Atec Fluke-2638A User Manual
Fluke 2638A
Hydra Series III
Data Acquisition System/
Digital Multimeter
Price-performance breakthrough in a stand-alone
data acquisition system
The Fluke Hydra Series III continues the
Hydra Series legacy of precision, multichannel data acquisition. The new Series
III improves on Hydra’s industry-leading
thermocouple accuracy and adds a new
dimension to how you collect and view data
in a portable system.
DC measurement accuracy of 0.0024 %, basic 0.5 °C thermocouple accuracy, full-color display, easy-to-use menu system
and industrial safety ratings put the 2638A in a category of its
own as a precision data acquisition system. The dedicated 6.5
digit digital multimeter (DMM) mode provides additional utility
and value.
The 2638A is expandable from 22 to 66 channels of differential analog inputs. A flexible, 22-channel Universal Input
Connector lets you connect and disconnect any type of input to
any channel, quickly and easily. Selectable inputs include dc
voltage, ac voltage, resistance, thermocouple, RTD, thermistor,
frequency and dc and ac current. You can also use the 2638A
with optional software and other Fluke data loggers to create
a flexible, customized data acquisition system with an almost
unlimited number of input channels.
Technical Data
2638A Hydra Series III features
at a glance
• DC accuracy of 0.0024 %
• Thermocouple accuracy of 0.5 °C
• Up to 66 universal differential isolated
inputs
• On-screen color trend graphing and
analysis
• Easy-to-use menu system for setup and
data management
• Input types: ac V, dc V, ac I, dc I, thermocouple, PRT (2, 3, 4 w), thermistor,
resistance (2-4 w), frequency
• Multi-channel real-time data display
• 6.5-digit bench DMM function for front-
panel inputs
• Monitor function for real-time viewing
and charting between scans
• 20 on-board math channels
• One-button screen capture of chart or
data displays
• 45 channels/second basic dc scan rate
• Internal 57,000 scan/setup file memory
• USB flash drive support
• Data security features
• CAT II 300 V input safety rated
Standard DMM style inputs—
for DMM channel with automatic
resetting overcurrent protection
Back-lit main function keys—always
lets you know your operating mode
and confirms recording status
Memory management for downloading
and moving data and setup folders
Dedicated DMM function with graphing and statistics
Five function keys support faster setup and operation
Stand by button pauses operations without losing accuracy
or data
Three slots hold
relay cards and
input modules;
22 channels
each slot
Navigation keys
for fast, easy
selection
of information
USB support for easy
transfer of data and
setup files
Accurate industrial thermocouple measurements
The 2638A incorporates the Fluke patented Universal
Input Connector to bring more accuracy to thermocouple measurements than most other instruments in
its class. The Universal Input Connector supports 14
common thermocouple types. Temperature-focused
menu selections make the 2638A especially suitable
for temperature validation applications. If you need to
“zero” a large number of thermocouples to a known
Power and fuse
selection for 100 V,
120 V, 220 V, 240 V
Power switch
USB (virtual
serial port)
LAN 10/100
Blank panels
for unused
card bays
Totalizer, DIO, alarm outputs,
external trigger port
reference temperature before starting a temperature
profiling or validation test, the 2638A will normalize
all readings to your reference channel at the push of a
button and store the offsets for reference in a supporting data file. If you are conducting chamber tests,
heat treating tests under AMS guidelines, or validating
temperature devices under 21 CFR regulations, Hydra
Series III makes it that much easier to comply.
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Clear top case with embedded channel numbers for easy
wiring identification
Dedicated low burden ac/dc
current channels
Electronic ID with serial
number and calibration date
reports to the 2638A
Strain reliefs
to help
secure wiring
connections
Universal Input Connector
The Universal Input Connector
plugs into any open slot in the
2638A that contains a relay card.
The Universal Input Connector has
22 input channels (20 universal
inputs and 2 dedicated, low-burden
input current channels). Each input
connector contains a CJC (coldjunction compensation) device,
which is calibrated at the factory.
The calibration date and input connector serial number are programed
into the input connector and are
read by the 2638A when installed.
This information is saved in the test
setup data file, which is available
for review with any associated scan
data from a test setup. This feature
is a valuable form of traceability
if you are working in a regulated
industry.
Wiring a test or system setup
for 20 to 60 or more channels
can be time consuming. With the
inexpensive plug-in Universal
Input Connector, you can wire your
system once, quickly disconnect the
connector from your Hydra, then
reconnect the Hydra to another
input connector for use in a different area.
20 universal channels
and two dedicated low
burden current channels
(ac/dc) per module
Other data loggers require you
to wire your inputs directly to an
expensive “plug-in” active component signal conditioning module.
If you need your instrument for
another test at another location,
you must remove your wiring or
use another expensive plug-in
signal conditioning module. With
Hydra Series III, all your signal
conditioning is inside the mainframe, not in your input connector.
Using multiple low-cost Universal Input Connectors gives you the
flexibility to leave your input connector at the test site, completely
wired, and ready to use. When you
need data from that site, simply
“plug in” and load your saved setup
file. It’s that simple!
Expandable channel capacity
Each 2638A has three slots in
the rear panel. Each slot can hold
a user accessible relay card and
a 22-channel Universal Input
Connector.
Three configurations are available, from 22 channels to 66
channels per mainframe. Select a
base model with 22 channels and
add 22-channel expansion kits
when needed. The low cost per
channel makes a 2638A a good
value for any budget.
Graphical color display with
easy-to-use menus
Never get lost again in a complex
menu tree while configuring channels or setting up a test. The large,
full color, thin film diode (TFD)
display enables the Hydra SeriesIII
to display comprehensive easy-tounderstand data and easy menu
navigation.
Back-lighted function keys quickly
confirm the active menu selection.
The “Record” key illuminates to
indicate when the 2638A is recording
data in scan, monitor or DMM mode.
You always have visible confirmation
when your data is being recorded.
Copy-and-paste channel functions make repetitive channel setups
a simple task. Top-of-screen menu
bar headings always let you know
where you are in the setup process.
View your data with the push
of a button. Page through all channel data and alarms in a quick view
mode or scroll through channels and
channel statistics individually. Statistics include rate of change, min, max,
standard deviation, average, sample
size and peak-to-peak information.
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Dedicated DMM functions.Real-time data charting with historical review.
Real-time data charting with
historical review
Chart the real-time data of up
to four channels at once. Simply
select your channels and view real
time charts of your measurements.
The chart will auto scale for best
fit of the displayed values. Zoom
in or out to view areas of interest with the push of a button. A
history mode enables you to scroll
through previously collected data
within the scan file…all without a PC and expensive charting
programs.
Language support
All displayed text in the menus
and data display area are translated to eight languages. You can
change the language under the
instrument setup area with the
push of a button. French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Korean,
English, Portuguese, Chinese and
Russian are all supported languages in the 2638A.
Screen capture function
With one key push on the front
panel, you can capture the screen
contents of the 2638A directly to
the USB drive in .jpg file format.
Capture trend chart results or
data displays for reports or just
closer rev iew.
Two alarms per channel
Each channel can be set for two
alarm points: High-High, High-Low
or Low-Low, in any combination.
The 2638A then compares the set
points during each scan. An outof-range value is reported on the
main display and data files. You
can also assign any alarm point to
any of six TTL alarm outputs.
Math channels
Each channel measurement can
be set to scale and record your
measurement using mx+b gain
and offset calculations that are
available during your channel
setup menu. In addition, each
2638A mainframe has 20 internal
math channels with alarm settings for more complex calculations
that record results to your data file
during each scan. Each channel
result can be used as a variable in
another math channel calculation.
DMM mode adds
functionality and value
The Hydra Series III is based on a
6.5 digit (22-bit) precision digital
multimeter measurement engine
with exceptional measurement
quality and resolution—so when
you are not using your Hydra to
collect multi-channel data, you can
use it as a precision digital multimeter. Front-panel “DMM-style”
input jacks and dedicated DMM
menu selections enable you to
measure dc voltage, dc resistance,
ac voltage, ac resistance, Ohms,
frequency, and temperature (thermocouples, RTDs and thermistors).
Record DMM measurements to a
separate DMM data file for later
viewing. The 2638A also displays
measurement statistics and graphs
measurements right on the main
display.
USB and internal memory
The Hydra Series III features 20mb
on-board memory for storing over
57,000 data records and configuration files. In addition to this
large on-board memory, a built-in
USB port is available to collect
and store large files directly to a
USB flash drive. An on-board file
management menu makes moving
data files or configuration files
from internal or USB memory to
your PC easy.
4 Fluke Corporation Fluke 2638A Hydra Series III Data Acquisition System/Digital Multimeter
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