EEVblog #10 Part 2 of 2 - Fluke 87 V Multimeter Review

[samgab]

I just got a Fluke 87-V today, and something about it is bugging me.

The ZERO OFFSET on the mA DC range and the uA DC range are out. The mA DC range zero offset is quite badly out. If I go to high res, instead of zero with open circuit, I get 0.020. I have a precision 1.000mA source. If I connect positively, I get a reading of 1.020 on the 87V. If I connect negatively, I get a reading of 0.980.

Now as the accuracy is .2%+4LSD in the 60mA range, I have that as a max allowable of 1.006. So out?

[samgab]

@samgab Actually, when on high res mode, the count is multiplied by 10, so it's 40 counts on the Millivolt range on High res, so it was within spec. But it really bugs me when there is a zero offset. Zero should be zero. Anyone else get a new Fluke 87V that was out on the DC A/mA ranges with the zero offset?

[goldcontact]

@samgab My 1-year-old 87V has the following offsets (after 10 min. warmup, hi-res mode, standard test leads plugged into appropriate sockets but open circuit): A-DC offset: +0.0009A; mA-DC offset: +0.009mA; uA-DC offset: -0.13uA. Fluke specs allow: A-DC offset: +/-0.0040A; mA-DC offset: +/-0.040mA; uA-DC offset: +/-0.40uA. The obvious solution it to press the REL button with a meter lead unplugged - could get annoying if you had to do it repeatedly and remember to select DC each time!

[samgab]

@goldcontact Thanks for that info on your one... I'd like to get a cal done, but it's NZD300 for a cal, and the meter new is NZD600, so it's half the cost of the meter just for a cal!! And it's not like the old ones that you could adjust by simply turning a trim pot... these ones you have to do the whole cal process in full, or not at all. You can't just calibrate the DC voltage and not the rest, for instance.

[Technoguy3]

Have you ever disassembled ANY White Westinghouse product? They seem to SUCK. I took apart a clock that would not keep time, and it was obviously not worth the effort.

[stepbrwn1981]

Hey guys.

Iv got a Fluke 87v Ex Intrinsically safe true RMS multimeter. 4 months old VGC for sale.

Message my inbox.. Cheers

[simonspiers]

Cheers Dave, love the Fluke's

[billysgeo]

Hello there Dave,

I am about to buy my first serious Multimeter, and I'd like your quick opinion...

I can find the Fluke 77 IV, the Fluke 87 (original version), used (of course the 77 IV will be less "used"), as well as the BK Precision 2709B new, at about the same price

Which one of the above would you pick??

I tend towards the 77-IV. What do you say?

(my target price is about 130 US Dolars without shipping)

Thank you in advance for your time!!!

Kind regards,

Bill Geo

[sepertude]

Im doing repairs and I got this meter and went back to Fluke 12 :)))

The only reason is when measuring diodes and if there is a voltage in the circuit Fluke 12 will discharge it, I believe it has 2K resistor that is in parallel connection...

It would be nice if Dave explanes this in details and tell us if there is any other Fluke meter that does the same.

[diulaylomochohai]

great review. thanks the made in USA sold me

[diulaylomochohai]

great review. thanks

[usy44u]

Hi I have a fluke 87v iii when i turn it on i can see a quick back light flash you notice it if you turn the meter off and turn it on quikly up to ac and you can see the digit boot up and backlight flash for half a sec. meter seems to read everything, how do i test my meter to see if it funtions correctly.

[ytrewqwer]

Bravo, video! I have a Fluke 85 since 1988, they do indeed last for decades. I also have a bunch of cheaper multimeters. What sets Fluke apart from cheap multimeters is ruggedness and safety. Any DMM can measure today for general use, milli to line voltage, but at micro and at line amps and volt levels a good meter shows it stuff. In line voltage ranges and up, users have to be sure it can be safely used without risk to your life or health, accuracy is another thing.

[sergio1020881]

The only thing i think about the fluke that fails is the push buttons loose their contact over years, they use direct contact with the pvc contact, the rubber of the button has a sort of a conducting layer that wears out. They should make it more viable.

[ytrewqwer]

@sergio1020881, sometimes dirt is attracted to it electrostatically. You can easily open it and wipe it down with alcohol to see if it does the trick. Although Fluke DMM can last a lifetime, the newer meters do have better specs and functions, and unlike other brands who have deteriorated through the years, their quality has remained, so new is a good bet.

[sergio1020881]

I would like to have a multimeter witch woud show the AC and DC measurement at the same time, instead of selecting. Do you have one that does that.

[ytrewqwer]

@sergio1020881, for such use, I'd use an oscilloscopes, from Fluke its the scopemeter series, but they run $2000 and up. You can get el-cheapo versions for under $200.

[Deeked]

Thanks for the review m8. I'm thinking of an upgrade to this unit.

[kenryder]

I have a fluke 87-III and the things absolutely burns through 9-volt batteries. Does anyone else have this problem?

[ytrewqwer]

@kenryder I had a similar problem with the 85, and the selector switch with age had enough dirt that it didn't turn off completely. Like the video, check for leakage current with your DMM off and on, and compare results with the video.

[flukemeterguy]

Are you still having a problem with your meter going through batteries? If so, please drop me a note. I'd like to see if I can help you.

Kind Regards,

Perry

[kenryder]

@flukemeterguy

Thanks for the offer Perry, but I no longer work for the company that owns the 87-III.

[RedRobster]

Thank you!

[dial2fast]

Good review, I still have my 87 from 13 years ago. Still going strong.

[baddspella]

"ruggard as"