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Fluke 17B+ thorough review

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Jiri Bekr:
Hello guys.

I wanted to try out a Fluke multimeter, and found this 15/17/18 B+ series to have all the features one would expect from everyday DMM, while being priced more to the common sense side, than to the overpriced side.

However, most reviews on this one that I have seen were empty, or focused on just the brand, not the instrument itself. Thinking this is the sweet spot in market, I bought the 17B+. And when it arrived, problems began appearing. Useless probes, no TrueRMS, silent buzzer, slow speed, faulty HV indication, dim backlight, there is more.

The review also covers my experience with Fluke EU service and their dangerous Fluke T110 / T150 VDE testers, that got me electrocuted twice. They may have been recalled, but the problem just continues to appear even in new models.

https://youtu.be/hCIY1f9c9Vo

 So, if interested, feel free to watch the review.

Video thumbnail, and tables are attached. I apologize for not translating the tables to english, I will do it fully when Hioki DT4282 review comes out. Hopefully, this year.

Fungus:

--- Quote from: Jiri Bekr on November 13, 2022, 01:49:32 pm ---However, most reviews on this one that I have seen were empty, or focused on just the brand, not the instrument itself. Thinking this is the sweet spot in market, I bought the 17B+. And when it arrived, problems began appearing. Useless probes, no TrueRMS, silent buzzer, slow speed, faulty HV indication, dim backlight, there is more.

--- End quote ---

Don't forget the low accuracy (0.5% IIRC)  :)

The 17B+ is much more expensive than the 15B+, if you really want a "Very Basic Fluke" the 15B+ might be the one to go for, or maybe the lesser-known 12E.

Brymen makes a better meter at both 15B and 17B price points though. You'd really have to want a yellow meter for any of those Flukes to make sense.

(eg. Brymen 805/806/807 range, starting at 58 Euros...)

Jiri Bekr:

--- Quote from: Fungus on November 13, 2022, 02:18:23 pm ---Don't forget the low accuracy (0.5% IIRC)  :)
The 17B+ is much more expensive than the 15B+, if you really want a "Very Basic Fluke" the 15B+ might be the one to go for, or maybe the lesser-known 12E.
Brymen makes a better meter at both price points, though. You'd have to really want a yellow meter for any of those Flukes to make sense.
(see Brymen 805/806/807 range, starting at 58 Euros...)

--- End quote ---

Defintely agree, the 0,5% basic accuracy is just not enough at this price point. For this DMM, I could have two and half HoldPeaks HP770D or Owons B35T+ with 0,05% basic accuracy for DCV. But these are nowhere near as sturdy to be honest. So UT161E would be Fluke Killer (basically same as UT61E+, but with better fuses).

My desk (see the attachment) could definitely use some more of the red color, maybe BM785 or 789? Mid-end, 0,03% BA, and powered by AAA. These look attractive and resourceful for sure. Right now I must get Hioki DT4282 and CM4141-50 reviews done, then in december, I will be meeting with Fluke distributor, and god knows what will we agree on. So, Brymen may be joining my army in second quarter of 2023, or later. I originally planned on buying UT171B/C or UT181A to replace my UNI-T UT61E+ and Hioki DT4261, but the charging through main sockets? No, thanks. Brymen will be then most probably my next choice.

PushUp:
These Fluke DMMs 15, 17, 18 (also 101, 106, 107) are not able to measure true-RMS! Considering the price, they are not worth to buy!

Even Fluke says on their HP:

"Yet a true-RMS meter is widely preferred because it is the only one that can accurately measure both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal ac waveforms."

https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/blog/electrical/what-is-true-rms


Cheers!  ;)

mqsaharan:
I have been just watching your review and stumbled upon your post.
You seem to be getting a few things wrong there regarding the hardware. The fuse ratings are written on them. Just rotate and you'll find their interrupt rating for both AC and DC written on them.
The R20 is a 1k ohm (not 1M ohm) fuse-able resistor. If MOVs started to conduct this resistor will open like a fuse and stop the fault current. Its a safety feature that you'll not find in cheap meters including most Uni-Trend meters.
The C1 10nF 1000V capacitor is for AC coupling. And R1 1K resistor is to discharge it when you rotate the function switch to some other function.

I am surprised about your comment about Uni-Trend UT61E+ current measuring capability that it compensates for the shunts temperature. I couldn't find any mention of it from your or other people's reviews or in its manual. Would you please explain a bit more about it?
There is however a safety feature built-in that lights up a yellow LED, sounds the buzzer and shows "CUT" on display if the internal temperature rises to or above 75 degree C while measuring current as per the manual.

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