The Fluke 179 True-RMS Digital Multimeter is the go-to general-purpose professional meter for field technicians, industrial maintenance engineers, and A&P mechanics who need a well-rounded instrument with built-in temperature measurement and True-RMS accuracy at 1000V. Part of Fluke's ESFP (Engineered Solutions for Professionals) series, the 179 balances measurement range, display clarity, and durability in a compact package that handles the full spectrum of electrical troubleshooting tasks without the data logging complexity of the 289 or the VFD-specific focus of the 87V.
Key Features
- True-RMS AC Voltage and Current: Measures non-sinusoidal waveforms accurately. Electronic ballasts, LED drivers, variable-speed motor drives, and UPS outputs all produce distorted waveforms that averaging meters underread by 10% to 40%. True-RMS gives the actual heating value of the current, which is what matters for wire sizing, breaker selection, and equipment protection.
- 1000V AC/DC Voltage Range: Covers the full range of industrial electrical work, 120V, 208V, 240V, 277V, 480V, and 600V distribution systems, plus industrial drives, battery banks, and high-voltage DC systems up to 1000V. Safety rating is CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V.
- Temperature Measurement with 80BK Probe: The included 80BK bead-type thermocouple probe measures from -40°C to 400°C (-40°F to 752°F), enabling motor bearing temperature checks, panel thermal surveys, and HVAC commissioning without carrying a separate temperature instrument.
- Analog Bargraph Display: The analog bargraph updates 40× faster than the digital readout, making it invaluable for observing dynamic signals, motor speed changes, voltage sag under load, and signal peak/null adjustments on electronic equipment that change too quickly for a numeric display to track.
- 6,000-Count Backlit Display: Large digits with a white backlight are clearly readable in panel interiors, conduit vaults, and poorly lit equipment rooms without needing a flashlight or work light.
- Min/Max/Average Recording: Unattended monitoring captures minimum and maximum values over a measurement session, useful during motor start cycles, load application, and other events where the technician needs both hands on the equipment rather than watching the meter.
- Auto Hold and Display Hold: Auto Hold freezes a stable reading on the display automatically, allowing measurements in confined spaces where the display isn't visible until the probe is withdrawn. Display Hold captures any reading on demand.
- AC/DC Current to 10A: Full current measurement range covers branch circuit current checks, equipment load verification, and control circuit diagnostics without a separate clamp meter on most jobs.
- Resistance to 50MΩ and Continuity: High-range resistance covers insulation spot checks, megger-level quick tests, and conductor identification. The continuity beep threshold is fast enough to distinguish resistance from short circuits in wiring harness work.
- Capacitance to 10,000µF: Covers motor run and start capacitors, filter capacitors in power supplies, and power factor correction caps, a common diagnostic point in HVAC and industrial motor maintenance.
- Manual and Automatic Ranging: Auto-ranging speeds up routine measurements; manual ranging provides range-lock for stable readings on fluctuating signals or when documenting a specific measurement range.
- CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V Safety: The highest portable instrument safety category, rated for service entrance, utility, and distribution panel measurements with the overvoltage protection required for safe industrial electrical work.
Technical Specifications Overview
The 179 delivers True-RMS AC voltage to 1000V (±1.0% accuracy) and DC voltage to 1000V at ±0.09% basic accuracy – strong DC precision for a general-purpose handheld – alongside AC/DC to 10A, resistance to 50MΩ, capacitance to 10,000µF, frequency to 100kHz, and temperature from -40°C to 400°C. With its 6,000-count display, it sits in the same tier as the 177 (which omits temperature) and above the compact 115/116 series (which tops out at 600V). Technicians who need a 1,000V range with temperature capability and don't need the data logging of the 289 or the VFD filter of the 87V find the 179 the right balance of features and cost.
Aviation & Industrial Applications
- Aircraft ground power and hangar electrical verification, voltage at GPU output connectors, bus voltage checks, and continuity on aircraft power distribution wiring
- Industrial motor and drive troubleshooting, supply voltage measurement, motor terminal voltage, and input power verification at VFD and starter panels
- Panel inspection and commissioning, voltage measurement across breakers, bus bars, and load terminals in MCC, switchgear, and distribution panels up to 1000V
- Bearing temperature monitoring, quick thermocouple checks on motor bearings, transformer cores, and panel components to spot thermal anomalies before failures
- HVAC electrical diagnostics, compressor and fan motor current, capacitor testing, and control circuit verification on commercial HVAC equipment
Fluke 179 Calibration
PJi operates an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration Lab and provides NIST-traceable calibration for the Fluke 179 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 calibration traceability requirements. For repair stations and quality-certified facilities that require documented traceability, PJi is the one-stop source: 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 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-179 |
| Manufacturer | Fluke |
| Shipping Information | |
|---|---|
| Product Weight | 1.7 lbs. |
| Product Dimensions | 9.5 x 6 x 3.3 in. |
| ECCN | 3A992 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| AC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 1000V (True-RMS) |
| AC/DC Current Range | 0.01mA to 10A |
| Analog Bargraph | Yes |
| Auto/Manual Ranging | Yes |
| Battery | 9V (installed) |
| Capacitance Range | 1nF to 10,000µF |
| Continuity | Yes (audible) |
| DC Voltage Range | 0.1mV to 1000V |
| Diode Test | Yes |
| Display | 6,000 count with backlight and analog bargraph |
| Display Hold / Auto Hold | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 5Hz to 100kHz |
| Included Accessories | 80BK temperature probe, TL75 test leads, holster, 9V battery |
| Min/Max/Average | Yes |
| Model Number | 179 (PJi SKU: Fluke-179) |
| Product Type | True-RMS Digital Multimeter |
| Resistance Range | 0.1Ω to 50MΩ |
| Safety Rating | CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to 400°C with included 80BK K-type probe |
| 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 179 carries a lifetime limited warranty from Fluke covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. That puts it in the same warranty tier as the Fluke 87V and 287 and a step above the 3-year warranties on the 117 and the Fluke Connect models. Calibration is separate from warranty coverage, and PJi can provide NIST-traceable ISO/IEC 17025 calibration at the time of purchase or any time thereafter.
The Fluke 179 runs on a single 9 V alkaline battery (IEC 6LR61), widely available at any hardware store, FBO supply room, or maintenance crib. Typical battery life is approximately 200 hours of use without the backlight engaged – enough runtime to cover months of daily troubleshooting between battery swaps. Battery replacement is straightforward through a rear access door.
Yes – the Fluke 179 measures frequency up to 100 kHz with ±0.1% accuracy, which comfortably covers 50 Hz and 60 Hz utility power, 400 Hz aircraft AC systems, and audio-frequency signals. The frequency function is useful for verifying GPU output frequency, checking variable-speed drive output, and confirming proper operation of any AC system where frequency stability is part of the spec.
The Fluke 179 is rated for operation from 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C) with storage from -30°C to 60°C. That window covers hangar, FBO, and outdoor ramp work across most North American climates, though extreme winter ramp conditions in the coldest regions may push the meter outside its operating envelope. For subzero-Fahrenheit work, the Fluke 87V's wider operating range is the better match.
The Fluke 179 measures 185 x 90 x 43 mm and weighs 420 g – compact enough to fit into a standard tool pouch but sized for proper one-handed operation in panel interiors. The form factor strikes a balance between the smaller compact field meters (Fluke 115/117) and the larger industrial logging instruments (Fluke 287/289), making it a comfortable everyday-carry choice for most maintenance technicians.
The Fluke 179 ships with the 80BK bead-type K-type thermocouple, which measures from -40°C to 260°C with ±2.2 °C accuracy on the probe itself (the meter electronics support readings up to 400°C with a suitable probe). The bead tip makes contact-temperature measurements quickly without needing surface preparation, so it's well-suited for spot-checking motor bearings, transformer windings, panel components, HVAC ducts, and electronic enclosures.
The Fluke 179 is UL listed, CSA certified, and TÜV listed in addition to its CAT IV 600 V / CAT III 1000 V safety rating. That combination of agency approvals satisfies the safety requirements of most North American and European workplace environments and shop quality programs – including FAA Part 145 repair stations, ISO 9001 quality systems, and AS9100 traceability requirements when paired with PJi's ISO/IEC 17025 calibration documentation.
The Fluke 177 is functionally identical to the 179 in voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and frequency measurement – same 6,000-count display, same True-RMS performance, same CAT IV 600 V / CAT III 1000 V rating. The key difference is temperature measurement: the 179 includes the 80BK thermocouple input and probe, while the 177 omits temperature. If you need built-in temperature capability without carrying a separate instrument, the 179 is the right pick.
The Fluke 179 is a strong general-purpose field meter and handles routine avionics bench tasks like voltage verification, supply checks, continuity testing, and basic component measurement. For precision avionics work where 0.025% DC accuracy, dBV/dBm measurement, and 100 kHz AC bandwidth matter, the Fluke 287 is the better instrument. Many avionics shops keep a 179 in every tool kit for general use and reserve the 287 or 87V for bench-precision work.
The Fluke 179 ships with the meter itself, the 80BK bead-type thermocouple probe, a standard test lead set, a 9V alkaline battery (installed), and the user documentation. PJi can bundle commonly requested add-ons – a TPAK magnetic hanger, a soft carrying case, alligator clips for hands-free work, and NIST-traceable ISO/IEC 17025 calibration – with the meter in a single order.
