Fluke 117 True-RMS Electrician Multimeter - Fluke-117
The Fluke 117 True-RMS Digital Multimeter is engineered specifically for commercial and residential electricians who need fast, safe voltage verification as much as they need precise measurement. Its built-in non-contact VoltAlert voltage detection allows electricians to check whether a conductor is live before touching it, without plugging in test leads. Combined with the AutoVolt automatic AC/DC voltage selection and a Low-Input Impedance (LoZ) mode that eliminates ghost voltage false readings in multi-wire panel installations, the Fluke 117 addresses the three most common electrician frustrations: unexpected live conductors, fumbling with mode switches, and phantom voltage readings that waste diagnostic time.
Key Features
- VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Detection: The integrated voltage detector glows red and the meter beeps when the probe tip is held near a live conductor through insulation, no test lead connection required. Electricians can quickly scan a panel, junction box, or conduit run to identify live wires before any tool contact, reducing arc flash and shock exposure significantly.
- AutoVolt Automatic AC/DC Selection: The 117 automatically selects AC or DC voltage mode when the test leads are connected, eliminating the mode-switch step that causes incorrect readings when technicians forget to switch modes between measurements. Particularly valuable on systems with mixed AC/DC circuits such as telecom power rooms and UPS installations.
- Low-Input Impedance (LoZ) Mode, Ghost Voltage Elimination: Long parallel cable runs, capacitive coupling between conductors, and adjacent wiring in commercial panels create induced voltages that read as 20-120V on standard high-impedance meters even when circuits are de-energized. The 117's LoZ mode presents a low impedance to the circuit, draining capacitively coupled ghost voltages and confirming true de-energization, essential for LOTO verification in multi-circuit commercial panels.
- True-RMS for Non-Linear Loads: Modern LED lighting, electronic ballasts, variable speed fan drives, and dimmer-controlled loads create non-sinusoidal current waveforms. True-RMS measurement produces accurate readings on these loads; averaging meters read 5-40% low depending on the waveform, leading to undersized circuit protection and inaccurate load calculations.
- Compact Form Factor for Electrician Work: The 117 is sized and balanced for one-handed operation in panel interiors where space is limited. Its slim profile fits between breakers, its rounded corners avoid snagging on cable bundles, and the large display digits are readable at arm's length in panel illumination.
- Voltage to 600V, Full Electrician Range: Commercial and residential electrical work rarely exceeds 480V three-phase. The 117's 600V rating covers the full range of electrician applications including 120V, 208V, 240V, 277V, and 480V systems without the larger and more expensive CAT III 1000V instruments required for industrial applications.
- AC Current to 10A, DC Current to 600mA: Current measurement via test leads covers branch circuit current verification, lighting load measurement, and control circuit current checks without the need for a separate clamp meter on typical electrician jobs.
- Min/Max/Average Recording: Captures voltage sags and swells during load changes, motor starts, and other transient events without requiring the technician to watch the meter continuously. Documents power quality issues for billing and warranty claim support.
- CAT III 600V Safety Rating: Rated for distribution-level measurements in panel boards, feeder circuits, and motor control centers at up to 600V, the standard requirement for commercial electrician work.
Technical Specifications Overview
The Fluke 117 measures AC voltage to 600V (True-RMS, 0.5% accuracy), DC voltage to 600V (0.5%), AC current to 10A, DC current to 600mA, resistance to 40MΩ, capacitance to 10,000µF, frequency, and continuity. The 6,000-count display updates at 4 times per second in normal mode with analog bargraph available. It is positioned between the 115 (field service compact meter) and the 179 (industrial True-RMS with temperature and higher voltage rating). For electricians who need non-contact voltage detection and LoZ mode, the 117 is the correct choice over both adjacent models.
Electrical Contracting & Commercial Applications
- Panel installation and circuit verification, voltage measurement at breakers, bus bars, and load terminals combined with VoltAlert scanning to identify live conductors before contact
- LOTO verification in multi-circuit panels, LoZ mode confirms actual de-energization vs. ghost voltages from capacitive coupling between adjacent conductors
- LED and electronic ballast lighting systems, True-RMS accuracy on non-sinusoidal load currents from switching power supplies and electronic ballast circuits
- Residential service upgrades and troubleshooting, compact size and AutoVolt switching speed efficient panel troubleshooting without mode-switching delays
- Commercial HVAC control circuit verification, 24V/120V control circuit measurement, contactors, relays, and thermostat circuits
Fluke 117 Calibration
PJi operates an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab and can provide NIST-traceable calibration for the Fluke 117 at the time of purchase, simply add calibration to your order at checkout. Our calibration documentation satisfies FAA Part 145 tool control requirements, ISO 9001 quality system documentation, and AS9100 calibration records. For repair stations, MRO facilities, and quality-certified shops that require documented traceability, PJi is the one-stop source: you get the instrument and the calibration certificate in a single transaction. Calibration-only companies cannot sell you the instrument. Major retailers cannot calibrate it. PJi does both.
Why Buy from Pilot John International
Pilot John International is an authorized Fluke distributor with more than 20 years of specialized experience serving aviation maintenance, MRO facilities, and FAA Part 145 repair stations. Unlike Amazon, Grainger, or Test Equipment Depot, which sell Fluke instruments but offer zero calibration services, PJi operates an in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab that can calibrate your instrument at the time of purchase. We stock the full Fluke catalog, ship same-business-day on in-stock items, and our technical staff understands the demands of aviation and industrial electrical maintenance firsthand.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Part # | Fluke-117 |
| Manufacturer | Fluke |
| Shipping Information | |
|---|---|
| Product Weight | 1.5 lbs. |
| Product Dimensions | 11 x 7 x 4 in. |
| Schedule B | 9030310000 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| AC Current Range | 0.01mA to 10A |
| AC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 600V (True-RMS) |
| AutoVolt (Auto AC/DC) | Yes |
| Battery Type | 9V (NEDA 1604) |
| Capacitance Range | 1nF to 10,000µF |
| Continuity | Yes (audible beep) |
| DC Current Range | 0.1µA to 600mA |
| DC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 600V |
| Diode Test | Yes |
| Display | 6,000 count with backlight and analog bargraph |
| Frequency Range | 50Hz to 500Hz |
| Included Accessories | TL75 test leads, 9V battery, holster |
| Low-Impedance Mode (LoZ) | Yes — ghost voltage elimination |
| Min/Max/Average | Yes |
| Model Number | 117 (PJi SKU: Fluke-117) |
| Non-Contact Voltage | Yes — VoltAlert integrated |
| Product Type | True-RMS Digital Multimeter — Electrician's |
| Resistance Range | 0.1Ω to 40MΩ |
| Safety Rating | CAT III 600V |
| True-RMS | Yes |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
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AIRCRAFT COMPATIBILITY
This item is for use on all aircraft.
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
This unit is factory-calibrated and includes a general statement confirming its calibration. However, a detailed calibration certificate is not provided with the purchase. If you require a specific calibration certificate, it can be obtained for an additional cost.
The Fluke 117 is purpose-built for electricians working in commercial and residential systems up to 600V, while the Fluke 87V is engineered for industrial and avionics troubleshooting up to 1000V with significantly higher accuracy (0.05% DC vs. 0.5%) and a VFD-specific low-pass filter.
For FBO and hangar facility wiring, lighting circuits, and 120V/208V/240V/277V/480V building systems, the 117 is the better fit; for avionics bench work, VFD-driven GSE, and precision MRO measurements, the 87V is the right tool.
Yes – the Fluke 117 includes a bright backlight that makes the display readable inside panel boxes, in hangar corners away from overhead lighting, and during early-morning or night-shift work. The backlight runs off the same 9 V battery and does not meaningfully shorten typical battery life, so electricians can leave it on whenever ambient lighting is poor.
The Fluke 117 runs on a single 9V alkaline battery (IEC 6LR61) and delivers approximately 400 hours of typical use without the backlight engaged. That is enough runtime to cover months of daily electrician work between battery changes, and the battery type is widely stocked at any hardware store, facility maintenance crib, or FBO supply room.
Yes – the 117's A-input fuse is user-replaceable. It is an 11A, 1000V fast-blow fuse (Fluke P/N 803293) accessible behind the battery cover. Field replaceability matters because a blown fuse from an overcurrent event shouldn't sideline the meter for days while it ships back to a service center. Keep a spare fuse in your tool kit and you are back in service in minutes.
The Fluke 117 carries a 3-year limited warranty from Fluke covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. That is a notable step up from the 1-year warranties common on lower-tier multimeters and reflects the build quality electricians expect from the Fluke brand. Calibration is separate from the warranty, and PJi can perform NIST-traceable calibration at the time of purchase or later in the meter's service life.
The Fluke 117 measures frequency from 5 Hz to 50 kHz on AC voltage inputs and 45 Hz to 5 kHz on AC current, which covers standard 60 Hz utility power, 50 Hz international building power, and 400 Hz aircraft AC systems for basic verification. For high-precision aircraft 400 Hz testing or VFD-driven systems where carrier frequencies and harmonics are in play, a higher-spec meter such as the Fluke 87V is the better choice.
The 117's continuity tone activates below 20 Ω and turns off above 250 Ω, and it can detect opens or shorts as brief as 500 microseconds – fast enough to catch intermittent connector faults that a slower meter would miss entirely. The audible feedback lets the technician trace a circuit without glancing at the display, which speeds up troubleshooting on long cable runs and overhead conduit pulls.
Standard capacitance measurement (up to 9,999 µF) is intended for component testing – motor run capacitors, filter capacitors, and discrete components on control boards. LoZ capacitance mode applies a low input impedance during the measurement over a 1 nF to 500 µF range, which helps evaluate cabling and small-value capacitors in environments where stray voltages would otherwise skew the reading.
For facility-side work – hangar lighting circuits, shop receptacle troubleshooting, office HVAC controls, fuel-pump motor circuits, and ground support electrical maintenance – the Fluke 117 hits the right balance of speed, safety, and accuracy. It is not intended for avionics bench testing or VFD-driven motor drives (where the Fluke 87V or a specialty meter wins) – but for everyday facility electrical work, it covers the full range of tasks an FBO or hangar electrician sees.
The Fluke 117 ships with the meter, a removable protective holster, a pair of 4 mm silicone test leads, and the user manual. Common add-ons electricians order alongside it include an alligator clip set for hands-free measurements, a magnetic hanger for panel-side viewing, a TPAK ToolPak accessory for hands-free mounting, and a spare 11A fuse.
