD, AutoHOLD, MIN MAX, FAST MN MX, (SAVE, and
LOGGING Model 189).
Elapsed Time Display (fon): shown in minutes:seconds to maximum of 59:59 - used if
time since Min, Max, or Logging started is less than 60 minutes. Always used for Min,
Max, Avg. Displays hours:minutes after 1 hour.
HM88:88 24-hour Display (foff): shown in hours:minutes to maximum of 23:59.
P8.8.8.8 Secondary Display
QMEM
q18888
Memory Index Display (Model 189). Also used for dBm reference resistance.
qappears when you can use [and ]to increment or decrement
settings.

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
14
Setup Selections
The meter allows you to change the default operating
configuration of the meter by changing setup options
made at the factory. Many of these setup options affect
general meter operations and are active in all functions.
Others are limited to one function or group of functions.
To enter the Setup mode, turn the meter on and press
OT(SETUP). In the Setup mode, each press of
OT(SETUP) saves changes to the last selection
and steps to the next option.
Each setup option appears in the primary display in the
sequence shown in Tables 4 and 5.
The options in Table 4 are available only when the
preconditions are met. The options in Table 5 are
available for all functions. (When measuring dc volts,
none of the preconditions in Table 4 are required, and
only the selections shown in Table 5 will appear.)
To exit the Setup mode, Press ON(CANCEL).
Be sure to save your last selection by pressing OT
first.
Table 4. Function Specific Setup Selections
Selection Precondition Option Choices (
< > ) Factory Default
000.0 °C
or
000.0 °F
Temperature ( w)
selected. Temperature offset adjust 000.0 °to ±999.9 °- Use qto increment or decrement digit.
Use < > to select digit. Selected digit
flashes.
000.0 °C(or °F)
LInt Model 189 only. Log interval MM:SS - Use qto increment or decrement
minute or second values.
Use < > to select minute or seconds.
Selected values flash.
15:00
dbrEF AC volts (\or
,) selected. dB type dBm or dBV (m or V flashing) - Use
< > to
select. dBV
dbrEF AC volts (\or
,) and dBm
selected.
dBm reference 0001 Ωto 1999 Ω- Use qto increment or
decrement digit.
Use < > to select digit.
0600 Ω

True RMS Multimeter
Setup Selections
15
Table 5. Common Setup Selections
Selection Option Choices Factory Default
bEEP Beeper yE5 or no (flashing) Use < > to select. yE5
8888 Display digits 8888 (4) or 88888 (5) Use < > to select. 88888
bLoFF Backlight time out MM:SS - Use qto increment or decrement minute or
second values.
Use
< > to select minutes or seconds. Selected values
flash. Setting value to 00:00 disables timeout.
15:00
Pr0FF Power off time out HH:MM - Use qto increment or decrement hour or minute
values.
Use
< > to select hours or minutes. Selected values flash.
00:15
Hour 24-hour clock HH:MM - Use qto increment or decrement hour or minute
values.
Use
< > to select hours or minutes. Selected values flash.
00:00
50-60 Line/Main frequency 60 or 50 (flashing) - Use < > to select. 60
Fcty Restore factory defaults yE5 or no (flashing) - Use < > to select. no

Model 187 & 189
Getting Started
16
Parts
Replacement parts are listed in Table 6. These parts can
be ordered by contacting Fluke. Refer to the Users
Manual for a complete list of user-replaceable parts.
Table 6. Parts
Description Reference Designators Part Number Qty
Access Door, Battery / Fuse MP14 666446 1
Tilt-Stand MP8 659026 1
Accessory Mount MP9 658424 1
WFuse, 0.44 A (44/100 A, 440 mA), 1000 V, FAST F1 943121 1
WFuse, 11 A,1000 V FAST F2 803293 1
Battery, 1.5 V, 0-15 mA, AA Alkaline H8, H9, H10, H11 376756 4
Fasteners, Battery / Fuse Access Door H12, H13 948609 2
Screws, Phillip-Head H4, H5, H6, H7 832246 4
AC70A Alligator Clip (Black) MP38 738047 1
AC70A Alligator Clip (Red) MP39 738120 1
TL71 Right-Angle Test Lead Set MP34 802980 1
Getting Started Manual (TM1-TM5) (see footnote) 5
CD-ROM (Contains Users Manual) (TM6) 1576992 1
Getting Started Manual PNs: English=1577028; French, German, Italian, Dutch=1577037; Danish, Finnish, Norwegian,
Swedish=1577055; French, Spanish, Portuguese=1577043; Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Japanese,Thai=1577062