Fluke 87-V Multimeter Review

fluke_87-V

Editor Rating: 4.7/5

Excellent

Fluke 87-V Multimeter

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Nov 25, 2022 @ 9:38 am

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Fluke 87V Review Summary:

 

  • Voltage: 1000 volts
  • Auto range: Yes
  • Weight: 0.78 pounds
  • Current: 10A
  • Temperature:–328 to 1994 degrees Fahrenheit

Features

  • Rugged build for industrial applications.
  • VFD (variable frequency drive) compatible.
  • Measures nonlinear signals.

Fluke 87-V – The Basics


The Fluke 87-V multimeter is great for professional electricians who have to deal with HVAC units. As you may know, units labeled as suitable for measuring HVAC applications have a lower and higher resolution and range in comparison to the conventional (standard) multimeters. It can measure voltage, frequency, capacitance, current, and even temperature. The built-in thermometer is quite precise and reliable. A thermocouple is included with the unit as well, which means you can measure the temperature of almost anything, including liquids. However, make sure that the liquid is not corrosive because you’ll jeopardize the integrity of it if you dip it in corrosive liquids.

One of the greatest things about the 87-V multimeter apart from its versatile functions is the display. It has an impressive dual resolution screen with 6000 and 20 000 counts. It means you can detect even the smallest fluctuations in voltage almost instantly.

Fluke 87-V Features


Auto and manual ranging


While most multimeters have either auto or manual ranging, this one features both. The benefits are pretty obvious. If you’re a beginner, feel free to use the auto-ranging mode, and you shouldn’t have an issue. If you’re a professional, the manual ranging comes in handy if you want to narrow down certain aspects of your test. It’s not a complicated concept at all, but if you don’t want to hassle with additional options, simply choose the auto-ranging functions, and you’re good to go.

The design


Engineers from Fluke take great care when it comes to designing sturdy and durable units. The Fluke 87-V is tested under pretty rigorous conditions including humidity, drops, shocks, and so on. It’s safe to say that this is one of the most shock-resistant devices on the market. The multimeter also comes with a lifetime warranty which means you’ll get a new one every time something happens to your current unit. Bear in mind; there are special conditions for eligibility as far as the warranty goes.

True RMS


The Fluke 87-V has the True RMS technology integrated, which is a good sign. It offers a dose of safety when talking about precision and accuracy. In fact, units with True RMS technology have shown much more precise readings than the ones without True RMS. If you’re a professional and you depend on accurate readings, having this in your multimeter is mandatory.

Auto shut off


While some consider it to be an irrelevant feature, we think it’s quite important. The concept is self-explanatory – if you don’t shut the unit down, it will shut itself down after 15 minutes of inactivity. Why is this important? If you take a moment and put it in perspective, you’ll see how much money you can save by preserving battery thanks to this particular feature. Also, you won’t end up with an unresponsive multimeter because you’ve forgotten to turn it off the last time you’ve used it. If you’re conducting tests that last longer than 15 minutes, don’t worry, the device is designed to recognize the activity, and it won’t shut down.

Audible warnings


For everything you do wrong – you’ll get an audible warning. Because safety is one of the crucial things you need to pay attention to, the audible warnings come in handy. If you hear a warning, make sure to react accordingly. You can find the meaning of every audible signal in the user manual.

Auto-hold function


If you don’t have the time or conditions to write down the values, you can use the “hold” function. It works on a pretty simple principle. Once you conduct a test, simply press the
“Hold” button and the unit will store the last reading until you overwrite it with a new one, or press the button again.

Temperature


A thermometer is integrated into the unit, and it can read the room temperature without a probe. However, if you want to measure the temperature of a particular object or liquid, all you have to do is connect the thermocouple which is included with the unit.

Who Can Use The Fluke 87V?


The beauty of this particular unit is that anyone can use it. However, it’s not advised for absolute beginners because it has quite a lot of auxiliary features that could be confusing for a person who’s not an expert when it comes to measuring voltage or using the meter in general.

On the other hand, people who work with electricity and HVAC applications for a living are pretty pleased with its performance. It’s well-designed, sturdy, durable, and most importantly – reliable. It will always offer the same readings while remaining as accurate and as precise as possible. If you’re looking for a quality HVAC Multimeter with a ton of features for an affordable price – this might be the one.

Fluke 87-V use

Fluke 87V Pros:

N

Accurate and precise

N

Sturdy and durable

N

Great warranty conditions

N

Adequate for professionals who deal with HVAC every day

Cons:

N

No non-voltage detection

N

Premium price

N

The display could be bigger

What We Didn’t Like About It


Although it’s a great unit, it isn’t perfect. There are a few disadvantages that we consider are important to point out so that you know what you’re getting if you opt for this particular model.

The first thing we didn’t like about it is the price. Although it’s always up to you to determine whether or not it’s worth purchasing, it still seems more expensive than other available units. While it packs a ton of auxiliary features, it could be slightly cheaper. However, if you feel like this is the thing you’re looking for – go for it and don’t think about the price because it will pay itself off relatively quickly.

Some people don’t like the size of the screen, but that’s purely individual. We think the size of the screen is relatively satisfactory. It could have been bigger, but it’s not a crucial downside by any means.

Fluke 87-V review

Fluke 87V FAQs

Can I measure temperature with the Fluke 87V?

Yes, you can. You can measure the room temperature without any additional probes. If you want to measure a temperature of a particular object, connect the thermocouple that’s included in the box.

Is the Fluke 87V a complicated multimeter?

It all comes down to your personal experience. If you’re an absolute beginner, you’d probably have a few uncertainties about it. However, if you’re an expert, it’s pretty easy to use.

Can I get a calibration certificate?

While it’s not included in the box, you can order it from Fluke’s official website. However, you’ll have to pay extra.

Is the 87V made in the United States?

It is assembled in the United States with non-US parts.

Does the min/max feature work with resistance as well?

Yes, it does.

What Users Say About The Fluke 87V


A vast majority of people who had the opportunity to use the 87V model have pretty positive impressions about it. While some don’t like the absence of non-voltage detector, others don’t find it necessary. The most important thing is that it works as advertised, which means what you see is what you get.

As far as the Amazon reviews go, it’s rated as one of the best in its category. It has an impressive 4.7-star rating out of more than 250 reviews. We all know Amazon customers are pretty harsh when it comes to reviewing products, but this particular model got praised a lot.

Conclusion


If you opt for the Fluke 87V, it’s going to serve you for many years, as long as you follow the instructions and a few simple maintenance rules. To be completely honest, it doesn’t get much better than this. There are units with additional accessories available such as the carrying bag, holster, extra probes and so on. However, if you’re not looking for these extra accessories, opting for the Fluke 87-V wouldn’t be a mistake at all. It may have a somewhat premium price, but you can rest assured that it’s worth every penny and it performs as advertised.

On the other hand, if you don’t like it, feel free to check out our other multimeter reviews, you might find something of interest.

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