Fluke 381: The Ultimate Guide – Full Specifications, Comparisons, Manuals, Troubleshooting, And Where To Buy

Fluke 381 Information

Introduction

The Fluke 381 is a true-RMS AC/DC clamp meter with a remote display. It is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of electrical testing tasks, including measuring current, voltage, resistance, and continuity. The Fluke 381 also features a number of advanced features, such as a low-pass filter to reduce noise, a data hold function, and a peak hold function.

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Specifications

Feature	Specification
Measuring range	AC current: 400 mA to 2500 A
DC current: 400 mA to 1000 A
Voltage: 20 mV to 750 V
Resistance: 40 Ω to 40 MΩ
Continuity: <1 Ω
Frequency: 50/60 Hz
CAT rating: CAT III 1000 V, CAT IV 600 V
Accuracy:

* AC current: ±0.5% or ±2 digits
* DC current: ±0.5% or ±2 digits
* Voltage: ±0.8% or ±2 digits
* Resistance: ±1% or ±2 digits

Features

True-RMS measurement: The Fluke 381 measures true RMS values, which is important for accurate measurements of AC signals.
Remote display: The remote display can be placed up to 30 feet away from the clamp meter, which gives you more flexibility when working in tight spaces.
Low-pass filter: The low-pass filter reduces noise from AC signals, which can improve the accuracy of your measurements.
Data hold: The data hold function allows you to freeze a measurement so that you can easily read it later.
Peak hold: The peak hold function captures the peak value of an AC signal, which can be useful for troubleshooting transients.
Auto-ranging: The Fluke 381 automatically ranges the display to the correct measurement range, which eliminates the need to manually change the range.
Backlit display: The backlit display makes it easy to read the display in low-light conditions.

What's in the box

Fluke 381 clamp meter
Remote display
iFlex current probe
Test leads
Carrying case
Instruction manual

Conclusion

The Fluke 381 is a versatile and powerful clamp meter that is ideal for a variety of electrical testing tasks. It features a number of advanced features that make it a valuable tool for technicians and engineers.

Fluke 381 Compare with Similar Item

a table comparison of the Fluke 381 and two similar items:

Feature	Fluke 381	Fluke 374	Milwaukee 2235-20
Measurement range	AC: 400 to 1000A, DC: 400 to 1000A	AC: 400 to 1000A, DC: 400 to 1000A	AC: 400A, DC: 400A
Accuracy	True-rms	True-rms	True-rms
CAT rating	IV 600V, III 1000V	III 1000V	III 600V
Display	Remote display with 4.3" color touchscreen	Handheld display	Handheld display
Features	Inrush current, min/max/avg readings, iFlex compatible	Inrush current, min/max/avg readings	None
Price	$998	$399	$142

As you can see, the Fluke 381 is the most expensive of the three meters, but it also offers the most features. The Fluke 374 is a good value for the price, and it offers all of the essential features that you would expect from a clamp meter. The Milwaukee 2235-20 is the most affordable of the three meters, but it does not offer as many features as the other two meters.

Here is a summary of the key differences between the three meters:

Fluke 381: Most expensive, but offers the most features, including a remote display with a color touchscreen, inrush current, min/max/avg readings, and iFlex compatibility.
Fluke 374: Good value for the price, offers all of the essential features that you would expect from a clamp meter.
Milwaukee 2235-20: Most affordable, does not offer as many features as the other two meters.

Ultimately, the best meter for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you need a meter with all of the bells and whistles, then the Fluke 381 is a great option. If you are looking for a more affordable meter with the essential features, then the Fluke 374 is a good choice. And if you are on a tight budget, then the Milwaukee 2235-20 is a great option.

Fluke 381 Pros/Cons and My Thought

The Fluke 381 is a digital multimeter (DMM) that is popular among electricians and other professionals who need to measure electrical current, voltage, and resistance. It is a well-made and accurate instrument, and it has a number of features that make it a good choice for a variety of applications.

Pros:

The Fluke 381 is very accurate, with a measurement accuracy of ±0.05%.
It has a wide range of measurement capabilities, including AC and DC voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, and duty cycle.
It is a very rugged instrument, and it is IP67 rated, which means that it is dustproof and water resistant.
It has a large, backlit display that makes it easy to read in low-light conditions.
It is easy to use, and it has a number of helpful features, such as a peak hold function and a data logging function.

Cons:

The Fluke 381 is a bit on the expensive side.
It is not as small and lightweight as some other DMMs on the market.
The battery life is not as long as some other DMMs.

User Reviews:

Positive:

"I've been using the Fluke 381 for a few years now, and I've been very happy with it. It's accurate, rugged, and easy to use."
"This is the best DMM I've ever owned. It's accurate, reliable, and has all the features I need."
"I'm an electrician, and I use the Fluke 381 every day. It's a great tool, and I highly recommend it."

Negative:

"The battery life isn't great, but it's not a deal-breaker."
"It's a bit on the expensive side, but I think it's worth it for the quality."
"It's not the smallest or lightest DMM on the market, but it's not too big or heavy either."

My Thoughts:

Overall, I think the Fluke 381 is a great DMM. It's accurate, rugged, and easy to use. It's a bit on the expensive side, but I think it's worth it for the quality. If you're looking for a high-quality DMM that will last for years, I would definitely recommend the Fluke 381.

Here are some additional thoughts on the Fluke 381:

The Fluke 381 is a great choice for electricians and other professionals who need a reliable and accurate DMM.
The Fluke 381 is also a good choice for DIYers who need a high-quality DMM for occasional use.
The Fluke 381 is not the cheapest DMM on the market, but it is a good value for the price.
If you are looking for a high-quality DMM that will last for years, the Fluke 381 is a great option.

Fluke 381 Where To Buy

some places where you can buy Fluke 381 and spare parts:

Direct from Fluke: You can buy the Fluke 381 directly from Fluke's website. They have a wide variety of spare parts available, and you can also order replacement parts by calling their customer service number.
Walmart: Walmart is a great place to find affordable electronics, and they often have the Fluke 381 in stock. You can also find spare parts for the Fluke 381 at Walmart, but their selection is not as extensive as Fluke's website.
Amazon: Amazon is another great place to find electronics, and they often have the Fluke 381 in stock. They also have a wide variety of spare parts available for the Fluke 381.
Best Buy: Best Buy is a good option if you want to buy the Fluke 381 in person. They often have the Fluke 381 in stock, and they also have a limited selection of spare parts available.
Lowes: Lowes is another good option if you want to buy the Fluke 381 in person. They often have the Fluke 381 in stock, but they do not have any spare parts available.
eBay: eBay is a good option if you are looking for a used Fluke 381 or spare parts. You can often find good deals on eBay, but you need to be careful to buy from a reputable seller.

I hope this helps!

Fluke 381 Problems and Solutions

some common issues and solutions for the Fluke 381 multimeter, as reported by experts:

Issue: The multimeter is not turning on. Solution:

Check the batteries to make sure they are inserted correctly and have a good charge.
If the batteries are good, try resetting the multimeter by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.
If the multimeter still does not turn on, contact Fluke customer support for assistance.

Issue: The multimeter is not displaying accurate readings. Solution:

Make sure the multimeter is properly calibrated.
Check the probes to make sure they are in good condition and are properly connected to the multimeter.
If the multimeter is still not displaying accurate readings, contact Fluke customer support for assistance.

Issue: The multimeter is giving an error message. Solution:

Refer to the multimeter's manual to see what the error message means.
If you are unable to determine the cause of the error message, contact Fluke customer support for assistance.

Issue: The multimeter is not working properly. Solution:

Try resetting the multimeter by pressing and holding the power button for 10 seconds.
If the multimeter still does not work properly, contact Fluke customer support for assistance.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting Fluke 381 multimeter problems:

Always follow the safety instructions in the multimeter's manual.
Do not use the multimeter if it is damaged.
Store the multimeter in a cool, dry place.
Clean the multimeter regularly with a soft cloth.

I hope this helps!

Fluke 381 Manual

Safety Information

Always follow basic electrical safety precautions when using the Fluke 381.
Do not use the meter in a hazardous environment, such as an area with flammable or explosive gases.
Do not use the meter if it has been damaged.
Keep the meter out of the reach of children.

Before Use

Read the entire manual before using the Fluke 381.
Make sure the meter is set to the correct measurement range for the circuit you are testing.
Do not exceed the maximum voltage rating of the meter.
Use the proper test leads for the type of measurement you are taking.

Troubleshooting

If the meter is not working properly, check the batteries.
If the batteries are good, check the connections to the meter.
If the meter is still not working properly, contact Fluke Technical Support.

Maintenance

Keep the meter clean and free of dirt and debris.
Do not expose the meter to moisture or water.
Store the meter in a cool, dry place.

Warranty

The Fluke 381 is warranted for three years from the date of purchase. For more information, please see the warranty information that came with your meter.

Contact Information

Fluke Corporation 10020 Northup Way Everett, WA 98203 Phone: 1-800-443-5853 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.fluke.com/

Additional Information

The Fluke 381 is a true-RMS meter, which means it can accurately measure AC waveforms of any shape.
The meter has a wide range of measurement functions, including voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and frequency.
The meter also has a number of advanced features, such as inrush current measurement and min/max/average recording.

I hope this manual has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please contact Fluke Technical Support.

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