Collected Experience for the Next Generation

Welcome to Meter Helper      

 Thank you for visiting!

Types of Meters: 

Voltage Detectors, Clamp-on Ampmeters, Multimeters, Power Meters, Oscopes, Thermometers, Thermal Imagers and More.  

Meter Selection and Use

Types of Measurements 

Volts, Amps, Watts (Power), Resistance, Temperature…. How they work and how to put them to work for you.

Making Measurements

Tutorials and Training

Step by Step Guides and Training Materials proven during  on-site in Electrical, Facilities Maintenance, I&C and other trades shops.

Learn to do more with your meter

Application Note Library  

Collected "How To" app notes and case studies written by manufacturers, grouped by topic: Electrical, HVAC, Motors and Drives, Process Controls and Sensors .....

Choose a tester or meter that matches your application and daily use.

Voltage Detectors are indicators that show if Voltage is ON or OFF with a visual (light) , sound (beep), and/or vibration.  More....

Electrical Testers offer two or more measurement functions in a compact, fit-in-your-pocket format for every day electrical testing needs. More...

Clampmeters are full-functioned electrical tools, with built-in current clamps for faster and safer Amp measurements  More...

Multimeters are full-featured test tools for measuring a wide variety of electrical, electronic, and mechanical properties. More...

Insulation  Resistance Testers and Megaohm Meters  "pressure"  test wires, cables, motors and other devices, to test for leaks in the insulation.  These testers can include many of the same functions found on Digital Multimeters.  More....

Industrial Oscilloscopes  Expand your testing and troubleshooting capabilities: See the electrical waveforms, record measurements over time in a chart, and capture elusive, infrequent events that are impossible to track down with any other tool.  More...

Electrical Power Meters  Go beyond meters for more detailed power measurements such as  watts/kilowatts, watt hours/kilowatt hours for consumption, into power quality measurements Power Factor,  Power Spikes (highs) , Power Sags (lows) and Harmonics. More...

Thermal Imagers and IR Cameras take "heat pictures" by combining thousands of temperature measurements, allowing you to "see the unseen".  These images find problems in electrical systems, automation/process control, buildings, transportation and many others.  More...

Process Calibration and Troubleshooting Tools:  Meters and hand-held calibrators designed as support tools for automation and control systems, to measure, source, and simulate 4-20mA, temperature (T/Cs and RTDs), pressure, and many forms of sensors, plus gather data for process certification and validation.  More...

Learn About Electrical Measurement Safety

Work practices that can save your life

Electrical Measurement Safety for Arc Flash Prevention

Learn about industry standards that keep you safe: 

• Meter Safety Ratings: 
  • Make sure your meter can take the shock 
  • So you don't
• Arc Flash Protection Boundaries
• NFPA 70E
• IEC 61010

Click Here for More Information

Click Here for Electrical Measurement Safety Seminar overview

Application Note Library Page excerpts: 

Electrical Measurement Safety Application Notes

(Select notes-full list in Application Note Library)

Electrical Measurement Safety Seminar Overview 

10 ways to hurt yourself on electrical systems

Does your meter measure up to international safety standards?

Fluke Test Tool Selection Safety Checklist

Safety Considerations When Purchasing a Voltage Tester

Don't risk Category 4 areas without the right test leads

More Safety App Notes: 

Digital Multimeter and Clampmeter Core Concept App Notes

Fluke ABC's of Digital Multimeters Application Note

Fluke Clamp Meter ABC's Application Note

DMMs Verses Clampmeters (Fluke)

Why Would You Need True RMS on Your DMM or Clampmeter?

More DMM/Clampmeter App Notes: 

Motors and Motor Drives: Measurements and Troubleshooting

Test tools  and troubleshooting electrical motors

Inrush current measurements

Troubleshooting single-phase motors

Troubleshooting three-phase motors

Electrical Measurements on adjustable speed drives: 10 measurements that can tell you a lot

Insulation resistance measurements (using megaohm meters to test motor coils on last pages)

More Motor and Motor Drive App Notes...

HVAC Measurements and Troubleshooting

HVAC applications for electrical testers

Troubleshooting HVAC with Superheat and Subcooling

Troubleshooting HVAC Refrigeration Cycle for Mechanical Problems

When Startup inspections pay off for HVAC

Insulation Resistance Testing/ Using a Megger (how to test wires, motors, compressors for weak insulation or short circuits)

More HVAC Application Notes...

Electrical Power Measurement and Troubleshooting

"Making watt hour measurements with Fluke power analysers"

"Power quality instrument uses for electricians"

"Power Quality Troubleshooting" (out of print; 32 pages of great basics and good tips)

"Sensitive electronics need clean, stable power"

"Dirty power: can I have it and not know it?"

"Electrical noise and transients"

"Basic power quality methodology and common culprits"

"Common power quality factors affecting transformers"

More Electrical Power and Power Quality App Notes...

Thermal Imaging and IR Cameras

How can a heat picture (thermal image) help me?

A short overview on the uses of thermal imaging in a wide variety of industries

(Thermal Imaging Application note section being updated for 2024) 

Automation and Process Control Test Tools

Process Sensors and Controls: Basic measurements, troubleshooting and calibration techniques

4-24mA loop calibration and maintenance 

Troubleshooting 4-20mA process loops

In-field valve positioner checks using Fluke 789 Process Meter (4-20mA loop calibrator + DMM)

Field checking loop powered isolators using Fluke process meters

Calibrating voltage-input signal conditioners using a Fluke process meter

Troubleshooting process loops in potentially explosive atmospheres

HART smart transmitter calibration and troubleshooting guide

Calibrating gas-custody transfer flow computers

Temperature controls, transmitters and sensors

Temperature calibration (older classic app note)

Temperature applications and solutions illustrated (40 pages, product use and connection examples) 

Process and temperature switch applications and testing

Measuring uncommon (and custom) RTDs with Fluke 726 MFC

Pressure controls, transmitters and sensors

Pressure transmitter and sensor calibration and testing (older classic app note)

Pressure Calibration Guide

Fluke Pressure Calibration Overview Presentation (PPT-good basics on pressure measurement) 

Calibrating pressure switches with a Fluke Documenting Process Calibrator (DPC in title) 

Quick Links to Frequently Used Sections in menu's above: 

Electrical  Measurements: 

• Application-oriented, going into the "where and why" to take electrical measurements and what the readings mean.

Motors and Motor Drive Measurements:  

• Electrical measurements and troubleshooting techniques for electrical motors and drive systems: "How To" in detail with collected Fluke application notes. Vibration and thermal testing to be added soon. Seminars available.

Power Quality Troubleshooting and Electrical Energy Measurements:

• Learn more about electrical power measurements, save on your power bill, and find intermittent equipment/computer problems, this is a good place to start. 

How Can a Thermal Heat Picture Help Me?  

• Thermal images from buildings, electrical, electrical motors, and industrial applications, to show how this technology can help you find and diagnose problems.

Process Test Tools for  Sensors and Controls:  

• How to test, verify, troubleshoot, or calibrate process control circuits, like 4-20mA loops and HART smart transmitters, this section shows you how. 

Coming soon: 

Vibration Measurements: 

•  How a non-specialist can diagnose machine problems with vibration measurements.