Fluke 1587 True-RMS Wireless Insulation Multimeter - Fluke-1587-FC
The Fluke 1587 FC 2-in-1 Insulation Resistance Tester and True-RMS Multimeter is the most widely specified insulation testing instrument in aviation maintenance programs, combining the full capability of a dedicated megohmmeter (five selectable test voltages, PI and DAR testing, resistance to 2,000MΩ) with the complete functions of a True-RMS professional multimeter in a single instrument. For A&P mechanics and MRO technicians who conduct insulation testing as part of FAA maintenance procedures, the 1587 FC eliminates the need to carry two instruments and provides Fluke Connect wireless connectivity for data transmission and remote collaboration on complex electrical diagnostics.
Key Features
- Five Selectable Test Voltages (50, 100, 250, 500, 1000V DC): The 1587 FC covers the full range of insulation testing voltages required by aviation and industrial maintenance procedures. 50V and 100V test cables and small motors with lower-voltage insulation ratings. 250V is the standard test voltage for most general wiring insulation checks. 500V is the most common standard for motor winding insulation testing per NEMA MG-1 and IEC 60034. 1000V tests heavier-duty equipment, large motors, transformers, switchgear, where higher test stress is specified by the manufacturer or maintenance procedure. The ability to select the exact test voltage required by the maintenance manual is critical for both test validity and equipment safety.
- Insulation Resistance to 2,000MΩ: The measurement range from 0.01MΩ through 2,000MΩ covers the full spectrum from near-failed insulation (low MΩ) to recently commissioned new equipment (high GΩ range approaching the 2,000MΩ upper limit). Aviation maintenance procedures typically specify minimum insulation resistance values in the hundreds of MΩ to GΩ range for new or recently overhauled equipment.
- Polarization Index (PI) Testing: PI testing measures the ratio of the insulation resistance at 10 minutes to the resistance at 1 minute during a sustained voltage application. A PI ratio greater than 2.0 generally indicates clean, dry insulation; a ratio below 1.0 indicates contaminated or thermally damaged insulation. PI testing is specified in IEEE Std 43 and in many aircraft and aviation equipment maintenance manuals as the definitive test for motor winding insulation condition.
- Dielectric Absorption Ratio (DAR) Testing: DAR is a shorter-duration version of the polarization index test, measuring the resistance ratio at 60 seconds vs. 30 seconds. DAR provides a faster indication of insulation moisture contamination than a full PI test, making it useful for quick field assessments during maintenance checks when a 10-minute PI test is impractical.
- True-RMS Multimeter Functions, All Built In: Beyond insulation testing, the 1587 FC measures AC/DC voltage to 1000V (True-RMS), AC/DC current to 400mA, resistance to 40MΩ, continuity, capacitance, and frequency. The combined instrument eliminates the need to put down the megohmmeter and pick up a multimeter to verify supply voltage, measure winding resistance, or check continuity, all diagnostic steps that occur in the same maintenance task.
- Fluke Connect Wireless Compatibility: The 1587 FC transmits measurement data via Bluetooth to the Fluke Connect mobile app for remote monitoring, cloud data storage, and ShareLive real-time collaboration with remote engineering experts. For complex motor and cable insulation diagnostics that benefit from remote technical consultation, the 1587 FC enables the field technician to share live data with engineering without waiting for a lab upload.
- CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V Safety Rating: The maximum safety rating for portable instruments, appropriate for direct connection to motor terminals, cable shields, and distribution system conductors in industrial and aviation environments.
- Test Guard Function: The Guard terminal on the 1587 FC allows surface leakage current to be diverted away from the measurement circuit during insulation testing, critical for accurate insulation resistance measurement on equipment with contaminated surfaces where surface leakage would otherwise reduce apparent insulation resistance readings below the true volume resistance of the insulation.
- Comparative Testing and Trending: The 1587 FC's storage and comparison capability allows trending of insulation resistance values over time, essential for predictive maintenance programs where the trend of degrading resistance over inspection intervals is more diagnostic than any single point measurement.
Technical Specifications Overview
The 1587 FC tests insulation resistance from 0.01MΩ to 2,000MΩ at five DC test voltages (50, 100, 250, 500, 1000V) with ±5% accuracy. As a multimeter it measures AC/DC voltage to 1000V (True-RMS, ±0.5% accuracy), AC/DC current to 400mA, resistance to 40MΩ, and frequency. The combination instrument eliminates the separate megohmmeter and multimeter on insulation testing jobs. The wireless model (1587 FC) supports Fluke Connect; the base 1587 model does not. Both carry CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V safety ratings.
Aviation & Insulation Testing Applications
- Aircraft motor winding insulation verification, flap actuators, hydraulic pump motors, environmental control blowers, and landing gear actuators all require periodic insulation resistance testing per aircraft maintenance manuals
- Aircraft wiring harness insulation checks, spot-check insulation resistance on wiring harnesses removed for inspection, confirming insulation integrity before reinstallation
- Engine and APU generator winding testing, PI and DAR testing on aircraft generator windings per manufacturer maintenance procedures before return to service
- Industrial motor preventive maintenance programs, periodic insulation resistance trending on critical production motors, with PI testing confirming insulation condition before annual shutdowns
- Cable system commissioning and post-fault verification, insulation resistance testing on motor feeders, power cables, and conduit runs after installation or fault repair
- FAA maintenance documentation, insulation test results recorded via Fluke Connect for maintenance log entries and airworthiness release documentation
Fluke 1587 FC Calibration
PJi operates an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab and provides NIST-traceable calibration for the Fluke 1587 FC at the time of purchase, add calibration to your order at checkout. Our calibration documentation satisfies FAA Part 145 tool control requirements, ISO 9001 quality system records, and AS9100 traceability requirements. PJi is the one-stop source: the instrument and the calibration certificate in a single transaction. Calibration-only companies (Custom-Cal, Fox Valley Metrology, ATS) cannot sell you the instrument. Amazon and Grainger cannot calibrate it. PJi does both.
Why Buy from Pilot John International
Pilot John International is an authorized Fluke distributor with specialized expertise serving aviation maintenance, FAA Part 145 repair stations, and industrial MRO facilities. Unlike Amazon, Grainger, or Test Equipment Depot, which sell Fluke instruments but offer zero calibration services, PJi's in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab calibrates your instrument at 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.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Part # | Fluke-1587-FC |
| Manufacturer | Fluke |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| AC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 1000V (True-RMS) |
| AC/DC Current Range | 0.001mA to 400mA |
| Capacitance | Yes |
| Continuity | Yes (audible) |
| DAR Testing | Yes (60-second / 30-second ratio) |
| DC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 1000V |
| Fluke Connect | Yes (wireless Bluetooth) |
| Frequency | Yes |
| Guard Terminal | Yes (surface leakage elimination) |
| Included Accessories | Test leads, alligator clips, guard terminal lead |
| Insulation Resistance Accuracy | ±5% of reading |
| Insulation Resistance Range | 0.01MΩ to 2,000MΩ |
| Model Number | 1587 FC (PJi SKUs: Fluke-1587-FC) |
| PI Testing | Yes (10-minute / 1-minute ratio) |
| Product Type | 2-in-1 Insulation Resistance Tester and True-RMS Multimeter |
| Resistance Range | 0.1Ω to 40MΩ |
| Safety Rating | CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V |
| Test Voltages | 50V, 100V, 250V, 500V, 1000V DC (selectable) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
AIRCRAFT COMPATIBILITY
| Compatible Aircraft* |
|---|
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The Fluke 1587 FC runs on four AA alkaline batteries (IEC LR6) – readily available at any hardware store, FBO supply room, or maintenance crib. In standard multimeter mode, fresh alkalines deliver roughly 1,000 hours of runtime; in insulation-test mode, the meter can complete at least 1,000 standard 1,000 V tests into a 1 MΩ load with a 5-second-on / 25-second-off duty cycle. That's enough capacity to cover months of routine motor-winding and harness checks before a battery swap.
Yes – the Fluke 1587 FC carries a 3-year limited warranty from Fluke covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. As with any precision insulation tester, the warranty is separate from calibration: PJi can provide NIST-traceable ISO/IEC 17025 calibration at the time of purchase to meet FAA Part 145, ISO 9001, and AS9100 documentation requirements.
The "FC" designation indicates Fluke Connect compatibility – the wireless 1587 FC transmits measurement data via Bluetooth to the Fluke Connect mobile app for remote monitoring, ShareLive collaboration with engineers, and cloud-based test history. The base 1587 model offers the same five-voltage insulation testing and True-RMS multimeter functions but does not support wireless data transmission. For documented preventative maintenance programs where trending and remote collaboration matter, the FC model is the better fit.
The Fluke 1587 FC's live-circuit detection inhibits the insulation test if it senses more than 30V on the test terminals before the test starts – a critical safety guardrail when working on motors and feeders that the technician believes have been de-energized. The meter also includes an automatic capacitive-load discharge function (under 0.5 seconds for loads up to 1 µF) after the test, eliminating residual voltage on cable runs and large motor windings before the leads are touched.
Yes – the 1587 FC includes a built-in low-pass filter specifically designed for variable-frequency motor drive measurements. The filter blocks the high-frequency PWM carrier signals that cause standard True-RMS meters to read 20–30% high at VFD output terminals, giving you accurate fundamental voltage and frequency values for motor diagnostics. That capability matters for modern aviation ground support equipment, hangar HVAC drives, and any motor system fed by a variable-speed inverter.
The Fluke 1587 FC ships with the meter itself, a remote probe with a trigger for hands-off testing, a standard test lead set, a pair of alligator clips, a K-type thermocouple, a soft case, and user documentation. The remote probe is the standout accessory – it lets the technician initiate insulation tests from a fixed contact point without holding the meter, which is especially useful on high-voltage feeders and motors where keeping distance from the test circuit is a safety best practice.
Yes – using the included K-type thermocouple, the 1587 FC measures temperature from -40°F to 998°F (-40°C to 537°C) with ±1% accuracy. Temperature data supports thermal-baseline trending alongside insulation resistance measurements, and the Fluke Connect app can apply temperature compensation to insulation readings – normalizing results to a reference temperature for more meaningful trending over time.
Fluke recommends annual calibration for users subject to audits – FAA Part 145 repair stations, ISO 9001 quality systems, AS9100 shops, and any environment where instrument traceability is a regulatory requirement. For shops not under audit, a biennial recalibration is acceptable. PJi's in-house ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab handles 1587 FC calibration with NIST-traceable documentation, either at the time of purchase or whenever your unit comes due.
The remote probe included with the Fluke 1587 FC has a built-in trigger that lets the technician initiate an insulation test from a fixed contact point without holding the meter. For aircraft and GSE work, that means you can position the probe on a hard-to-reach terminal – deep inside a motor junction box, behind a panel, under a wing – and step back before triggering the test, while the meter sits in a convenient location handling the lead-side connection. It's the difference between a one-person test and an awkward two-person workaround.
Every measurement the 1587 FC takes can be saved to the Fluke Connect app with a timestamp, equipment tag, and asset ID, then exported as a report or pushed to the cloud for retention. That eliminates handwritten log entries, reduces transcription errors, and provides a defensible audit trail for tool-control and maintenance-record requirements. For Part 145 repair stations and AS9100 shops, the wireless logging workflow turns insulation testing into a paperless, traceable process from probe touch to maintenance release.
