Fluke multimeters: infringement of international safety standard

From: Philip.Belben_at_PowerTech.co.uk <(Philip.Belben_at_PowerTech.co.uk)>
Date: Thu Oct 22 12:26:39 1998

This came round at work. I don't know if any of you have a Fluke 80 series
- IMHO the Fluke 87 is still one of the best multimeters that money can
buy. (I don't have that much money so I have a Fluke 29 and am thus not
affected.)

However, I believe electrical safety is something to take very seriously.
I have received nasty shocks and nastier burns from accidentally touching
the mains (yes, even the earth conductor), and the rectified mains in
switch mode power supplies is even nastier. Not to mention high voltages
in monitors, etc.

Philip.

---------------------- Forwarded by Philip Belben/PTech/PowerGen on
22/10/98 17:23 ---------------------------

From: Chris Bright on 22/10/98 09:22

To: George WEDGWOOD/Westwood/PowerGen_at_PowerGen
cc: (bcc: Philip Belben/PTech/PowerGen)
Subject: Fluke electrical multimeters: infringement of international
      safety standard

Recently Fluke Corporation discovered a small dimensional shortfall within
its 80 Series III digital multimeters and 787 process multimeters. This
means that the meters do not comply with IEC 1010-1 which deals with double
or reinforced insulation in the 1000V Overvoltage Category III rating.

The problem may be solved by fitting a replacement battery cover obtainable
free form Fluke. The affected range of products are:

Model Serial number Manufactured Date
          From To From To

83 III 69810781 71200001 29 Dec 1997 7 July 1998
85 III 69810501 71200001 29 Dec 1997 7 July 1998
87 III 69910001 71200001 12 Jan 1998 7 July 1998
787 All units prior to 71200001 7 July 1998

For further information please contact the local Fluke Sales Office on Tel
01 923 216400. [NB that is a UK number local to us at Nottingham. PDB]

Chris Bright
Power Technology

File DXHA/SAFT/ELEC/OFFC
Received on Thu Oct 22 1998 - 12:26:39 BST