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Fluke fundamentals

Stay relevant in your industry by keeping up with best practices, practical how-to articles and videos, Fluke tool basics, and some of the most common industry terms. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this information will keep you sharp and ready for what the day has in store for you.

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Fundamentals

Fundamental videos

Fundamental on-demand webinars

Test tools basics

  • Watch now
    Understanding the basics of digital multimeter calibration
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    Tips and tricks for using your Fluke tools in solar energy
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    Indoor air quality basics
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    Introduction to thermography webinar

Glossary articles

Article

What is true-RMS?

The need for true-RMS meters has grown as the possibility of non-sinusoidal waves in circuits has greatly increased in recent years. Some examples include variable speed motor drives, electronic ballasts, computers, HVAC, and solid-state environments.

Article

What is a diode?

A diode is a semiconductor device that essentially acts as a one-way switch for current.

Article

What is Ohm’s Law?

Ohm’s Law is a formula used to calculate the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in an electrical circuit.

Article

What is duty cycle?

Duty cycle is the ratio of time a load or circuit is ON compared to the time the load or circuit is OFF.

How-to articles

Clamps

Article

Inside current transformer (ac) clamp meters

An interior view of a Fluke 325 clamp meter

Article

What is a clamp meter?

Clamps measure current. Probes measure voltage. Having a hinged jaw integrated into an electrical meter allows technicians to clamp the jaws around a wire, cable and other conductor at any point in an electrical system, then measure current in that circuit without disconnecting/deenergizing it.

Article

How to choose the right clamp meter for your job

Fluke’s assortment of clamp meters has been engineered to address a wide variety of needs, from routine tasks to specialty projects.

Article

What are Hall Effect (ac, dc) clamp meters?

Hall Effect clamp meters can measure both ac and dc current up to the kilohertz (1000 Hz) range

Digital multimeters

Article

Clamp Meters vs Multimeters

A digital multimeter is essentially a voltage-measuring tool with some current abilities. A clamp meter is basically a current-measuring tool with some voltage abilities. They are distinctly different instruments, each with its own advantages.

Article

Fluke 87V Digital Multimeter vs Fluke 87V MAX Multimeter

Compare IP rating, battery life and other features. What is the difference between the Fluke 87V MAX and the 87V digital multimeter?

Article

Why digital multimeter accuracy and precision matter

Insulation testers

Article

What is an insulation multimeter?

The Fluke 15x7 Series Insulation Multimeter is a new category of test tool that combines a full featured True RMS DMM and a megohmmeter. It's an integrated tool for maintaining and troubleshooting motor systems, electrical distribution, and production equipment.

Article

Why controlling leakage current is important

Article

Insulation resistance testing capacitors and high-voltage components

Using a megger for insulation resistance testing capacitors and high voltage components.

Article

Insulation tester vs megohmmeter

What is the difference between an insulation tester and a megohmmeter? Compare insulation meters, testers, megohmmeters, and meggers to learn about what's best for your needs.

Oscilloscopes

Article

How to read a waveform on an oscilloscope

Oscilloscopes sample signals as they change over time and then plot those signals on a display. The amplitude of the signal is plotted on the vertical axis and time is displayed on the horizontal.

Article

Capturing the elusive waveform anomalies with the ScopeMeter® 190C Series

Find out how the pass/fail testing function captures random glitches.

Article

Oscilloscope vs multimeter: choosing the right tool for testing and troubleshooting

The difference between an oscilloscope and a digital multimeter (DMM) is simply stated as pictures vs. numbers. Learn more, including when to use each.

Article

Basic oscilloscope functions

Power quality

Article

Detecting power quality issues

The electrical power issues that most frequently affect industrial plants include voltage sags and swells, harmonics, transients, and voltage and current unbalance. The proper tools to correct these issues include knowledge and electrical test instruments ideally suited for each task.

Article

Common Power Quality Factors Affecting Transformers

Transformers supplying nonlinear loads should be checked periodically to verify operation within acceptable limits. Transformers are also critical to the integrity of the grounding system.

Article

What is power factor and why is it important?

What is power factor and why is it important? Learn how to calculate the power factor formula, each component of the equation, and why it matters.

Article

Why peak demand management matters

Temperature

Article

How to get great results with an infrared thermometer

Infrared (IR) thermometers enable you to measure temperature quickly, at a distance, and without touching the object you're measuring. They are so useful, easy, and even fun to use that they have become as common in kitchens as they have on factory floors. Infrared thermometers are often used to find overheated equipment and electrical circuits, but they have hundreds of other uses.

Article

How to select a temperature range on a Fluke thermal imager

Thermal imaging

Article

Why use a thermal imager?

Article

Three ways to conduct thermal inspections

Thermal cameras provide a return on investment

Article

What is Thermal Imaging? How a Thermal Image is Captured

Learn how infrared cameras measure heat signatures and use color palettes, spatial resolution, and proper focus to create a thermal image.

Vibration

Article

Most common causes of machine vibration

Vibration can result from a number of conditions, acting alone or in combination. Keep in mind that vibration problems might be caused by auxiliary equipment, not just the primary equipment.

Article

3 ways to improve motor health with vibration testing

One would be hard-pressed to find a facility manager who doesn’t want maintenance operations to run as smoothly as possible. Detecting signs of motor components failure becomes easier when combined with a preventive vibration program.

Article

Vibration and the Fluke 810

Sometimes vibration in industrial equipment is a symptom or even a cause of trouble; other times, it is part of normal machine operation.

Article

Understanding Vibration Monitoring and Analysis

Vibration testing for condition-based maintenance, to reduce costs and production losses. Mechanics of testing, analyzing roller bearing faults.