Fluke 789 User Manual

August 2002 Rev. 3, 3/13

© 2002-2013 Fluke Corporation, All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

789

ProcessMeter™

Users Manual

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

This Fluke product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for three years from the date of purchase. This war­ranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries, or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not authorized to extend any other warranty on Fluke’s behalf.
To obtain service during the warranty period, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return authoriza­tion information, then send the product to that Service Center with a description of the problem.

THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY. NO OTHER WARRANTIES, SUCH AS FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. FLUKE IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some states or countries
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this limitation of
liability may not apply to you.

Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090
U.S.A.

11/99

Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 1186
5602 BD Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Table of Contents

Title Page

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

How to Contact Fluke ..................................................................................................... 1

Safety Information .......................................................................................................... 2

How to Get Started ......................................................................................................... 5

Getting Acquainted with the Meter ................................................................................. 6

Measuring Electrical Parameters .................................................................................... 18

Input Impedance ........................................................................................................ 18

Ranges ...................................................................................................................... 18

Testing Diodes ........................................................................................................... 18

Displaying Minimum, Maximum, and Average ........................................................... 19

Using AutoHold .......................................................................................................... 19

Compensating for Test Lead Resistance ................................................................... 20

Using the Current Output Functions ............................................................................... 20

Source Mode ............................................................................................................. 20

Simulate Mode ........................................................................................................... 22

Producing a Steady mA Output ................................................................................. 24

Manually Stepping the mA Output ............................................................................. 25

Auto Ramping the mA Output .................................................................................... 26

i

789

Users Manual

Power-Up Options ......................................................................................................... 27

Loop Power Supply Mode .............................................................................................. 29

Battery Life ..................................................................................................................... 31

Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 31

General Maintenance..................................................................................................... 31

Calibration ................................................................................................................. 31

Replacing a Fuse ...................................................................................................... 34

If the Meter does not Work ........................................................................................ 34

Replacement Parts and Accessories ............................................................................. 35

Specifications ................................................................................................................. 39

ii

List of Tables

Table Title Page

1. International Symbols ............................................................................................................ 4

2. Input/Output Jacks................................................................................................................. 7

3. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements ............................................................ 9

4. Rotary Function Switch Positions for mA Output ................................................................... 11

5. Rotary Function Switch Position for Loop Supply .................................................................. 11

6. Pushbuttons .......................................................................................................................... 13

7. Display ................................................................................................................................... 16

8. mA Output Adjust Pushbuttons ............................................................................................. 25

9. mA Stepping Pushbuttons ..................................................................................................... 26

10. mA Step Values ..................................................................................................................... 26

11. Power-Up Options ................................................................................................................. 28

12. Typical Alkaline Battery Life .................................................................................................. 31

13. Replacement Parts ................................................................................................................ 37

iii

789

Users Manual

iv

List of Figures

Figure Title Page

1. Fluke 789 ProcessMeter ........................................................................................................ 5

2. Input/Output Jacks................................................................................................................. 6

3. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements ............................................................ 8

4. Rotary Function Switch Positions for mA Output ................................................................... 10

5. Pushbuttons .......................................................................................................................... 12

6. Elements of the Display ......................................................................................................... 15

7. Sourcing Current ................................................................................................................... 21

8. Simulating a Transmitter ........................................................................................................ 23

9. Loop Power Voltage vs. Current ............................................................................................ 29

10. Connections for Supplying Loop Power ................................................................................. 30

11. Replacing the Batteries and Fuses ........................................................................................ 33

12. Replacement Parts ................................................................................................................ 36

v

789

Users Manual

vi

ProcessMeter

Introduction

Warning

Read “Safety Information” before using the
meter.

The Fluke 789 ProcessMeter (referred to as “the meter”)
is a handheld, battery-operated tool for measuring
electrical parameters, supplying steady or ramping current
to test process instruments, and providing a > 24 V loop
power supply. It has all the features of a digital multimeter,
plus current output capability.

If the meter is damaged or something is missing, contact
the place of purchase immediately. Contact a Fluke
distributor for information about DMM (digital multimeter)
accessories. To order replacement parts or spares, see
Table 13 near the end of this manual.

How to Contact Fluke

To contact Fluke, call one of the following telephone
numbers:

• Technical Support USA: 1-800-44-FLUKE (1-800-443-

5853)

• Calibration/Repair USA: 1-888-99-FLUKE (1-888-993-

5853)

• Canada: 1-800-36-FLUKE (1-800-363-5853)

• Europe: [phone]

• Japan: [phone]

• Singapore: [phone]

• Anywhere in the world: [phone]

Or, visit Fluke's website at www.fluke.com.

To register your product, visit http://register.fluke.com.

1

789

Users Manual

To view, print, or download the latest manual supplement,
visit http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/manuals.

Safety Information

A Warning identifies conditions and procedures that are
dangerous to the user. A Caution identifies conditions and
procedures that can cause damage to the Product or the
equipment under test.

International symbols used on the meter and in this
manual are explained in Table 1.

Warning

To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or
personal injury:

• Read “Safety Information” before using the

meter.

• Do not use the meter if it is damaged. Before

using the meter, inspect the case. Look for
cracks or missing plastic. Pay particular
attention to the insulation surrounding the
connectors.

• Make sure the battery door is closed and

latched before operating the meter.

• Remove test leads from the meter before

opening the battery door.

• Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or

exposed metal. Check test lead continuity.
Replace damaged test leads before using the
meter.

• Do not use the meter if it operates abnormally.

Protection may be impaired. When in doubt,
have the meter serviced.

• Do not operate the meter around explosive gas,

vapor, or dust.

• Do not use in a damp or wet environment.

• Use only type AA batteries, properly installed in

the meter case, to power the meter.

• When servicing the meter, use only specified

replacement parts.

• Use caution when working above 30 V ac rms,

42 V ac pk, or 60 V dc. Such voltages pose a
shock hazard.

• When using the probes, keep fingers behind the

finger guards on the probes.

• Connect the common test lead before

connecting the live test lead. When
disconnecting test leads, disconnect the live
test lead first.

2

ProcessMeter™

Safety Information

• Do not use AutoHold to determine if dangerous

voltage is present. AutoHold will not capture
unstable or noisy readings.

• To avoid false readings, which could lead to

possible electric shock or personal injury,
replace the battery as soon as the battery
indicator () appears.

• Remove test leads from the meter before

opening the battery door.

• Close and latch the battery door before using

the meter.

• To avoid personal injury or damage to the

meter, use only the specified replacement fuse,
440 mA 1000 V fast-blow, Fluke PN 943121.

• Do not exceed the Measurement Category (CAT)

rating of the lowest rated individual component
of a product, probe, or accessory.

• Do not use the TL175 or TP175 test probes in

CAT III or CAT IV environments without the
probe tip fully extended and correct category
rating visible in the window.

• When the TL175 is used with instruments or

other accessories, the lowest category rating of
the combination applies. One exception is when
the probe is used with the AC172 or AC175.

3

789

Users Manual

Symbol Meaning Symbol Meaning

Table 1. International Symbols

4













CAT II

CAT III

CAT IV



Risk of danger. Important information. See Manual.

Conforms to European Union directives

Meets Underwriters’ Laboratories safety
requirements

Conforms to relevant North American Safety
Standards

Alternating current

Direct current

Battery

Measurement Category II is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected directly to utilization points
(socket outlets and similar points) of the low-voltage MAINS installation.

Measurement Category III is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected to the distribution part of
the building’s low-voltage MAINS installation.

Measurement Category IV is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected at the source of the
building’s low-voltage MAINS installation.

This product complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking requirements. The affixed label
indicates that you must not discard this electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste. Product
Category: With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE Directive Annex I, this product is classed as
category 9 "Monitoring and Control Instrumentation" product. Do not dispose of this product as unsorted
municipal waste. Go to Fluke’s website for recycling information.

 Hazardous voltage













Conforms to relevant South Korean EMC
Standards

Inspected and licensed by TÜV Product
Services

Conforms to relevant Australian Standards

Earth ground

Fuse

Double insulated

ProcessMeter™

How to Get Started

How to Get Started

If familiar with the Fluke 80 Series DMM, read “Using the
Current Output Functions,” review the tables and figures in
“Getting Acquainted with the Meter,” and begin using the
meter.

Display

789

PROCESSMETER

If unfamiliar with Fluke 80 Series DMMs, or DMMs in
general, read “Measuring Electrical Parameters” in
addition to the sections referenced in the previous
paragraph.

The sections following “Using the Current Output
Functions” contain information about the power-up options,
and battery and fuse replacement instructions.

Later, use the Quick Reference Guide to refresh your
memory about the various functions and features that can
be used.

Rotary
Switch

100%

SpanCheck

0%

OFF

A

RANGE HOLD

MIN MAX

COARSE

REL

COM

mA

A

mA

LOOP POWER

CAT IV

600 V

FINE

mA

mA

250
HART

Hz

V

%STEP

mV

V

V

mA

Pushbuttons

Input/Output
Jacks

anw014f.eps

Figure 1. Fluke 789 ProcessMeter

5

789

Users Manual

Getting Acquainted with the Meter

To become familiar with the features and functions of the
meter, study the following figures and tables.

• Figure 2 and Table 2 describe the input/output jacks.

• Figure 3 and Table 3 describe the input functions of

the first six rotary function switch positions.

1

A

2

Figure 2. Input/Output Jacks

mA

• Figure 4 and Tables 4 and 5 describe the output

functions of the last three rotary function switch
positions.

• Figure 5 and Table 6 describe the functions of the

pushbuttons.

• Figure 6 and Table 7 explain what all the elements of

the display indicate.

COM

CAT IV

600 V

V

3

4

anw001f.eps

6

ProcessMeter™

Getting Acquainted with the Meter

Table 2. Input/Output Jacks

Item Jack Measurement Functions

 A c

 mA d



 COM

V

Input for current to 440 mA
continuous. (1 A for up to 30
seconds.) Fused with a 440 mA
fuse.

Input for current to 30 mA.
Fused with a 440 mA fuse.

Input for voltage to 1000 V, Ω,
continuity, and diode test.

Common for all measurements.

Source Current

Function

Output for dc current to 24 mA.
Output for loop power supply.

Common for dc current output to
24 mA. Common for loop power
supply.

Common for transmitter

Simulate Transmitter

Function

Output for transmitter
simulation to 24 mA. (Use in
series with an external loop
supply.)

simulation to 24 mA. (Use in
series with an external loop
supply.)

7

789

Users Manual

4

3

2

V

OFF

1

Figure 3. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements

mV

V

mA

A

mA

mA

250
HART

mA

LOOP POWER

5

6

anw002f.eps

8

ProcessMeter™

Getting Acquainted with the Meter

Table 3. Rotary Function Switch Positions for Measurements

No. Position Function(s) Pushbutton Actions

 OFF
 S

Meter off

Default:
Measure ac V

h

Frequency counter

M Selects a MIN, MAX, or AVG action
R Selects a fixed range (hold 1 second for auto range)
H Toggles AutoHold
r Toggles relative reading (sets a relative zero point)



T

Default:
Measure dc V

Same as above

h

Frequency counter



U

Default:
Measure dc mV

Same as above

h

Frequency counter



V

Default: Measure Ω

Same as above, except diode test has only one range

G for continuity

J (Blue) D test



W

High test lead in cA: Measure A dc

J (Blue) selects ac

High test lead in dmA: Measure mA
dc

Same as above, except there is only one range for each
input jack position, 30 mA or 1 A

9