This article will provide a detailed comparison between two popular Multimeters:
The Fluke 115, a versatile and user-friendly tool designed for general electrical and electronic testing, and the Fluke 87V, a superior model tailored for more complex industrial environments.
Fluke 115 serves excellently as a versatile, everyday tool for a wide range of standard electrical tasks.
Fluke 87V steps up as a more robust instrument, offering precision and features necessary for higher-stakes industrial environments and specialized applications.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Detailed Comparison
💳 Price
Basic features
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Auto / manual ranging | Yes | Yes |
| Basic DC accuracy | 0.50 % | 0.05 % ✅ |
| Counts | 6000 | 20000 ✅ |
| Digits | 3.5 | 4.5 ✅ |
| True RMS readings | AC | AC |
| Wide bandwidth | 1 kHz | 20 kHz ✅ |
Diagnostics and data
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Display hold | Yes | Yes |
| Min-max recording | Yes | Yes |
| Auto (touch) hold | No | Yes ✅ |
| Fast Min-Max | No | 250 µs ✅ |
| Relative reference | No | Yes ✅ |
Other features
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating temperature range | -10 °C to +50 °C | -40 °C to +55 °C ✅ |
| Completely sealed / watertight | No | Yes ✅ |
| Smoothing | No | Yes ✅ |
| Trigger in / out | No | Yes ✅ |
Warranty and safety
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous voltage indication | Yes | Yes |
| EN61010-1 CAT III | 600 V | 1000 V ✅ |
| Input alert | Yes | Yes |
| IP rating | IP 42 | IP 67 ✅ |
| Warranty | 3 years | Lifetime ✅ |
| EN61010-1 CAT IV | N/A | 600 V ✅ |
Measurements
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitance | 9,999 µF | 9,999 µF |
| Continuity with beeper | Yes | Yes |
| Current AC/DC | 10.0 A | 10.0 A |
| Diode test | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency | 99.99 kHz | 200 kHz ✅ |
| Resistance | 40 MΩ | 50 MΩ ✅ |
| Voltage AC/DC | 600 V | 1000 V ✅ |
| Conductance | N/A | 60 nS ✅ |
| Duty cycle | No | Yes ✅ |
| Microamps | No | Yes ✅ |
| Motor drive measurement | No | Yes ✅ |
| Pulse width | No | Yes ✅ |
| Temperature | No | Yes +1090 °C ✅ |
Display
| Fluke 115 | Fluke 87V | |
|---|---|---|
| Backlight | Yes ✅ | No |
| Two-level backlight | No | Yes ✅ |
Use Cases
The two multimeters are designed for slightly different use cases. Here’s an overview of the typical applications for each:
Fluke 115
- General Purpose Use: The Fluke 115 is ideal for basic electrical and electronic testing, making it a popular choice among field service technicians, general electricians, and hobbyists.
- Field Service Testing: This model is equipped for a variety of common field measurements including voltage, current, continuity, frequency, and capacitance. It is well-suited for quick verification tasks and repair jobs on the go.
- Home and Commercial Electrical Troubleshooting: With its compact design and ease of use, the Fluke 115 is adept at dealing with residential and commercial electrical issues, including appliance checks, outlet tests, and lighting systems.
- HVAC Systems: It includes capabilities useful for HVAC technicians, such as testing motor start and run capacitors, along with other HVAC components.
Fluke 87V
- Industrial and Advanced Electrical Testing: The Fluke 87V is designed for complex industrial environments. It features advanced troubleshooting capabilities, including true RMS accuracy, making it suitable for systems like motor drives, plant automation, power distribution, and electromechanical equipment.
- Frequency Measurement: The 87V excels in measuring frequency to a fine resolution, which is crucial for managing and troubleshooting adjustable speed drives and other applications involving detailed electronic signals.
- Temperature Measurements: With a built-in temperature measurement feature, it can handle tasks requiring monitoring of operational temperatures in industrial processes.
- Specialized Industrial Applications: The 87V includes features like a low-pass filter to accurately measure voltage and frequency on motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment.