Fluke 393 FC - FAIL!!!…

[@TheDigitaldoug]

I agree that Fluke's marketing and sales literature are not 100% accurate. I have the 376FC and it was marketed as doing instantaneous DC current via the clamp, so I hooked it up the the negative battery cable on the car--and nothing when I start the car. When I called them and explained what I was doing they were curt and explained that the instantaneous DC current was for industrial apps. Now I am no rocket scientist but I do hold an EE degree and their answer holds no water. I have noticed in recent years a marked increase in marketing types at Fluke who couldn't find their rear with a map and a magnifying glass. I know that us engineering types aren't cheap but neither are Fluke's panoply of test equipment. We deserve an accurate representation of the equipment they sell us.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Kick ass

[@TorchHacker]

The first page of Fluke's data sheet for the 393 FC gives the impression that you could measure DC voltage and current with the jaws. The first image shows the clamp meter measuring 1500 DC V and 29.3 A with the jaws around a cable and without any probes attached. The second image shows a technician doing the same type of measurement on a solar array without any probes attached.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Cool

[@thebigd6249]

I agree, but I’ll also disagree. I’ll start by asking, when have you ever known or seen a meter that reads volts via a clamp? The clamp, as you know, or should know, reads through sensors that pick up the magnetic field generated by a live circuit under load. Voltage by itself will not read in this way as voltage absent of resistance does not produce a magnetic field which is why we have to use probes to get accurate measurements of volts. The probes measure the difference between two points of potential. In the case of this meter and others like it, it uses a common probe connected to earth or ground wire. Would even work with a neutral. This probe gives the meters circuitry a reference point to find volts while reading the amps. An alligator clip which would eliminate the need for four hands is conveniently included with the meter. So at this point I disagree with you as you’re making it seem harder than it actually is and as an electrician, even as an apprentice, you should know, or at least should have known these basics. Now where I agree with you, even when the meter is connected properly with the common probe, the field sensor is not going to give accurate results for voltage as the voltage readings are going to hop around a lot. For this reason I find this feature to be kind of gimmicky. Especially while troubleshooting. No one will be able to use the sensory voltage readings as being accurate enough to make a decision during any kind of troubleshooting. So out comes the DMM to figure it out. Save your money, use a clamp meter that can read DC amps since you’re in the solar business and then use your old faithful DMM to get your accurate voltage readings.

[@MrTooTechnical]

The 378fc does ac volts and amps at the same time. I would think fluke could do the same on the 393 fc. Oh well. It went back.

[@koenvandersanden908]

​@@MrTooTechnical The 378 FC only works that way with AC, not DC. Fluke field sense only works for AC, and even then its picky and does not work for IT grids as it needs a reference to ground. Love the 393 FC, great 1500VDC meters for quick 1500VDC solar troubleshooting.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Nice

[@MrTooTechnical]

The 378 fc does dc amps and dc volts.

[@RyanJardina]

@@MrTooTechnical it does NOT do DC volts from the clamp.

[@jeng1476]

Actually that one wirelessly transmit to your phone through the fluke app. The clamp only measures current and the leads measure voltage.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Nice

[@faffybubs9099]

For a k does it cook your breakfast

[@MrTooTechnical]

Cost is cost.

[@danstark462]

Way to expensive.

[@MrTooTechnical]

Indeed