Fluke123 discontinued as a required ETC technician tool

Thanks for the news Kathy.  I've been thinking I need to think my toolkit down and reduce the weight. :)

So what meter will ETC be requiring us to have in the field, or could you clarify the minimum requirements of the meter we should be required to have.

I'll start by assuming it should have the following-

1) TRUE RMS Capability

2) AC Volt and DC Volt reading up to 600V AC

3) Continuity/Ohms check up to 1MegOhm

What other requirements does field service think we should have on the meter?  Just curious.  

I've already been thinking of reducing the size of the every day meter I use on System commissionings, and keeping the 123 in my toolkit that doesn't leave the car unless I need that odd tool that rarely gets used.  Not that the 123 will be rarely used, as it is a good tool on the bench or when you really need to see why the DMX is not working right at the end of a long run.  

Hi Dennis,

 You are on the right path for a good small meter.  The most important thing is that it has True RMS capability.

 Thanks for the reply Dan.

For those other ETC Authorized Field Service techs, I've found that the Fluke 114, 115, and 117 models have most of what I need  to use in the field that also exists on the Fluke 123.   The 114 is the least functional/expensive of the bunch while still meeting what I feel is the minimum features we need in the field, with the 115 and 117 having progressively more features (and progressively more expensive.)  I've opted for the 117, due to it having diode and capacitor check, along with a built in Volt Alert Sensor in the unit. 

 I'd be curious to read what other field techs out there are using by brand/model number. 

This change has been long in coming…as was the requirement to carry a torque wrench to every installation…but the change has come and it is very much the right decision as ETC Field Service focus has been changed from the termination of DMX, Link, RFU and moving to full network systems. It is also the case that even a Factory Field Technician is no longer expected to perform bench-level repairs in the field unless you are David Tramontina or Steve Short. But ultimately I would like to think that the lack of need for a scope on ETC installations has to do with the continuing improvement of wiring techniques and quality of product.

I have had a FLUKE 87 True RMS since my sophomore year in college. In fact I now have 2 as I was ‘issued’ one by ETC in 1996. Given that I still have both of these units after so many years and many..many..many field service trips is a huge vote of confidence in the overall quality of the unit. (Even though I now in Germany with my US issued 87 and rarely get a chance to use it).

"You can have my FLUKE 87 when you pry it from my cold dead hands!"...now someone tell me the difference between the diode testing setting and the ohm setting?

Still a Field Tech at heart…

Mike

I hope you are kidding when you say you want someone to tell you the difference between diode testing and resistance testing.  Do you seriously need to know this or are you checking to see if others know this?

David

I still carry the Torque wrench, but it's more of a motivational tool now, rather than it's intended purpose.  :)

I would think that would be Foot - pounds ....or feet- per -pounding.

I still always carry my tech-scope. THS720.  I still use it both as my bench and field scope.  The silly battery pack for it lists for $90, but three NiCads and some foil tape and you are good to go for about $10.  At the time I got it, it was the hip /cool/ wow 100Mhz scope/meter/logger.  It is wider than the fluke, but skinnier…but the case is much bigger – laptop size.

Anyway, what are the current thoughts for CAT5 or CAT6 certifiers?  At this point I have a go/no-go tester (LANpro) and a POE tester.  I am assuming that they will become mandatory in the future.

Ok, now that I looked in my kit, I see I have the Test-Um LanRoverPro (TP600?).  I believe TestUm has been bought, and now it is called the LanRomerPro.  It is in the $160 range, and includes one remote, expandible to 8.  It tests wiring & length. Very easy to use.

I see that the Test-Um Validator NT-950 is in the $1300 range.  Are we going to require such a tool?  Or do you believe that the certification of networks will remain a rarely requested task?

For quick checking of network cable runs, at ETC London we have a nice little "Fluke MicroScanner 2" cable verifier.

This one includes cable length measurements as well as all the 'disconnected pair' and 'find this cable' tests.

We've actually found it quite useful for testing DMX cable as well, with the relevant jumpers!

RS have it for £303 in the UK, and a quick Google popped it up for USD$ 400 at a few places.

For quick checking of network cable runs, at ETC London we have a nice little "Fluke MicroScanner 2" cable verifier.

This one includes cable length measurements as well as all the 'disconnected pair' and 'find this cable' tests.

We've actually found it quite useful for testing DMX cable as well, with the relevant jumpers!

RS have it for £303 in the UK, and a quick Google popped it up for USD$ 400 at a few places.