Distinctive earth ground testers that can perform all four types of earth ground measurement

The Fluke 1623 and 1625 are distinctive earth ground testers that can perform all four types of earth ground measurement. Specifically, the Fluke 1623 and 1625 testers are able to measure earth ground loop resistances using only clamps – called Stakeless testing, to make your earth ground loop resistance testing quicker and easier.. This method doesn’t require the use of earth ground stakes or the disconnection of ground rods. Gone are the days of spending time placing and connecting stakes for each earth ground rod on your system—a major time saver. You can also perform earth ground tests in places you’ve not considered before: inside buildings, power pylons, or anywhere you don’t have access to soil.

The Fluke 1623 and 1625 are distinctive earth ground testers that can perform all four types of earth ground measurement: 3- and 4-Pole Fall of Potential using stakes, 4-Pole Soil Resistivity testing using stakes, Selective testing using 1 clamp and stakes, and Stakeless testing using 2 clamps only.

In addition, the Fluke 1625 offers advanced features like Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) for identifying existing interference and choosing a measurement frequency to minimize its effect, providing more accurate earth ground value. The R* measurement calculates earth ground impedance at 55 Hz to more accurately reflect the earth ground resistance that a fault-to-earth ground would see. Adjustable limits for quicker Testing is also possible.

The testers are also easy to use. For each test, the testers inform you which stakes or clamps need to be connected and the large rotary switch can be used even with a gloved hand. The complete model kit comes with the 1623 or 1625 tester, test leads, 4 earth ground stakes, 3 cable reels with wire, 2 clamps, batteries, and manual—all inside a rugged Fluke carrying case.

Fluke Ti10 and Ti25 Thermal Imagers Win Plant Engineering 2008 Product of the Year Award

Readers of Plant Engineering, one of the top publications for professionals in the manufacturing plant design, operations and maintenance industry, have chosen the Fluke Ti25 and Fluke Ti10 Thermal Imagers as 2008 Products of the Year.

The only thermal imaging products to win an award, the Fluke Ti10 andTi25 received the Bronze Award in the Maintenance Tools and Equipment Category. The Product of the Year awards were presented Monday, March 30 as part of the 2009 Plant Engineering Manufacturing Summit in Charleston,SC.

Watch the short video at www.fluke.com/ti25wins

According to Plant Engineering editors, at a time when improving efficiency in manufacturing plants has never been more important, the products selected for Product of the Year voting, like the Fluke Ti10 and Ti25, represent the best new ideas to help manufacturers operate safer,smarter and faster. The magazine's panel of experts selected finalists in the contest. The magazine's readers with purchasing authority then voted for the product in each category that delivers the greatest value to manufacturing. The top products in each category received the Product of the Year trophy.

New Fluke Color ScopeMeter® Test Tool makes Fieldbus testing easy with Bus Health Test feature

Fluke Corporation introduces two new models to its range of Fluke Color ScopeMeter® Test Tools with automated test capability for Fieldbus, Profi Bus and other industrial communication protocols. The new models, the Fluke ScopeMeter 225C (200 MHz, 2.5 GS/s) and 215C (100 MHz, 1 GS/s), include all the features of the market-leading Fluke 199C and 196C Color ScopeMeters.

The Fluke 225C and 215C ScopeMeter Test Tools are designed for maintenance specialists who keep automation and process plant equipment operational. Today’s plants and industrial facilities are installing digital networking systems to improve efficiencies, gather management data and improve quality. These systems often operate in harsh environments requiring special techniques and tools for maintenance and troubleshooting, including verification of electrical signal quality on industrial buses such as Fieldbus Foundation, CAN-bus (or DeviceNet), Profi, RS-485, ModBus, ASI and more. The new instruments feature easy signal validation of all the critical signal parameters like amplitude and noise, and have floating and fully isolated inputs for true differential signal measurements on 2 wire differential bus systems. They allow users to verify the electrical integrity of bus and network, performing “physical layer tests” and getting answers quickly and easily.

According to Mr. Suneel Kapoor, National Manager-IG, Fluke Corporation (India), “Fluke 225C and 215C ScopeMeter Test Tools permit users to carry out basic electrical tests like copper resistance and isolation on an electrical system or a cable. They also have extensive network signal analysis capabilities. The isolated channel structure gives outstanding immunity to common mode noise and disturbances, and can measure common mode voltages separately. These are designed for maintenance specialists too who keep automation and process plant equipment operational."

Based on the 199C and 196C Color ScopeMeters, the 225C and 215C offer the full functionality of those instruments yet with the addition of powerful test capabilities for a wide variety of Industrial Bus systems. When in Bus health Test mode, these ScopeMeters automatically make an analysis of the electrical signals passing through the bus, and compare the parameters to standard values as described in the industry standards for that bus type. Alternatively, the user may select an ‘Eyepattern’ display to visually check the overall signal quality.

Parameters are automatically qualified as ‘good’, ‘weak’ or ‘bad’ based on a comparison to the appropriate industrial standards or to user set reference values. Each of the measured parameters is presented with momentary value and with statistical minimum and maximum values measured over time. The reference values used are also displayed, to give the user an easier grip on the systems behaviour. Tested parameters include signal amplitudes, bias voltage, rise- and fall-times, jitter, distortion and noise levels (in-band noise as well as out-of-band noise) depending on the requirements of the associated industry standard.

Buying tips for handheld T&M equipments

T&M Markets or in general Manufacturing as an activity for any product, has become an activity which can be done anywhere in the so called Global Village wherever the Manufacturer gets Best Quality, adhering to his laid down Standards with lowest Cost of Production.

This has brought down cost barriers between Imported or Indian Made Product Pricing, & that is why over the past years, we have seen most of the Instrumentation specific Manufacturing JVs getting closed in India & benefits linked to CKD Kits have been coming down too to making even rework Manufacturing no more lucrative and thus most of Indian Brands turning to Relabelling and Importing instead of Manufacturing.

In Instrumentation, we believe Users productivity depends on equipment which delivers Lab Accuracy in handheld package and gives him confidence of using same in difficult environments of Field with Safety Best in Class & Ruggedness to last him.

With this, the product which fits his application and enhances his efficiency by delivering repeatable results is the need and thus User being aware of the benefits chooses a Product. Benefit that user gets from usage of good handheld T&M Products outweighs many fold over cost savings by a Sub standard Product purchase.

Before deciding on a product :

• Study your Application carefully which is bringing up Measuring/Calibration need.
• Make a wish list of features/capabilities & Accuracies / Repeatability you aspire.
• Understand your long term and short term Goals for using these Instruments.
• Understand specifications claimed by manufacturers properly, compare on same level field and ask for supporting / confirmations wherever in doubt of a claim from the Manufacture or even from Third Party Certification Agencies.

Consolidate requirements to get Quantity benefit of pricing and negotiate Training as part of the package or pay extra to ensure the investment made in T&M Instrumentation pays for itself by maximising usage by User Group. Under newly created TTL Knowledge Centre, we provide relevant Technology Trainings using Internal or External Faculty from the Industry in India. With globalization and swift progress, it has become vital to keep pace with the changing scenario to cater the needs and requirements of the world. We at TTL Knowledge Centre (TKC) facilitate customers, employees, retailers and channel partners cope up with their greatest challenge of unswerving growth by assisting them in understanding the key performance indicators for capitalizing on revenues and making them acquainted with the products.

TTL Technologies has skilled & equipped Service Centres with added Calibration facilities with NABL Accreditation too to assist buyers Post Sales.

Power Q: 2009@New Delhi

National Seminar cum Exposition on Power Quality & Reliability

TTL Technologies participated in one day national seminar cum exposition on Power Quality and Reliability “POWER Q – 2009”, at New Delhi on 14 July 2009 organized by CII – LM Thapar Centre for Competitiveness for SMEs.

Mr. Rajesh Tawani, Business Unit Head of Thermography was also part of the seminar as a speaker. Being a Level 1 certified Thermographer, he spoke on the topic "Combining Power Quality & Thermal Imaging".

Infrared Health Screening

Since the outbreak of SARS/Bird Flu and more recently, the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic threat, health care providers and public officials have been using infrared (IR) non contact temperature measurement to scan large numbers of people at public areas for elevated temperatures that can result from a virus infection. People who register higher temperatures than normal can then be isolated for further evaluation to help prevent the spread of disease.

These systems can be used at:
- Airports, seaports, bus and train stations
- Hospitals and schools
- Factories and business buildings
- Stadium events and conventions
- Other public gathering areas

Benefits of infrared non contact temperature measurement:
- Non contact, so there is less chance of spreading infection or disease
- Temperature readings are immediate, so large groups of people can be screened quickly
- Infrared temperature measurement is completely safe and innocuous, so there is no risk to public safety
- Individuals can be moving, so travel is not delayed

Fluke Thermal Imagers monitor passengers for swine flu in Mexico City Airport. Click for Video

Fluke 289 True-rms Industrial Logging Multimeter with TrendCapture

Find Little Problems Before They Become Big Ones. The industrial meter for demanding users.

The new Fluke 289 is the next generation high performance industrial logging multimeter designed to solve complex problems in electronics, plant automation, power distribution, and electro-mechanical equipment. With the ability to log data and review it graphically on-screen, you can solve problems faster and help minimize downtime. Let the new 289 be your watchdog for systems or processes while you are off solving other problems.

With the newly equipped functionalities of Fluke 289, you can have multiple sets of measurement information simultaneously displayed at the same time and also log multiple sessions or log data continuously for over 200 hours. This is useful for characterizing the performance of a design or for unattended monitoring. Logging function with TrendCapture is an essential tool for documenting the performance of your designs, processes or systems, monitoring unattended while you work on other projects. It plots measurements as a single line to help detect signal anomalies over time, storing up to 10,000 readings. Using on-board TrendCapture, you can graphically view logged readings without a PC. Also saved measurements allow you to name and recall measurements made in the field

i-info button on board help screens for measurement functions. Unsure about a function? Go to that function and Press the “i” button. Low impedance voltage function prevents false readings due to “ghost voltage.” It is also the recommended mode when testing for absence or presence of live power. Low Pass Filter for accurate voltage and frequency measurements on adjustable speed motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment is another key feature.

Maximize productivity with the combined Fluke 289 and FlukeView forms combo kit. With built-in data logger and TrendCapture capability, the 289 helps you track down elusive, intermittent problems, monitoring equipment with any of its functions while you do other jobs. Overlay your logged data from six meters or six time periods to find cause and effect relationships or for condition monitoring applications in FVF software. Turn your data into meaningful graphs and tables for a professional report. The 289/FVF combo kit gives you a practical & affordable approach to predictive maintenance.

Be sure to also check out the Fluke 287 True-rms Electronics Logging Multimeter with TrendCapture designed for electronics professionals.

Click for Video

Using Fluke DMMs for a Quick Check of Fuel Pressure on General Motors Vehicles

1. Place the test leads in the 10 amp position, and the function rotary switch in the DC amp position.
2. With the ignition switched "off," connect the red test lead to battery positive. Do
not let the black lead touch ground.
3. Connect the black lead to fuel pump test terminal. The test terminal is located on the end of about a 4" pigtail on the relay itself. This is typically located in the cowl area of the vehicle. *

Compare readings to chart below. Readings below are with the vehicle battery at 12.4 volts. A small spark is normal.

Fuel System Min-Max Fuel Pressure Normal Draw
TBI 9-13 psig 2-4 amps
PFI 36-41 4-6 amps
CPI 5 5-64 8-9 amps

Lower amperage than chart: usually a no start condition, or long cranking time.
· High resistance in fuel pump harness connectors
· Fuel pump ground, or fuel pump
· Out of fuel in tank
· Pump is cavitating from hot fuel
· Vehicle battery low.

Higher amperage than chart:
· Fuel filter restriction
· Fuel return line restriction

If amperage slowly rises after being connected, a fuel filter should be suspected. Allow pump to run for 30 seconds.

Common sense test: Before condemning any part, repeat the test above on a vehicle with the same fuel system and compare your readings

Versatile new Fluke tool uncovers refrigerant leaks instantly, offers four operating modes

Ultraviolet light spots leaks; laser pinpoints problems

Fluke Corporation, the global leader in handheld electronic test and measurement technology, has introduced a compact refrigerant leak detector flashlight for professionals in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) fields.

The compact, easy-to-use Fluke RLD2 Refrigerant Leak Detector Flashlight uncovers refrigerant leaks instantly. Users turn on the ultraviolet (UV) light to find the leakage area, and then use the laser pointer to pinpoint the exact leak location.

With 100,000 hours of life and four operating modes, this versatile leak detector is a must have for HVAC, Plant Maintenance and Automotive Technicians.

Its features include:
- Six UV LEDs (395 nm wavelength) to illuminate leak detection dyes
- Laser pointer clearly locates the center of the UV field for accuracy
- Three-LED flashlight with 100,000 hour LED life
- Operating temperature 0 °C to 50 °C
- Four operating modes: flashlight, UV light, laser light, UV/laser light combination
- Convenient detachable key chain carabineer and AAA battery included

Fluke Thermal Imaging Online Seminar

Thermal imaging for everyday troubleshooting and maintenance

What will you learn:
What is thermal imaging and where can it be used
How does thermal imagers work
Are thermal imagers easy to use
What is IR-Fusion®
How to interpret thermal images in electrical, mechanical/electromechanical, heating, ventilation & air-conditioning and building inspection applications
How to choose a thermal imager

Who should attend:

Professionals who want to learn about thermal imaging in general

Duration:60 minutes

Fluke Power Quality Online Seminars

Taking charge of the quality and costs of your power system (Webinar)

Join us in this webinar on the fundamentals of power quality. Learn how to diagnose power quality problems by conducting a systematic power quality survey and how to troubleshoot power quality problems and save money by improving power quality.

What will you learn:
- Fundamentals of PQ (power quality), terminology and definitions
- Applicable international PQ standards on measuring instruments and control limits of PQ parameters
- "How to" monitoring and troubleshooting techniques, and save money by improving PQ
- Real world applications and examples
- How to select the right Power Quality test tool for the applications

Who Should Attend:
- Utility's service and maintenance team
- Facilities and plant maintenance professionals
- Field service professionals of equipment manufacturers
- Commercial electrical contractors

Duration:60 minutes

Fluke Thermal Imagers to aid in Swine Flu Screening at Airports

With the increasing number of Swine Flu cases in India, The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has decided to purchase thermal imagers / infrared cameras to be installed at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi, from Fluke Corporation, to help them screen passengers coming into the country with H1N1 influenza A, or swine flu symptoms.

The portable infrared thermal imagers enable airport, transit, public health officials and others to quickly scan and measure the skin temperature of large numbers of people. People who register higher temperatures than normal can then be isolated for further evaluation to help prevent the spread of disease.

Mr. Rajesh Tawani, Business Unit Head (TI) at TTL Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Fluke Representative), a Level 1 certified Thermographer, has worked with airport and Health Ministry officials to provide training and consulting services to ensure high quality screening.

“IR noncontact thermal imagers use IR emissions to measure surface temperature, including the temperature of skin, which is displayed in color on the thermal imager's screen. IR Fusion, a user-preferred technology incorporated in Fluke thermal imagers, helps the operator identify individuals with elevated skin temperature and pull them aside for further screening to determine whether they actually have a fever and communicable illness”, says Mr. Suneel Kapoor, National Manager (IG), Fluke India.

Fluke imagers can detect temperature differences as small as 0.05 degrees C and also feature the large LCD screens and video output which make them ideal in the use of scanning large groups of people. As screening tools, Fluke infrared thermal imagers have many benefits. Non-contact screening reduces the chance of spreading infection or disease. IR Fusion technology provides screeners with a visible light image (digital picture) of the crowd making screening quicker and more efficient. Infrared temperature measurement is completely safe and non-invasive, so there is no risk to public safety or privacy. People can be screened while moving, so travel is not delayed.

In addition to such public health applications, Fluke Thermal imagers are invaluable tools to detect moisture damage and missing insulation, identify energy losses, inspect roofing, inspect electrical and mechanical equipment and for many other everyday troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.