Fluke T5 1000 Application Note 2402573

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When things are tight,
reach for the Fluke T5
Application Note

No matter what the electrical
dilemma is, the solution always
depends on basic electrical principles: Ohm’s Law and V = IR,
where V is voltage, I is current,
and R is resistance. Enter the
Fluke T5-1000.

Yes, the T5 is a general purpose volts-ohms-amps electrical
tester that measures ac and dc
voltage, and resistance values up
to 1,000 Ω. However: Once its
stationary open jaws slide around

a conductor, the T5 safely
measures ac current up to 100 A
without clamping the jaws shut
or breaking the circuit.
That “OpenJaw” technology
allows the T5 to make highly
accurate measurements in environments that would drive other
clampmeters into early retirement.

No extra hands needed
The T5 is one very compact little
meter. Easily cradled in one
hand, the T5 has a test lead slot
in its back, making the meter an
“extended handle” for the probe
and leaving the technician’s
other hand free to place the other
lead. It also features a large,
easy-to-read digital display and a
hold feature for checking the
value away from the “reading”
position. And like other Fluke
tools, the T5 automatically shuts
off after 45 minutes, prolonging
battery life, and is built to withstand falls. According to Duane
Smith, Senior Product Specialist
at Fluke, “While we know the T5
can handle falling off a ladder,
we’ve seen it survive greater
drops than that in the real
world.”
Convenience is very important
to Dale Kemmer, FlukePlus member and head electrician at
Crown Pacific Ltd., a lumber mill
in Marysville, WA USA. “I do a lot
of in-plant troubleshooting. I own
several Fluke meters but there’s
one I carry in my hip pocket all
the time: the T5-1000. It’s an
awesome meter for a troubleshooter who doesn’t want to carry
a lot of tools around a large facility like our mill,” Kemmer says.
Using the tester as an extended “handle” for either probe allows convenient two-hand operation.

From the Fluke Digital Library @ www.fluke.com/library

The “rocket,” as he calls his
T5, can be used almost everywhere in this facility, which has
a wide variety of electrical
devices from computers to large
horsepower motors. Most of the
machinery (debarkers, saws,
planers, kilns, etc) is large.
Controls range from computers to
standard PLCs. “I end up using
the ‘rocket’ 90 % of the time,” he
adds. “I can operate it with one
hand and switch from volts to
amps to continuity with my
thumb. Being able to switch
measurements so easily speeds
up the troubleshooting process.”
Mr. Kemmer also trains millwrights at the Crown Pacific
facility. “These are real hands-on
guys. I use the T5 in my training
to illustrate how to make basic
electrical measurements. It’s a
great teaching tool,” he says.

Fixed jaws go where
others can’t
The T5 can check current up
to 100 A without breaking the
circuit, simply by sliding its
fixed jaws around the connector.
It does this by measuring the flux
density around the conductor.
As Paul Knapp, electrical
foreman at Minneapolis-St. Paul
Airport (MSP), puts it, “All the
electrician needs to do is pull the
wire away from the wall far
enough to get it between the
jaws. Nothing needs to open or
close. The T5 works no matter
how much moisture, mud, dirt, or
glycol from de-icing operations it
encounters on the wires in the
airport’s lighting manholes or
taxi bases. Moveable-jaw meters
proved troublesome when their
jaw ends corroded, often rendering them difficult to use or
entirely inoperative. This has
never been a problem with the
Fluke tool — it’s impressive.”

Applications
The T5 does everything a standard clampmeter does, except measure dc current.

General applications

•
•
•
•

Check if a circuit is live before beginning work
Check individual voltages (either ac or dc)
Determine component resistances up to 1000 ohms.
Check circuit continuity

Residential applications

•
•
•

Measure loads on a branch circuit at a service panel
Measure the load side voltage of a circuit breaker or fuse
Map outlets to breakers

Industrial applications

•
•

Check circuit loading at panelboards (including feeder cables, branch circuits, and
neutrals) and the integrity of a grounding circuit
Check for leakage currents in branch circuits. When both a neutral and corresponding
supply wire are placed in the T5’s jaws the reading should be zero. A reading other
than zero indicates that leakage current is returning on another path and, therefore, a
leaky load or poor insulation condition exists
• Motor measurements including loading value, current balance and for troubleshooting
control circuitry
The T5 is also handy when it comes to checking control functions during large
machinery installations. According to Kevin Gallimore, owner of Gallimore Services,
“When installing a machine and checking its sequencing, the small stationary jaws of
the T5 make it easy to check current flow and verify operation. Troubleshooting large
machines and distributed installation like HVAC systems can require two men on walkie
talkies, but with a T5, I can do much of it from the control panel.”

In order to make accurate current measurements using the T5, the
conductor should pass through the throat of jaws and parallel to its
axis as shown, in this example from the Minneapolis Airport. When
testing for the presence of power in a circuit to verify that it is off
prior to beginning electrical repairs, placement of the conductor in
the jaws is slightly less critical since no reading is expected for a
non-energized circuit.
2 Fluke Corporation

When things are tight, reach for the Fluke T5

Making electrical measurements with
the T5
Voltage measurements
1. Turn the selector to the V. The meter automatically selects the correct internal circuitry
depending on the type of voltage being
measured. For volts dc and ac, the T5-600 is
rated for 600 V CAT III and the T5-1000 is rated
for 1,000 V CAT III or 600 V CAT IV.
2. Touch the probe tips to the circuit across the
load or power source in parallel to the circuit.
Either probe can be fitted into the back of the
meter for easy two-handed operation.
3. Record the reading, making note of the units of
measurement.
4. If you can’t read the display, press the HOLD
button to freeze it, remove the meter from the
live circuit, and then check the value.

Resistance measurements
1. Turn off power in the circuit to be tested.
2. Turn the selector to Ω.
3. Touch the probe tips across the designated
component or portion of the circuit.
4. Record the reading.

Continuity
Continuity is a quick go/no-go resistance test that
distinguishes between an open and closed circuit.
The T5 continuity tester beeps when it detects a
closed circuit (resistance less than 25 Ω) — no
reading is required — and when it encounters an
open circuit (resistance greater than 1000 Ω), “OL”
appears in the display.

Current measurements
1. Turn the selector to A.
2. Place the jaws of the meter around the conductor. The conductor should be no larger than 0.5
in. diameter.
3. The conductor should pass through the sensor
zone (noted by the circle at the base of the jaw
opening) and parallel to the axis of the slotted
opening. In a situation where checking for a
“hot” conductor is more important than the
absolute ampere reading, exact placement of the
jaws around the conductor is less important.
4. View the reading. Note that the HOLD function
can be used on all measurements as necessary.

Guidelines for working safely
High voltages and currents present in electrical power systems can cause serious injury or death by electrocution or
burns. Only trained, experienced electrical or maintenance
technicians should test or modify electrical systems.
• Never work alone.
• Use caution when working above 30 Vac rms, 42 Vac
peak, or 60 V dc.
• Do not use the tester around explosive gas, vapor, or
dust.
• Do not use a tester if it is damaged or operating abnormally. Before each use inspect the tester and tester
leads. Make sure the battery door is closed and latched.
Look for cracks, missing plastic, exposed metal, or damaged insulation. Replace damaged test leads before
using the tester. Verify its operation by measuring a
known voltage.
• Replace batteries as soon as the low battery indicator in
the display appears.
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on
the tester, between terminals or between any terminal
and earth ground.
• Use appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses,
insulated gloves, mats, etc.
• When using probes, keep finger behind the finger
guards.
• Always connect the common lead before connecting the
live lead. Always disconnect the live lead first.
• Make certain that all power has been turned off, locked,
and tagged out in any situation where direct contact
with circuit components is possible.
• Do not use instruments on applications for which they
are not intended. Also be aware that if equipment is
used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
• Refer meter servicing to qualified personnel.
• Clean the meter case with a damp cloth and detergent.
Do not use abrasives or solvents.

Fluke. Keeping your world
up and running.
Fluke Corporation
PO Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206
Fluke Europe B.V.
PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
For more information call:
In the U.S.A. (800) 443-5853 or
Fax (425) 446-5116
In Europe/M-East/Africa (31 40) 2 675 200 or
Fax (31 40) 2 675 222
In Canada (800) 36-FLUKE or
Fax (905) 890-6866
From other countries +1 (425) 446-5500 or
Fax +1 (425) 446-5116
Web access: http://www.fluke.com

3 Fluke Corporation

When things are tight, reach for the Fluke T5

©2004 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. 10/2004 2402573 A-US-N Rev A



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