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72 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON

AU T UMN 20 1 7

FLUKE THERMAL MULTIMETER 279

FC/IFLEX REVIEW

T

he Fluke 279 FC with its

companion device, iFlex, is

essentially a troubleshooting tool

that helps you find, repair and report

electrical issues. The thermal camera

allows users to quickly check for heat

spots on high voltage equipment and

transformers, and detect heating of

fuses, wires, switches and the like.

Issues can then be analysed further with

the multimeter.

For current measurements you do

need the iFlex: a flexible ammeter clamp

that can be purchased as a package with

the 279 FC. The iFlex clamp has a large

opening (which allows you to get around

larger cables and busbars etc.) with long

leads made of high quality silicone as

opposed to plastic. It does have to be

connected manually though so can’t be

used too close to anything else live. It

features a retracting protective cover on

the probe which I think is a great idea.

It’s a function that could minimise any

possibility of shorting.

Combining a thermal imaging camera

with a multimeter is a great idea but the

279 FC takes this device’s functionality

a step further by allowing the user to

wirelessly transmit results to a smart

phone (up to 20m away) using the

companion app. This lets you monitor

measurements live on a smart phone

screen as well as create and email reports

from the job. This feature would be handy

in situations like a factory environment to

send details to other staff members.

The unit has a large screen which

makes thermal imaging easy but, like all

coloured screens, it can be a bit hard to

see outside – especially in bright sunlight.

That said, we used the thermal imaging

function to check for hot spots over solar

panels and switchboard connections

without too much trouble.

The tester has a min/max function

which is a really handy feature,

particularly while measuring current, as

it lets you capture the maximum start

current of a motor. This can be helpful for

monitoring fluctuating voltages if you’re

observing volt drop in an installation. The

meter also shows the frequency on the

screen while you’re measuring voltage

which is handy to know.

A big negative for me was the

battery charging set up. I found it a bit

cumbersome and not designed with

practical applications in mind. For

one, you have to remove the battery

THE FLUKE THERMAL

MULTIMETER 279 FC/IFLEX IS

A THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA

COMBINED WITH A MULTIMETER.

SHEPPARTON-BASED ELECTRICAL

CONTRACTOR

PAUL REILLY

TOOK ONE FOR A TEST RUN AND

GIVES

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

THE

LOW-DOWN.

The Fluke 279 FC with its companion device iFlex has been put through its paces.

TESTING TIMES