Fluke 414D, 419D, 424D Service Guide

101 applications for

laser distance meters

What would you do if you had a laser
distance meter to measure distance
instead of a regular measuring tape
or wheel?

The Fluke 424D, 419D and 414D laser distance
meters measure distance to a target up to 100 m
(330 ft) away using the unit’s laser spot, and can do
a quick calculation of area (square feet/meters) and
volume. Accuracy is up to ± 1.0 mm.

Fluke asked users for ideas on how to use a laser
distance meter, and got back quite a few. We’ve
collected 101 of the best.

Application Note

Facilities: Layout

1. Provide accurate estimates

for bidding out work (HVAC,
electrical, cable, main­tenance). Measure distances,
area, and/or volume.

2. Measure height or width of

buildings
by triangulation if needed.

3. Verify CAD drawings for as-

builts and design drawings.

4. Determine how square a

room or object really is, or
whether the sides are com­pletely parallel.

Fluke 414D, 419D and 424D Laser Distance Meters.

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and other objects,

5. Lay out parking lots.

6. Verify that new construction

satisfies usage requirements.

7. Determine footprint of equip­ment or office cubicles to be
installed, to aid in layout.

8. Create as-built building
dimensions where no blue­prints are provided.

9. Calculate total internal floor
space/volume of a room or
building.

10. Measure distances over areas
where obstacles in the way
disallow the use of measur­ing tapes or wheels.

Measuring hard to reach areas.

Measuring long distances.

Facilities: Cranes

11. Measure distances on roof1
to quote on crane lift
needed for rooftop equip­ment replacement.

12. Measure ceiling height to
determine equipment needed
for access.

13. Quickly calculate length of
wire rope needed for cranes.

14. Set up collision detection for
cranes without pulling tape
and using two people and
two aerial lifts.

15. Measure spans on runways
for cranes.

1

Laser measurement
outdoors can be
compromised by
direct sunlight.

From the Fluke Digital Library @ www.fluke.com/library

Facilities: Safety

16. Measure distances (includ­ing ceiling heights) to install
emergency lighting, sprin­klers, and fire extinguishers
to code.

17. Determine accurate room
dimensions to ensure correct
chemical concentration for
Clean Agent Fire Suppression
system.

18. Measure distances from
machines for safety equip­ment (fire extinguishers, fire
blankets, etc.).

19. Measure water levels in fire
suppression tanks.

32. Measure distances of under­ground cable
landmarks or obstacles/
known hazards.

33. When locating underground
cable with a transmitter/sen­sor tool combo, trace down
cable and shoot back with
distance meter.

34. Locate underground cable
faults
method. Tell the exact dis­tance of fault from starting
point without tape measure
or trundle wheel.

Electrical: Ceiling/Floor

35. Measure distances to objects

Facilities: Other

20. Use in setting up floor sup­ports in large communication
rooms.

21. Measure room dimensions to
calculate how much paint is
needed.

22. Measure room dimensions
to calculate how much floor
covering is needed.

23. Measure height for appropri­ate ladder selection.

24. Document location of stand­ing water or leaks found
with a thermal (IR) imager or
infrared thermometer.

within hard-to-reach drop
ceilings to determine over­head cable runs, line of sight.

36. Measure ceiling height and
square feet/meters to deter­mine rod lengths for drop
ceiling installation and light­ing fixtures.

37. Measure distance under
subfloors or structures for
networking or other cable
installations.

Electrical: Safety

38. Measure distances from
power system devices (trans­formers, etc.) for electrical

Electrical: Cable

25. Measure distances for linear
length of wire or cable runs.

26. Measure distances for linear
feet/meters of conduit
needed for new installations.

27. Measure height of high volt­age lines to meet clearance
requirements.

28. Calculate total length needed
in setting up wire assemblies
and harnesses.

29. Measure distances to calcu­late voltage drops (in power
supply).

30. Measure depth, distance of
underground conduit.

31. Determine length of wire

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safety/arc flash protection
and power studies.

Electrical: Other

39. Measure disconnect place­ment for spas and pools.

40. Measure distances between
electrical service poles.

41. Ascertain distance around
walls for proper receptacle
placement per code.

42. Decide where to place power
drops/connections to the
power supply in manufactur­ing floor layouts.

43. Measure electrical room
square feet/meters for regu­lation verification.

available on hand.

Industrial Maintenance:
Conveyors

44. Determine conveyor belt

1

Laser measurement outdoors can be
compromised by direct sunlight.

2

Do not use laser measurement tools in
the proximity of flammable materials.

2 Fluke Corporation 101 applications for laser distance meters

length (for/at installation).

45. Calculate conveyor belt
capacity, based on length.

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from various

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1

using the A-frame

Measuring height to tall ceiling.

Industrial Maintenance:
Layout

46. Measure distance between
machines to estimate heat
loading.

47. Determine equipment
ventilation requirements
(mass air flow).

Industrial Maintenance:
Tanks

48. Check tank level2 and
verify accuracy of tank level
transmitters.

49. Measure water level at
power plant water intake.

Industrial Maintenance:
Other

50. Check calibration of auto­mated product shuttle
distance sensors.

51. Align large welding fixtures.

52. Determine the volume of

industrial ovens used in
powder coating, etc.