Fluke 8845A Use and care manual

®
8845A/8846A
Digital Multimeter
Calibration Manual
January 2007
© 2007 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved.
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 Specifications......................................................... 1-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 1-3
Safety Information ............................................................................................. 1-3
Symbols ......................................................................................................... 1-4
General Safety Summary............................................................................... 1-4
Description of IEC 61010 Measurement Categories ......................................... 1-6
Organization of the Calibration Manual ............................................................ 1-7
Chapter 1 – Introduction and Specifications ................................................. 1-7
Chapter 2 – General Maintenance ................................................................. 1-7
Chapter 3 – Performance Test and Calibration.............................................. 1-7
Chapter 4 – List of Replaceable Parts ........................................................... 1-7
Operating Instructions........................................................................................ 1-7
Accessories ........................................................................................................ 1-7
General Specifications ....................................................................................... 1-9
Power............................................................................................................. 1-9
Dimensions.................................................................................................... 1-9
Display........................................................................................................... 1-9
Environment .................................................................................................. 1-9
Safety............................................................................................................. 1-9
EMC .............................................................................................................. 1-9
Triggering...................................................................................................... 1-9
Memory ......................................................................................................... 1-10
Math Functions.............................................................................................. 1-10
Electrical........................................................................................................ 1-10
Remote Interfaces.......................................................................................... 1-10
Warranty........................................................................................................ 1-10
Electrical Specifications .................................................................................... 1-10
DC Voltage Specifications ............................................................................ 1-10
Input Characteristics.................................................................................. 1-10
8846A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-11
8845A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-11
Additional Errors....................................................................................... 1-11
AC Voltage Specifications ............................................................................ 1-11
Input Characteristics.................................................................................. 1-12
8846A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-12

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8845A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-13
Additional Low Frequency Errors............................................................. 1-13
Resistance...................................................................................................... 1-14
Input Characteristics.................................................................................. 1-14
8846A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-14
8845A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-14
Additional Ohms Errors ............................................................................ 1-15
DC Current .................................................................................................... 1-15
Input Characteristics.................................................................................. 1-15
Accuracy (8846A)..................................................................................... 1-15
Accuracy (8845A)..................................................................................... 1-16
Additional Current Errors ......................................................................... 1-16
AC Current .................................................................................................... 1-16
Input Characteristics.................................................................................. 1-16
8846A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-17
8845A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-18
Additional Low Frequency Errors............................................................. 1-18
Frequency ...................................................................................................... 1-18
8846A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-19
8845A Accuracy........................................................................................ 1-19
Gate Time vs. Resolution.......................................................................... 1-19
Additional Low Frequency Errors............................................................. 1-20
Capacitance (8846A Only) ............................................................................ 1-20
Temperature (8846A only) ............................................................................ 1-20
Continuity...................................................................................................... 1-20
Diode Test ..................................................................................................... 1-21
Measurement Rates ....................................................................................... 1-21
Measurement Uncertainty.................................................................................. 1-21
Interpreting Accuracy Specifications................................................................. 1-22
24-Hour Accuracy ......................................................................................... 1-22
90-Day and 1-Year Accuracy ........................................................................ 1-22
Temperature Coefficients .............................................................................. 1-22
Configuring for Highest Accuracy Measurements ............................................ 1-22
DC Voltage, DC Current, and Resistance Measurements ............................. 1-22
AC Voltage and AC Current Measurements: ................................................ 1-22
Frequency and Period Measurements:........................................................... 1-22
2 General Maintenance .......................................................................... 2-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 2-3
Warranty Repairs and Shipping Information..................................................... 2-3
General Maintenance Information ..................................................................... 2-3
Required Equipment...................................................................................... 2-3
Power Requirements...................................................................................... 2-3
Static Safe Handling ...................................................................................... 2-3
Cleaning............................................................................................................. 2-4
Fuse Replacement .............................................................................................. 2-4
Line-Power Fuse............................................................................................ 2-4
Current-Input Fuses ....................................................................................... 2-5
If the Meter Does Not Turn On.......................................................................... 2-7
Display Tests...................................................................................................... 2-7
Disassembly Procedures .................................................................................... 2-7
General Disassembly ..................................................................................... 2-7
Main Chassis Disassembly ............................................................................ 2-8
Front Panel Disassembly ............................................................................... 2-8

Contents (continued)
iii
Assembly Procedures......................................................................................... 2-8
3 Performance Test and Calibration..................................................... 3-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 3-3
Required Equipment .......................................................................................... 3-3
Test Considerations............................................................................................ 3-5
Performance Tests.............................................................................................. 3-5
Volts DC Verification.................................................................................... 3-5
Volts AC and Frequency Verification ........................................................... 3-8
4-Wire Ohms Verification............................................................................. 3-12
2-Wire Ohms Verification............................................................................. 3-14
2X4 Test Lead Verification Steps ................................................................. 3-16
Rear Panel Terminal Verification Steps ........................................................ 3-16
Capacitance Verification Steps (8846A only) ............................................... 3-18
DC Current Verification Steps ...................................................................... 3-19
AC Current Verification Steps ...................................................................... 3-22
Adjustment (Calibration) ................................................................................... 3-24
Unlocking the Meter for Front-Panel Adjustments (Calibration).................. 3-24
Unlocking the Meter for Adjustments Over a Remote Interface................... 3-25
Changing the Calibration Password .............................................................. 3-25
Resetting the Calibration Password............................................................... 3-25
Equipment for Calibration............................................................................. 3-26
Adjustment Process ....................................................................................... 3-26
Aborting a Calibration Process...................................................................... 3-32
Sample Adjustment Program......................................................................... 3-32
4 List of Replaceable Parts.................................................................... 4-1
Introduction........................................................................................................ 4-3
How to Obtain Parts........................................................................................... 4-3
How to Contact Fluke ........................................................................................ 4-3
Parts ................................................................................................................... 4-4
Appendices
A Verification Forms ...................................................................................... A-1
B Example Adjustment Program .................................................................... B-1

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v
List of Tables
Table Title Page
1-1. Safety and Electrical Symbols................................................................................ 1-4
1-2. Safety Information ................................................................................................. 1-5
1-3. Accessories............................................................................................................. 1-7
2-1. Line Voltage to Fuse Rating................................................................................... 2-5
3-1. Required Test Equipment....................................................................................... 3-3
3-2. 8846A DC Volts Verification Steps....................................................................... 3-6
3-3. 8845A DC Volts Verification Steps....................................................................... 3-7
3-4. 8846A AC Volts Verification Steps....................................................................... 3-9
3-5. 8845A AC Volts Verification Steps....................................................................... 3-10
3-6. 8845A/8846A AC Volts Frequency Verification Steps ......................................... 3-11
3-7. 8846A 4-Wire Ohms Verification Steps ................................................................ 3-13
3-8. 8845A 4-Wire Ohms Verification Steps ................................................................ 3-13
3-9. 8846A 2-Wire Ohms Verification Steps ................................................................ 3-15
3-10. 8845A 2-Wire Ohms Verification Steps ................................................................ 3-15
3-11. 8846A Rear-Panel Terminal Verification Steps (Optional Test) ........................... 3-18
3-12. 8845A Rear-Panel Terminal Verification Steps (Optional Test) ........................... 3-18
3-13. 8846A Capacitance Verification Steps .................................................................. 3-18
3-14. 8846A DC Current Verification Steps ................................................................... 3-19
3-15. 8845A DC Current Verifications Steps.................................................................. 3-20
3-17. 8845A AC Current Verification Steps ................................................................... 3-23
3-18. 8845A/8846A Adjustment Steps............................................................................ 3-27
4-1. Replaceable Parts ................................................................................................... 4-4
A-1. Blank Verification Record for 90-Day Specifications ........................................... A-2
A-2. Blank Verification Record for 1-Year Specifications ............................................ A-9

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vii
List of Figures
Figure Title Page
1-1. IEC 61010 Measurement Category (CAT) Levels................................................. 1-6
2-1. Line Fuse Replacement .......................................................................................... 2-5
2-2. Current Input Fuse Replacement............................................................................ 2-6
3-1. DC Volts Test Equipment Setup with 5520A ........................................................ 3-6
3-2. AC Volts Test Equipment Setup with 5520A ........................................................ 3-8
3-3. 4-Wire Ohms Test Equipment Setup ..................................................................... 3-12
3-4. 2-Wire Ohms Test Equipment Setup ..................................................................... 3-14
3-5. Rear-Panel Terminals Equipment Setup ................................................................ 3-17
3-6. Capacitance Equipment Setup................................................................................ 3-18
3-7. DC Current Equipment Setup ................................................................................ 3-19
3-8. AC Current Equipment Setup ................................................................................ 3-22
3-9. Calibration Jumper Location.................................................................................. 3-26
4-1. Final Assembly....................................................................................................... 4-7

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