Fluke 8808A and Tektroix DMM4020 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: heathkitman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 03:41:45 pm
content: I need to replace my bench meter and am looking at the Fluke 8808A and Tektroix DMM4020. It is obvious that they are the same meters. My question is it a Fluke designed and engineered meter re- badged by Tektronix or is it a Tektronix designed and engineered meter re- badged by Fluke? I have equipment from both companies and they both make a quality product. I do think however that Flukes customer service is better.Any input would be appreciatedHeathkitmam

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 03:57:48 pm
content: Take a look at this review:http://www.element14.com/community/roadTestReviews/1398According to this author, it is originally a Fluke design, which makes sense. Fluke and Tektronix are owned by the same company, and Fluke has more experience making mid-range DMMs.

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 04:24:48 pm
content: Any reason why you are set on this unit? Have you consider any of the Agilent models?

author: heathkitman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 04:57:43 pm
content: I have also been looking at the Agilent 34405A. I am concerned with the problem that the U3204A has with the diode test. Apparently is a firmware issue and there is no fix in sight. Also the continuity latch up time on the U3204A is very slow. I don't know if the 34405A suffers from the same issues.

author: kxenos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 05:07:40 pm
content: Off-topic, but have you considered Keithley 2000 or 2015?

author: ben_r_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 05:57:10 pm
content: Quote from: heathkitman on April 13, 2013, 04:57:43 pmWhat about the newer Agilent 34450A? Have you checked that one out? Thats what Im hoping to pick up soon to upgrade from my U3401A.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 09:33:02 pm
content: I dont like Agilent meters because diode range is only up to 1.000VWith U3401/2 you can get faster continuity response by selecting continuity mode and use range button to select different resistance range. It responds much faster.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 11:58:10 pm
content: Quote from: zaoka on April 13, 2013, 09:33:02 pmThat may be very deliberate. Up around 3.9V may be considered high enough to potentially damage the inputs of some low voltage logic ICs.It may be that Agilent has decided it is much more important not to be a potential source of damage rather then to be a great LED tester. There is probably some $10 multimeter you can keep handy that has a high enough test voltage if you need to test LEDs.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 12:06:31 am
content: How on earth will i test my poor little 1n4758s?

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 12:19:16 am
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on April 14, 2013, 12:06:31 amThe simplest way is to use 57 Agilent DMMs in series.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 12:25:25 am
content: Quote from: amspire on April 13, 2013, 11:58:10 pmI concur. Who really needs to test diodes above 1V anyway? You're not going to test a Zener on the diode range, so that just leaves LEDs - and when do people really test LEDs on a DMM? It's usually pretty obvious if it's failed...Quote from: peter.mitchell on April 14, 2013, 12:06:31 amThrow it towards the trash. If it falls in, it's bad.

author: skipjackrc4
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 01:14:43 am
content: Honestly, for zeners and LEDs, I would use a curve tracer. No meter will handle zeners anyway, and those are usually what I want to measure.

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2013, 04:05:05 am
content: For designers 1.000V range is probably OK, if you use meter for troubleshooting as well its not good, many leaky diodes or transistors will not be detected by meter with that range. At least 2.500V is needed.

author: fpga
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2013, 10:50:08 pm
content: Today, Agilent released the new 34460A/34461A and they had upped the diode test voltage to 5V from the 1V on the 34450A. This is good for those testing loose diodes, but it may raise the risk of damaging sensitive components if used for on-board testing. Much of today's digital stuff is not 5V tolerant, and now we are seeing components with inputs that are not tolerant to 3.3V either.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 01:52:13 am
content: I suggest a 8846A

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 01:55:47 am
content: Quote from: fpga on June 11, 2013, 10:50:08 pmCats out of the bag...Where did you see the announcement?

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 02:14:41 am
content: http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-2270273-pn-34461A/digital-multimeter-6-digit-34401a-replacement-truevolt-dmm?nid=-536902435.1058513&cc=US&lc=engThey could add capacity as well

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 02:45:37 am
content: Quote from: zaoka on June 12, 2013, 02:14:41 amWell, there you go, it's officially on their web site.I had a press release date of June 17th.

author: fpga
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 04:35:56 am
content: The 34461A looks very interesting -- nice specs, nice flashy new GUI, USB and LXI. Only thing they omitted was Capacitance measurement, which is of questionable value on a high end DMM.The cheaper 34460A is not much of a bargain compared to the 34461A. Half the precision of the 34461A, reduced capability, no LXI, no probes, they even took out the USB cable (cheapscates!).So my question, is the 34461A worth the 300USD over the 34450A? The 34450A has all of the features one would _need_ in a "budget" bench DMM. However the 34461A has 4x the precision, 6.5 digits, faster measurement rate, color GUI, LXI, etc.I really think that Agilent has done to the bench DMM market what they had done with the X2000/X3000 scopes.