Fluke | 177 True-RMS Digital Multimeter 1000V 10A | CAT IV 600V and CAT III 1000V
The Fluke 177 is a hand held True-RMS digital multimeter rated to 1000V ac and dc and 10A ac and dc, with a 6000-count display and analog bar graph. The 177 measures voltage, current, resistance, continuity, capacitance, frequency and diode drop, at 0.09 % basic dc accuracy. It is certified to EN 61010-1 for CAT IV 600V and CAT III 1000V environments and carries a limited lifetime warranty from Fluke.
Site power is full of harmonics, variable speed drives and switch-mode supplies, and an averaging meter reads those distorted waveforms low. That error sends a sparky chasing a fault that is not there. It can also hide a circuit drawing more than the reading suggests. True-RMS measurement reads the actual ac value on non-sinusoidal signals, and 0.09 % basic dc accuracy resolves the small differences that matter on control and signal wiring. The 6000-count display with analog bar graph shows a drifting or unstable reading as movement, which numbers alone hide.
Sparkies buy the 177 because one meter covers the day: switchboard fault finding, motor circuits, appliance elements and control panels all sit inside its measurement range. The CAT IV 600V rating means it stays in hand at the point of supply, not just downstream of the main switch. Closed-case calibration through the front panel keeps it in service without a strip-down. The limited lifetime warranty takes the meter out of the annual replacement budget. It arrives in original packaging, ready to work.
Features
- True-RMS ac measurement — reads accurate ac voltage and current on the distorted, non-sinusoidal signals produced by drives and switch-mode loads.
- 0.09 % basic dc accuracy — the Fluke 177 resolves small dc voltage differences across control, signal and battery circuits.
- 6000-count display — three and a half digits with 0.1 mV resolution on the 600.0 mV range and 0.01 mA on the 60.00 mA range.
- Analog bar graph — tracks fluctuating and drifting signals as visible movement, which is faster to read than changing digits.
- CAT IV 600V and CAT III 1000V — independently listed to EN 61010-1 by UL, CSA and TUV for supply-side and distribution work.
- 10A ac and dc current — the 177 measures current to 10A through a fused input, with a separate 400 mA range for low-current circuits.
- Capacitance to 10,000 uF — checks motor run capacitors and power factor correction capacitors without carrying a second instrument.
- Resistance to 50 Mohm — covers earth continuity checks through to high-value resistances on control and electronic circuits.
- Continuity beeper — sounds below 25 ohm and detects opens or shorts lasting 250 microseconds or longer.
- Backlit display — makes the Fluke 177 readable in ceiling spaces, plant rooms and switchboard cupboards with no fixed lighting.
- Min, Max and Average recording — captures the range a circuit moved through, with Display Hold and AutoHOLD for hands-clear readings.
- No temperature function — the 177 has no built-in thermometer, so temperature readings need a separate instrument.
Where to use
- Switchboard fault finding — the CAT IV 600V rating on the Fluke 177 covers testing at the point of supply and through distribution boards.
- Motor and drive circuits — True-RMS readings hold up on variable speed drive outputs where an averaging meter reads low.
- Appliance and element testing — resistance and continuity ranges check oven elements, hot water elements and heating circuits.
- Air conditioning service work — capacitance measurement to 10,000 uF checks run capacitors on condensing units and fan motors.
- Control and instrumentation panels — 0.09 % dc accuracy and the 600.0 mV range suit low-level signal and sensor checks.
- Solar and battery dc systems — the 177 reads dc voltage to 1000V for string and battery bank checks within its CAT III rating.
- Commercial maintenance rounds — Min, Max and Average recording logs the swing on a circuit across a service visit.
- Service vehicles and tool kits — the overmoulded case and integrated holster suit a meter that lives in a van.
The Fluke 177 is not an insulation resistance tester or an earth loop impedance tester, so it does not replace the instruments required for verification testing under AS/NZS 3017. It is not rated for CAT IV 1000V installations, and it has no temperature measurement function. Operating range is -10 degrees C to +50 degrees C, and the meter is not weatherproof or rated for condensing humidity.
Verified Sparky Direct customer reviews: Fluke 177 Hand held Digital Multimeter, 10A ac 1000V ac 10A dc 1000V dc (177)
"product delivered quickly and in original packaging all at a great price" — Spok