Customer Reviews

Fluke Corporation T5-600 Electrical Tester with Open Jaw Current

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I originally bought this model based on the recommendation in the July 2005 issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine, listed as a "dependable tester."

I've had difficulty with multimeters in the past, but never with a Fluke brand multimeter. I've droped Flukes down ladders, on concrete, and they still work like a champ. They work so well and are so trusted, it's the only brand of test equipment that the U.S. military does NOT require to have regular calibrations (though Fluke does recommend an annual calibration.)

Pros:
- The best feature (for me) is that the test lead can be plugged into the back of the unit and used like a big handle. This means that you can hold the Fluke in one hand with the hot lead sticking out the "jaw" end while your other hand holds the other lead in place. No more trying to find a place for the meter to sit.

- "Slim Reach" probe tips (4mm) are flattened to allow tips to be easily inserted into outlets. Still round, but have flat sides to them. Tips are replaceable.

- Leads stow in the back of the meter.

- Audible continuity beeper is plenty loud. I've been able to hear it over engine noise.

- The "automatic" and "auto-select" features are quick. Simply select volts, stick your probes, and you have a reading within a couple seconds.

- Dust and water "resistant." (I wouldn't go swimming with it or anything.)

- Has a "low battery" indicator.

- 2-year warranty. Save that receipt!

Cons:
- Pricey, when compared to other brands. But, I feel the quality speaks for itself here.

- Made in China (for those of you that want to know.)

Specifications:
Precise digital resolution to 0.1 amp, 1 ohm, and 1 volt (AC/DC.)
Uses two AA zinc chloride or alkaline batteries
Current sensor opening "jaw" = 12.9 mm
"Can stay connected much longer than solenoid type tester"

I HIGHLY recommend this multimeter for the professional as well as the do-it-yourselfer.

This tester does everything I need and so far (6 mo), has stood up to whatever kind of abuse I've able to throw at it. As the previous reviewer mentioned, one of its best features is that you can lock one of the probes into the back of the meter and use the whole thing as a kind of big probe -- no problems with finding where to set the meter or where to look for the reading. Only improvement I could think of would be a light for the LCD panel.

Simple controls, solid construction, and looks like it was designed by someone who has actually tried to use a meter while on top of a step ladder. Well worth the extra $$.

This tester is great. Enough to do many jobs in your houses.

The automatic selector of voltage is one advantage to non professional people.

The open clamp is great but if you want to measure more than 100 amps you'll have to buy another one ( see Fluke 322 )

You must be carefull with the teast leads, they are really sharp.I really recommend to buy with the T5, the starter kit.

I originally bought this model based on the recommendation in the July 2005 issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine, listed as a "dependable tester."

I've had difficulty with multimeters in the past, but never with a Fluke brand multimeter. I've droped Flukes down ladders, on concrete, and they still work like a champ. They work so well and are so trusted, it's the only brand of test equipment that the U.S. military does NOT require to have regular calibrations (though Fluke does recommend an annual calibration.)

Pros:
- The best feature (for me) is that the test lead can be plugged into the back of the unit and used like a big handle. This means that you can hold the Fluke in one hand with the hot lead sticking out the "jaw" end while your other hand holds the other lead in place. No more trying to find a place for the meter to sit.

- "Slim Reach" probe tips (4mm) are flattened to allow tips to be easily inserted into outlets. Still round, but have flat sides to them. Tips are replaceable.

- Leads stow in the back of the meter.

- Audible continuity beeper is plenty loud. I've been able to hear it over engine noise.

- The "automatic" and "auto-select" features are quick. Simply select volts, stick your probes, and you have a reading within a couple seconds.

- Dust and water "resistant." (I wouldn't go swimming with it or anything.)

- Has a "low battery" indicator.

- 2-year warranty. Save that receipt!

Cons:
- Pricey, when compared to other brands. But, I feel the quality speaks for itself here.

- Made in China (for those of you that want to know.)

Specifications:
Precise digital resolution to 0.1 amp, 1 ohm, and 1 volt (AC/DC.)
Uses two AA zinc chloride or alkaline batteries
Current sensor opening "jaw" = 12.9 mm
"Can stay connected much longer than solenoid type tester"

I HIGHLY recommend this multimeter for the professional as well as the do-it-yourselfer.

I've used these at my work for years and they come in handy if your checking just your standard motors or basic electrical equipment but I have several gripes with these. #1 is that the meter only goes to 1K ohms which you can't check a lot of smaller coils or rheostats since they often go to 5k or 10k. #2 is that if you had ever had to trouble shoot a lower voltage like 24v dc the meter will show the highest reading in which sometimes there are phantom voltages that will show like say 30 vac but negligible voltage on dc. The 3rd gripe is that the leads are too thick and the exposed tips are too long some times. They often wouldn't fit on smaller terminal strips. Or you might short the lead between the test point and something you didn't plan on touching if you you were working in a tight area.

I work as a Master Mechanic is a large manufacturing plant and needed something I could shove in my pocket and not get the leads all tangled. I especially liked the open-jaw ammeter.

The only drawbacks I found is the ohmmeter that shows an open (infinite resistance) after 1K. That has caused me to condemn good components. Also the plastic clip that holds one of the leads broke shortly after I bought my first one. I was able to fix it with a little silicone caulk. About 4 years later I lost a segment in the readout that made it hard to distinguish numbers. That's when I bought my second one. 4 years is good service for a low-cost tool made out of plastic that gets constant use and abuse.

I've used a number of testers and the Fluke is a good one. Unlike other multi testers you can't put this on the wrong setting and short out what you're working on. Easy to use and durable, this is my favorite electrical tester bar none.

the T-5 600 is all around a good electrical tester for beginners..... my only complaint is that it doesn't measure dc current and only reads up to 1000 ohms..... but its very simple to use and kind of cheap for a fluke. If you will be working with electronics then i guess this meter is applicable..... but if you are working with high voltage and high resistance, then dont get this.....

Used this meter for years in industrial maintenance, no complaints. If you have the need to switch between AC & DC volts (say checking for AC ripple on a DC power supply output), then this meter is not for you. But for what it was designed for, I give it 5 stars. Accurate, good battery life, and most important, durable.

Love this tester but a bit disappointed that the jaws are too fat to fit into standard line splitters. I bought an AC Line Splitter to use with these and they just aren't made for each other. If you are thinking of using this meter with a line splitter you'll have to look elsewhere.