As electricians or industrial technicians whether in automation, electronic trades, or any other field our decisions are based on results we get through tests by multimeters. These results on the meter screen should be highly reliable and accurate for wellbeing of both machinery and production.
In this post, we’ll not only teach you how to calibrate a fluke multimeter but also elaborate the purpose behind it and why calibration is an important factor for the precision and accuracy of multimeters.
How to calibrate a digital Fluke meter
For calibration of a fluke multimeter like fluke 87 or other you’ll need a calibrator e.g fluke 5080A multi product calibrator and user guide or manual of multi meter. If you don’t have resources you may do it at some reliable electronics lab.
First of all press min/max button gently and while holding it switch the meter’s dial to AC voltage position. A “CAL” symbol will appear on screen that means multimeter is now ready for caibration, release min/max button now.
Press hold button of your device until an interrogation point (?) comes on screen that will allow you to enter pasword for authorization to modify calibration.
After entering pasword press hold button again.
Wait for auto calibration process, once a C 01 sign appear on your fluke multimeter display insert outputs of meter to fluke calibrator.
Now follow user guide/manual to switch dial positions of multimeter according to calibrator procedure.
Once a setting is calibrated through calibrator correctly push auto/hold button again and wait for C 02 sign on meter screen.
Follow this process continuosly according to fluke user guide for each setting upto step C 31.
After that display will show “END” sign that means calibration process has been ended.
Press hold button last time to finally end the process.
Fluke 5080A calibrator demo video.
Why do Multimeters need calibration
It’s compulsory for perfect operation and accurate readings of meter. Sometimes dmm’s deviate a bit from their calibrated settings by frequent use for a long period like a year or more. For this, you may conduct a simple test to check if your multimeter needs to be calibrated or not.
Usually, fluke multimeters don’t need calibration for years but with the passage of time, they should be checked regularly to ensure the best results. As electric circuits may face an effect of environment, humidity, temperature, and time. It’s so as it is in the case of using fluke multimeters that they can also be affected with time and environment.
How to check if a digital multimeter needs calibration
For this, you may perform a simple self test to check your fluke multimeter. For this insert black or ground probe in comm slot and red probe into volt-ohm jack. Now turn on the multimeter and switch dial to ohms setting. Set it to the lowest range of resistance, commonly 100 ohms.
Now attach both test lead metallic pins to one another. A finely calibrated multimeter will give zero ohm readings, a small variation is accepted that’s maybe 0.05 or 0.04. But if you’re getting a significantly changed value then your fluke multimeter might need urgent calibration.
Leo Maxwell is basically an Electrical engineer and hobby tech writer, having 13 years of experience in the electronics and instrumentation industry. He has hands on experience working in various fields like Powerhouses, solar, automotive, and FMCG.
During his career, he has used many power tools and meters in electrical projects. Now his aim is to explain tools and troubleshooting in easy guides to help people. Other then it, leo loves traveling, reading books and DIY tasks.
