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.