Fluke 115C, 117C - True-rms Multimeter Manual

Safety Information

A "" statement identifies hazardous conditions and actions that could cause bodily harm or death.

A "" statement identifies conditions and actions that could damage the Meter or the equipment under test.

To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, follow these guidelines:

• 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.
• Always use proper terminals, switch position, and range for measurements.
• Verify the Meter's operation by measuring a known voltage. If in doubt, have the Meter serviced.
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on Meter, between 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.
• 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 test leads or probes, keep your fingers behind the finger guards.
• Only use test leads that have the same voltage, category, and amperage ratings as the meter and that have been approved by a safety agency.
• Remove test leads from Meter before opening the battery door or Meter case.
• Comply with local and national safety requirements when working in hazardous locations.
• Use proper protective equipment, as required by local or national authorities when working in hazardous areas.
• Avoid working alone.
• Use only the replacement fuse specified or the protection may be impaired.
• Check the test leads for continuity before use. Do not use if the readings are high or noisy.
• Do not use the Auto Volts function to measure voltages in circuits that could be damaged by this function's low input impedance (≈3 kΩ)(117 only).

Symbols

	AC (Alternating Current)
	DC (Direct Current)
	Hazardous voltage
	Battery (Low battery when shown on the display.)
	Do not dispose of this product as unsorted municipal waste. Contact Fluke or a qualified recycler for disposal.
	Fuse
	Double Insulated
	Important Information; Refer to manual
	Earth ground
	AC and DC

Display

No.	Symbol	Meaning	Model
		The Meter is in the VoltAlert™ non-contact voltage detect mode.	117C
		The Meter function is set to Continuity.	115C & 117C
		The Meter function is set to Diode Test	115C & 117C
		Input is a negative value.	115C & 117C
		Unsafe voltage. Measured input voltage ≥30 V, or voltage overload condition (OL).	115C & 117C
		Display hold enabled. Display freezes present reading.	115C & 117C
	MAX MIN AVG	MIN MAX AVG mode enabled. Maximum, minimum, average or present reading displayed	115C & 117C
	(Red LED)	Voltage presence through the non-contact VoltAlert sensor	117C
	LoZ	The Meter is measuring voltage or capacitiance with a low input impedance.	115C & 117C
	nµF mVµA MkΩ kHz	Measurement units.	115C & 117C
	DC AC	Direct current or alternating current	115C & 117C
		Battery low warning.	115C & 117C
	610000 mV	Indicates the Meter's range selection.	115C & 117C
	(Bar graph)	Analog display.	115C & 117C
	Auto Volts	The Meter is in the Auto Volts function.	117C
	Auto	Auto ranging. The Meter selects the range for best resolution.	115C & 117C
	Manual	Manual ranging. User sets the Meter's range.	115C & 117C
		Bar graph polarity	115C & 117C
		The input is too large for the selected range.	115C & 117C
		Test lead alert. Briefly displayed whenever the Meter's function switch is rotated to or from any A position.	115C & 117C

Terminals

No.	Description	Model
	Input terminal for measuring ac and dc current to 10 A.	115C & 117C
	Common (return) terminal for all measurements.	115C & 117C
	Input terminal for measuring voltage, continuity, resistance, capacitance, frequency and testing diodes.	115C & 117C

Error Messages
	Battery must be replaced before the Meter will operate.
	Calibration required. Meter calibration is required before the Meter will operate.
	Internal error. The Meter must be repaired before it will operate.
	Internal error. The Meter must be repaired before it will operate.

Rotary Switch Positions

Switch Position	Measurement Function	Model
	Automatically selects ac or dc volts based on the sensed input with a low impedance input.	117C
Hz (button)	AC voltage from 0.06 mV to 600 V. Frequency from 5 Hz to 50 kHz.	115C & 117C 115C & 117C
	DC voltage from.001 V to 600 V.	115C & 117C
	AC voltage from 6.0 to 600 mV, dc-coupled. DC voltage from 0.1 to 600 mV.	115C & 117C
	Ohms from 0.1 Ω to 40 MΩ.	115C & 117C
	Continuity beeper turns on at <20 Ω and turns off at >250 Ω.	115C & 117C
	Diode Test. Displays OL above 2.0 V.	115C & 117C
	Farads from 1 nF to 9999 μF.	115C & 117C
Hz (button)	AC current from 0.1 to 10 A (>10 to 20 A, 30 seconds on, 10 minutes off). >10.00 A display flashes. >20 A, OL is displayed. DC-coupled. Frequency from 45 Hz to 5 kHz.	115C & 117C
	DC current from 0.001 A to 10 A (>10 to 20 A, 30 seconds on, 10 minutes off). >10.00 A display flashes. >20 A, OL is displayed.	115C & 117C
	Non-contact sensing of ac voltage.	117C
Note: All ac functions and Auto-V LoZ are true-rms. AC voltage is ac-coupled. Auto-V LoZ, AC mV and AC amps are dc coupled.

Battery Saver ("Sleep Mode")

The Meter automatically enters "Sleep mode" and blanks the display if there is no function change, range change, or button press for 20 minutes. Pressing any button or turning the rotary switch awakens the Meter. To disable the Sleep mode, hold down the button while turning the Meter on. The Sleep mode is always disabled in the MIN MAX AVG mode.

MIN MAX AVG Recording Mode

The MIN MAX AVG recording mode captures the minimum and maximum input values (ignoring overloads), and calculates a running average of all readings. When a new high or low is detected, the Meter beeps.

• Put the Meter in the desired measurement function and range.
• Press to enter MIN MAX AVG mode.
• and MAX are displayed and the highest reading detected since entering MIN MAX AVG is displayed.
• Press to step through the low (MIN), average (AVG), and present readings.
• To pause MIN MAX AVG recording without erasing stored values, press . is displayed.
• To resume MIN MAX AVG recording, press again.
• To exit and erase stored readings, press for at least one second or turn the rotary switch.

Display HOLD

To avoid electric shock, when Display HOLD is activated, be aware that the display will not change when you apply a different voltage.

In the Display HOLD mode, the Meter freezes the display.

1. Press to activate Display HOLD. ( is displayed.)
2. To exit and return to normal operation, press or turn the rotary switch.

Backlight

Press to toggle the backlight on and off. The backlight automatically turns off after 40 seconds. To disable backlight auto-off, hold down while turning the Meter on.

Manual and Autoranging

The Meter has both Manual 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 is displayed.

1. To enter the Manual Range mode, press . Manual is displayed.
2. In the Manual Range mode, press 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 or Display HOLD modes.
   If you press while in MIN MAX AVG or Display Hold, the Meter beeps twice, indicating an invalid operation, and the range does not change.
3. To exit Manual Range, press for at least 1 second or turn the rotary switch. The Meter returns to Autorange and Auto is displayed.

Power-Up Options

To select a Power-Up Option, hold down the button indicated in the following table while turning the Meter on. Power-Up Options are canceled when you turn the Meter off and when sleep mode is activated.

Button	Power-Up Options
	Turns on all display segments.
	Disables beeper. is displayed when enabled.
	Enables low impedance capacitance measurements. is displayed when enabled.
	Disables automatic power-down ("Sleep mode"). is displayed when enabled.
	Disables auto backlight off. is displayed when enabled.

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.

Measuring Resistance

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.

Testing for Continuity

Note
The continuity function works best as a fast, convenient method to check for opens and shorts. For maximum accuracy in making resistance measurements, use the Meter's resistance (Ω) function.

Measuring AC and DC Voltage

Using Auto Volts Selection (117C only)

With the function switch in the position, the Meter automatically selects a dc or ac voltage measurement based on the input applied between the V and COM jacks.

This function also sets the Meter's input impedance to approximately 3 kΩ to reduce the possibility of false readings due to ghost voltages.

Measuring AC and DC Millivots

With the function switch in the position, the Meter measures ac plus dc millivolts. Press to switch the Meter to dc millivolts.

Measuring AC or DC Current

To avoid personal injury or damage to the Meter:

• Never attempt to make an in-circuit current measurement when the open-circuit potential to earth is > 600 V.
• Check the Meter's fuse before testing. (See "Testing the Fuse")
• Use the proper terminals, switch position, and range for your measurement.
• Never place the probes in parallel with a circuit or component when the leads are plugged into the A (Amps) terminals.

Turn circuit power off, break the circuit, insert the Meter in series with the circuit and then turn circuit power on.

Measuring Current above 10 Amps

The millivolt and voltage function of the Meter can be used with an optional mV/A output Current Probe to measure currents that exceed the rating of the Meter. Make sure the Meter has the correct function selected, AC or DC, for your current probe. Refer to a Fluke catalog or contact your local Fluke representative for compatible current clamps.

Measuring Capacitance

Measuring Frequency

To avoid electrical shock, disregard the bar graph for frequencies >1 kHz. If the frequency of the measured signal is >1 kHz, the bar graph and are unspecified.

The Meter measures the frequency of a signal by counting the number of times the signal crosses a trigger level each second. The trigger level is 0 V, 0 A for all ranges.

Press to turn the frequency measurement function on and off. Frequency works with ac functions only.

In frequency, the bar graph and range annunciator indicate the ac voltage or current present.

Select progressively lower ranges using manual ranging for a stable reading.

Detecting AC Voltage Presence (117C only)

To detect the presence of ac voltage, place the top of the Meter close to a conductor. The Meter gives an audible as well as visual indication when voltage is detected. There are two sensitivity settings. The "" setting can be used on flush mounted wall sockets, power strips, flush mounted industrial outlets and various power cords. The "" setting allows for ac voltage detection on other styles of recessed power connectors or sockets where the actual ac voltage is recessed within the connector itself. The VoltAlert detector works in bare wire applications with voltages as low as 24 V in the "" setting.

If there is no indication, voltage could still be present. Do not rely on the VoltAlert detector with shielded wire. Operation may be effected by differences in socket design, insulation thickness and type.

Making Low Impedance Capacitance Measurements

For making capacitance measurements on cables with ghost voltage, hold while turning on the Meter to switch the Meter into LoZ, (low input impedance) Capacitance mode. In this mode, capacitance measurements will have a lower accuracy and lower dynamic range. This setting is not saved when the Meter is turned off or goes into sleep mode.

Testing Diodes

Using the Bargraph

The bar graph is like the needle on an analog meter. It has an overload indicator () to the right and a polarity indicator () to the left.

Because the bar graph is much faster than the digital display, the bar graph is useful for making peak and null adjustments.

The bar graph is disabled when measuring capacitance. In frequency, the bar graph and range annunciator indicates the underlying voltage or current up to 1 kHz.

The number of segments indicates the measured value and is relative to the full-scale value of the selected range.

In the 60 V range, for example (see below), the major divisions on the scale represent 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 V. An input of −30 V turns on the negative sign and the segments up to the middle of the scale.

Testing the Fuse

Test fuse as shown below.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the Meter consists of battery and fuse replacement, as well as case cleaning.

Replacing the Battery and Fuse

To avoid shock, injury, or damage to the Meter:

• Remove test leads from the Meter before opening the case or battery door.
• Use ONLY a fuse with the amperage, interrupt voltage, and speed ratings specified.

To remove the battery door for battery replacement:

1. Remove the test leads from the Meter.
2. Remove the battery door screw.
3. Use the finger recess to lift the door slightly.
4. Lift the door straight up to separate it from the case.
   The battery fits inside the battery door, which is then inserted into the case, bottom edge first, until it is fully seated. Do not attempt to install the battery directly into the case.
5. Install and tighten battery door screw.

To open the case for fuse replacement:

1. Remove the test leads from the Meter
2. Remove the Meter from its holster.
3. Remove two screws from the case bottom.
4. Separate the case bottom from the case top.
5. Remove the fuse from its holder and replace it with an 11 A, 1000 V, FAST fuse having a minimum interrupt rating of 17,000 A. Use only Fluke PN 803293.
6. To re-assemble the Meter, first attach the case bottom to the case top, then install the two screws. Finally, insert the Meter into its holster.

Cleaning

Wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives, isopropyl alcohol, or solvents to clean the case or lens/window. Dirt or moisture in the terminals can affect readings.

General Specifications

Accuracy is specified for 1 year after calibration, at operating temperatures of 18°C to 28°C, with relative humidity at 0% to 90%.

Extended specifications are available at www.Fluke.com.

Maximum voltage between any terminal and earth ground: 600 V

Surge Protection: 6 kV peak per IEC 61010-1 600V CAT III, Pollution Degree 2

Fuse for A input: 11 A, 1000 V 17 kA FAST Fuse (Fluke PN 803293)

Display: Digital: 6,000 counts, updates 4/sec
Bar Graph: 33 segments, updates 32/sec

Temperature: Operating: -10°C to + 50°C
Storage: -40°C to + 60°C

Temperature Coefficient: 0.1 x (specified accuracy)/°C (<18°C or >28°C)

Operating Altitude: 2,000 meters

Battery: 9 Volt Alkaline, NEDA 1604A / IEC 6LR61

Battery Life: Alkaline: 400 hours typical, without backlight

Safety Compliances: Complies with ANSI/ISA 82.02.01 (61010-1) 2004, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No 61010-1-04, UL 6101B (2003) and IEC/EN 61010-1 2^nd Edition for measurement Category III, 600 V, Pollution Degree 2, EMC EN61326-1

Certifications: UL, P, CSA, TÜV, (N10140), VDE

IP Rating (dust and water protection): IP42

Table 1. Accuracy Specifications

Notes:

[1] All ac ranges except Auto-V LoZ are specified from 1% to 100% of range. Auto-V LoZ is specified from 0.0 V.
Because inputs below 1% of range are not specified, it is normal for this and other true-rms meters to display nonzero readings when the test leads are disconnected from a circuit or are shorted together. For volts, crest factor of ≤3 at 4000 counts, decreasing linearly to 1.5 at full scale. For amps, crest factor of ≤3. AC volts is ac-coupled. AutoV LoZ, AC mV, and AC amps are dc-coupled.

[2] AC Volts Hz is ac-coupled and specified from 5 Hz to 50 kHz. AC Amps Hz is dc-coupled and specified from 45 Hz to 5 kHz.

[3] >10 A unspecified.

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