[Test-Equipment] Fluke 8500A series: which one?

[jbarnes]

The 8502A and 8500A are earlier than the 8505A and 8506A.

The meters are modular, making module replacement easy. Troubleshooting requires an extender. The modules are similar between the 8500/8502 and the 8505/06 but noy interchangeable.

The meters can be equiped with options selectively. This was done to reduce cost. 

A number of different ac options were available; average responding, RMS. The 8506A came with a thermal ac converter as standard.

The other options are:

ohms


All offer 4 terminal measurements.

current ac and dc to 2 amps.

The meters are no longer supported by Fluke.

Calibration is expensive because of the large number of trimmers.

The 8506A with ohms option and IEEE488 is the best unit. High ac and dc accuracy.

The 8505A matches the d.c. accuracy of the 8506A but does not have the thermal rms converter.

8502A and 8500A are earlier versions one less digit resolution. Good meters.

You may also want to consider the 8840/8842 meters from Fluke these are available relatively cheaply. Cheaper to calibrate, but no thermal RMS.

Regards,


John Barnes
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Gottfried Ira <ira@atnet.at>
Date:  Tue, 09 Sep 2003 23:40:00 +0200

>Hello,
>
>used 8500A, 8502A, 8505A and 8506A DMMs are available at very
>affordable prices. They offer 6,5 digits resolution
>and can be equipped with IEEE, TRMS, Ohms and current shunt
>options. And they look all the same!
>But that is all information I could gather.
>(www.fluke.com has an archive of obsolete equipment, but
>does not list the 850xA.)
>
>Does anybody know the differences? Should a certain
>model be avoided? What would be the optimum for
>a nice home lab?
>
>Any hint appreciated!
>Thanks,
>    Gottfried
>
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