Fluke 8508A User manual

®
8508A
Reference Multimeter
Users Manual
PN 1673798
July 2002 Rev. 4, 8/08
© 2002-2006 2008 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Printed in UK. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Each Fluke product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and
service. The warranty period is one year and begins on the date of shipment. Parts, product repairs, and
services are warranted for 90 days. This warranty extends only to the original buyer or end-user customer of
a Fluke authorized reseller, and does not apply to fuses, disposable batteries, or to any product which, in
Fluke's opinion, has been misused, altered, neglected, contaminated, or damaged by accident or abnormal
conditions of operation or handling. Fluke warrants that software will operate substantially in accordance
with its functional specifications for 90 days and that it has been properly recorded on non-defective media.
Fluke does not warrant that software will be error free or operate without interruption.
Fluke authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new and unused products to end-user customers
only but have no authority to extend a greater or different warranty on behalf of Fluke. Warranty support is
available only if product is purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet or Buyer has paid the
applicable international price. Fluke reserves the right to invoice Buyer for importation costs of
repair/replacement parts when product purchased in one country is submitted for repair in another country.
Fluke's warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke's option, to refund of the purchase price, free of charge repair,
or replacement of a defective product which is returned to a Fluke authorized service center within the
warranty period.
To obtain warranty service, 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 damage in transit. Following
warranty repair, the product will be returned to Buyer, transportation prepaid (FOB Destination). If Fluke
determines that failure was caused by neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident, or abnormal
condition of operation or handling, including overvoltage failures caused by use outside the product’s
specified rating, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components, Fluke will provide an estimate of repair
costs and obtain authorization before commencing the work. Following repair, the product will be returned to
the Buyer transportation prepaid and the Buyer will be billed for the repair and return transportation charges
(FOB Shipping Point).
THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FLUKE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES,
INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY.
Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an implied warranty, or exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not
apply to every buyer. 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
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
To register your product online, visit register.fluke.com

i
Table of Contents
Chapter Title Page
1 Introduction and Safety Information.................................................. 1-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 1-3
Contacting Fluke................................................................................................ 1-3
Unpacking and Inspection.................................................................................. 1-3
Standard Accessories..................................................................................... 1-4
Optional Accessories ..................................................................................... 1-4
Storing and Shipping the Multimeter................................................................. 1-5
Line Voltage ...................................................................................................... 1-5
Power Voltage Selector and Fuses ................................................................ 1-5
Changing Line Fuse or Supply Voltage Only ............................................... 1-5
Calibration Enable Switch ................................................................................. 1-6
System Use .................................................................................................... 1-6
Safety Considerations and Symbols................................................................... 1-6
General Safety Summary............................................................................... 1-6
Symbols ......................................................................................................... 1-8
Protection Class I........................................................................................... 1-9
Protective Earth/Ground............................................................................ 1-9
Do Not Operate Without Covers............................................................... 1-9
Safe Operating Conditions ........................................................................ 1-9
Fuse Requirements .................................................................................... 1-10
Rear Panel Detail....................................................................................... 1-10
The Power Cable and Power Supply Disconnection................................. 1-10
Terminal Connections ............................................................................... 1-11
Installation/Measurement Category I ............................................................ 1-11
Maintenance and Repair ................................................................................ 1-11
Moving and Cleaning .................................................................................... 1-11
2 Getting Acquainted with the Basics .................................................. 2-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 2-3
Input Terminals.................................................................................................. 2-3
The Front Panel Displays................................................................................... 2-4
Front Panel Keys................................................................................................ 2-4
Soft-Keys and Manual Conventions.............................................................. 2-4
Numeric Keyboard ........................................................................................ 2-5
Exiting a Menu .............................................................................................. 2-5

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Users Manual
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Major Function Keys..................................................................................... 2-5
Direct Action Keys ........................................................................................ 2-6
Mode Keys..................................................................................................... 2-6
Rear Panel .......................................................................................................... 2-7
Labels ............................................................................................................ 2-7
Fuses.............................................................................................................. 2-7
Voltage Selector ............................................................................................ 2-7
Power Input and Power Switch ..................................................................... 2-7
Calibration Switch ......................................................................................... 2-7
Rear Panel Connectors and Pin Designations.................................................... 2-8
Rear Inputs..................................................................................................... 2-8
External Trigger Input ................................................................................... 2-8
IEEE 488 Input/Output.................................................................................. 2-8
Power-On Configuration.................................................................................... 2-8
The 8508A-LEAD Measurement Lead Kit........................................................ 2-9
3 Making Measurements........................................................................ 3-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 3-3
Making Connections to the Multimeter -- General Guidelines.......................... 3-4
Using the Measurement Functions..................................................................... 3-5
DC Voltage.................................................................................................... 3-5
Measuring DC Voltage.................................................................................. 3-7
Making Input Connections........................................................................ 3-7
AC Voltage.................................................................................................... 3-8
Measuring AC Voltage.................................................................................. 3-11
Induced Interference.................................................................................. 3-11
Common Mode Rejection ......................................................................... 3-11
Lead Considerations.................................................................................. 3-11
Resistance...................................................................................................... 3-11
High Voltage Ohms....................................................................................... 3-13
True Ohms..................................................................................................... 3-15
Measuring Resistance.................................................................................... 3-16
2-Wire Measurements ............................................................................... 3-16
4-wire Measurements ................................................................................ 3-17
4-wire High Resistance Measurements ..................................................... 3-17
4-wire Resistance Zero.............................................................................. 3-18
ΩGuard..................................................................................................... 3-18
DC Current .................................................................................................... 3-20
Measuring DC Current .................................................................................. 3-21
AC Current .................................................................................................... 3-22
Measuring AC Current .................................................................................. 3-23
Temperature................................................................................................... 3-24
Measuring Temperature................................................................................. 3-27
Multimeter Inputs .............................................................................................. 3-28
Input............................................................................................................... 3-28
Using the INPUT Key ................................................................................... 3-28
SCAN OPERATIONS................................................................................... 3-29
Tru Ohms Ratio......................................................................................... 3-30
Monitoring Modes ............................................................................................. 3-31
Monitor Key .................................................................................................. 3-31
Displaying Signal Frequency......................................................................... 3-31
Displaying Standard Deviation...................................................................... 3-31
Devn Menu................................................................................................ 3-31
Displaying Maximum, Minimum, and Peak-to-Peak Readings .................... 3-32

Contents (continued)
iii
MAX Menu ............................................................................................... 3-32
Limit-Checking ......................................................................................... 3-32
Monitor Menu Tree ....................................................................................... 3-33
Utility................................................................................................................. 3-33
Using the Selftest Functions .............................................................................. 3-36
Test Menu Tree.............................................................................................. 3-36
Test Key ........................................................................................................ 3-37
Using the Math Functions.................................................................................. 3-38
Math Functions and Menu Tree..................................................................... 3-38
Math Configuration ....................................................................................... 3-39
Clear Functions .................................................................................................. 3-40
4 Remote Operations Using the IEEE 488 Interface............................ 4-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 4-3
Interface Capability: IEEE Standards 488.1 and 488.2 ..................................... 4-3
The Multimeter in IEEE 488.2 Terminology ................................................ 4-3
Programming Options ................................................................................... 4-3
Capability Codes ........................................................................................... 4-3
Interconnections................................................................................................. 4-4
Using the 8508A Reference Multimeter in a System ........................................ 4-5
Setting the Multimeter Address..................................................................... 4-5
Remote Operation General Considerations ................................................... 4-5
Syntax Diagrams in this Manual ................................................................... 4-5
The 8508A Status Reporting Structure.......................................................... 4-8
Types of Status Information Available.......................................................... 4-9
Syntax Diagrams of Major 8508A Functions .................................................... 4-10
DC Voltage.................................................................................................... 4-10
AC Voltage.................................................................................................... 4-11
Resistance: Normal OHMS ........................................................................... 4-13
Resistance: High Voltage OHMS.................................................................. 4-14
Resistance: True OHMS................................................................................ 4-15
DC Current .................................................................................................... 4-16
AC Current .................................................................................................... 4-17
Using Platinum Resistance Thermometers to obtain Temperature. .............. 4-18
Determine the PRT identity........................................................................... 4-18
Entering or Editing the Characteristics of a PRT to Non-volatile Store....... 4-19
Recalling the Characteristics of a Known PRT ............................................. 4-20
Deleting a Known PRT from the Non-volatile Store .................................... 4-20
Input............................................................................................................... 4-21
Guard ............................................................................................................. 4-21
Measurement Gate Width.............................................................................. 4-22
Maximum, Minimum and Peak-Peak............................................................ 4-22
Limits............................................................................................................. 4-24
Recall Limits ................................................................................................. 4-24
Enable Limits................................................................................................. 4-24
Standard Deviation ........................................................................................ 4-25
Syntax Diagrams of Math Functions ................................................................. 4-25
Averaging ...................................................................................................... 4-25
Multiplication ................................................................................................ 4-27
Subtraction..................................................................................................... 4-28
Division ......................................................................................................... 4-29
Decibel Calculations...................................................................................... 4-30
Syntax Diagram of Test ..................................................................................... 4-31
Selftest ........................................................................................................... 4-31

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Users Manual
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Device Errors and Syntax Diagrams.................................................................. 4-31
Error Detection .............................................................................................. 4-31
Recall Device Errors...................................................................................... 4-32
Triggering and Reading Operations................................................................... 4-33
Trigger Source Selector................................................................................. 4-33
Execute Trigger ............................................................................................. 4-34
Execute Trigger and Take a Reading ............................................................ 4-34
Settling Delay ................................................................................................ 4-34
Input Zero ...................................................................................................... 4-36
Wait ............................................................................................................... 4-36
Reading Recall............................................................................................... 4-36
Access to the Internal Buffer Memory .......................................................... 4-37
Internal Operations Commands ......................................................................... 4-39
Reset .............................................................................................................. 4-39
Complete Operations ..................................................................................... 4-40
Status Reporting................................................................................................. 4-40
Instrument I/D and Setup................................................................................... 4-44
Calibration Commands and Messages ............................................................... 4-46
Calibration Sequences ................................................................................... 4-46
Protected User Data....................................................................................... 4-48
Special Calibrations....................................................................................... 4-49
5 Specifications ...................................................................................... 5-1
Specifications..................................................................................................... 5-3
General Specifications................................................................................... 5-3
Maximum Voltage and Current Inputs.......................................................... 5-4
DC and AC Voltage .................................................................................. 5-4
DC and AC Current................................................................................... 5-4
Resistance and Temperature ..................................................................... 5-4
DC Voltage.................................................................................................... 5-5
DC Current .................................................................................................... 5-6
AC Voltage.................................................................................................... 5-7
AC Current .................................................................................................... 5-9
Resistance...................................................................................................... 5-11
Temperature................................................................................................... 5-13
Read Rate and Additional Uncertainty.......................................................... 5-14
Applying the Specifications............................................................................... 5-15
Introduction ................................................................................................... 5-15
Absolute and Relative Specifications ............................................................ 5-15
Applying User’s Calibration Uncertainties ................................................... 5-16
Operating and Calibration Temperature Ranges ........................................... 5-16
Applying Temperature Coefficient Specifications ........................................ 5-16
Ratio Measurements ...................................................................................... 5-17
Additional Errors ........................................................................................... 5-17
6 Calibration and Verification................................................................ 6-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 6-3
Calibration Overview......................................................................................... 6-3
Calibration Interval and Performance................................................................ 6-3
Calibration Points .............................................................................................. 6-3
Non-Nominal Values..................................................................................... 6-4
Enabling Access to Calibration Mode ............................................................... 6-4
Calibration Menus.............................................................................................. 6-4
Accessing the Calibration Menus and Calibration Mode .............................. 6-4

Contents (continued)
v
Calibration Menu........................................................................................... 6-4
SET VALUE Menu ....................................................................................... 6-5
SPOT CAL Menu .......................................................................................... 6-6
SPOT (1 to 6) RMS Menus ........................................................................... 6-6
SPOT FREQUENCY (1 to 6) Menu ............................................................. 6-6
Special Calibration ........................................................................................ 6-7
SPCL Menu ................................................................................................... 6-7
SER # = Menu ............................................................................................... 6-7
Hvlin Menu.................................................................................................... 6-8
Non-volatile input offset compensation............................................................. 6-8
Routine Calibration............................................................................................ 6-9
Equipment Required for Calibration ............................................................. 6-10
Preparing for Calibration............................................................................... 6-10
Interconnections ............................................................................................ 6-11
ADC Calibration............................................................................................ 6-13
DC Voltage Calibration................................................................................. 6-13
AC Voltage Calibration................................................................................. 6-15
Resistance Calibration ................................................................................... 6-17
DC Current Calibration ................................................................................. 6-24
AC Current Calibration ................................................................................. 6-26
Frequency Calibration ................................................................................... 6-27
Exit From Calibration Mode and Non-Volatile Input Offset Adjustment..... 6-28
Cal Due Date Entry and Calibration Mode Disable ...................................... 6-29
ACV Spot Frequency Calibration...................................................................... 6-29
Performance Verification................................................................................... 6-30
Equipment Requirements .............................................................................. 6-31
Interconnections ............................................................................................ 6-31
Applicable Verification Tolerance and Conditions ....................................... 6-31
Preparation..................................................................................................... 6-32
DC Voltage Checks ....................................................................................... 6-32
AC Voltage Checks ....................................................................................... 6-34
Resistance Checks ......................................................................................... 6-36
DC Current Checks........................................................................................ 6-39
AC Current Checks........................................................................................ 6-40
Frequency Checks ......................................................................................... 6-42
Appendices
A Error Codes and Message............................................................................ A-1
B Rack Mount Kit........................................................................................... B-1
C Rack Mount Slide Kit.................................................................................. C-1

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Users Manual
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vii
List of Tables
Table Title Page
1-1. Standard Accessories ............................................................................................. 1-4
1-2. Additional Accessories for the Multimeter ............................................................ 1-4
1-3. Power Input Fuse 1................................................................................................. 1-10
1-4. Current Function Rear Input Fuse 2....................................................................... 1-10
3-1. Identifying and Avoiding Errors ............................................................................ 3-4
4-1. IEEE Interface Capability ...................................................................................... 4-4
4-2. Delay Defaults for DCV, DCI, ACV, and ACI...................................................... 4-35
4-3. Delay Defaults for Ohms, Tru Ohms, and Hi Ohms .............................................. 4-35
6-1. Required Equipment for Calibration and Performance Verification...................... 6-10
6-2. Calibration Sequence ............................................................................................. 6-11
6-3. DC Voltage Calibration Points and Sequence........................................................ 6-14
6-4. AC Voltage Calibration Points and Sequence........................................................ 6-16
6-5. Resistance Calibration Points and Sequence.......................................................... 6-17
6-6. DC Current Calibration Points and Sequence ........................................................ 6-25
6-7. AC Current Calibration Points and Sequence ........................................................ 6-27
6-8. DC Voltage Verification Points and Sequence ...................................................... 6-33
6-9. AC Voltage Verification Points and Sequence ...................................................... 6-35
6-10. Resistance Verification Points and Sequence ........................................................ 6-38
6-11. DC Current Verification Points and Sequence....................................................... 6-40
6-12. AC Current Verification Points and Sequence....................................................... 6-41

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Users Manual
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