Sparks Electrical News March 2018

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

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FLUKE-LITE RANGE MEANS EVERYONE CAN AFFORD A FLUKE

THE MOST POPULAR PROFESSIONAL MODULAR ROLLER TOOL SET AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE

counts during a full conversion. For example, the theoretical resolution of a 2 000-count meter with a 3½-digit display is (1/2 000)(100%) = 0.05%. The larger number of counts should translate into higher resolu- tion, and usually DMMs with a higher resolution have higher accuracy. How- ever, DMM accuracy also depends on other design factors, such as Ana- logue to Digital Converter (ADC) ac- curacy, component tolerances, noise level, and the stability of internal ref- erences. So, do not automatically as-

grouping of Fluke’s most reason- ably priced products make up the range, which includes palm- and full-sized digital multimeters, cur- rent and ‘True RMS’ clamp meters, electrical testers, infra-red ther- mometers, two-pole testers, combo kits and various accessories. Fluke-Lite products are compact, easy-to-use tools that deliver con- tinuous, safe and reliable measure- ments and are available throughout South Africa. All of the Fluke-Lite products carry Fluke warranties, and customers can access literature such as data sheets and applica- tion notes, information on upcoming seminars or demonstrations on their tool of choice, via Comtest’s website.

FLUKE is known as a world leader in the manufacture of electronic test tools and software. From industrial electronic installation, maintenance and service to precision measure- ment and quality control, Fluke tools have, for the past 70 years, been helping to keep industry around the world up and running. Typical us- ers include technicians, engineers, metrologists and computer net- work professionals who stake their reputations on their tools. Fluke tools are renowned for portablil- ity, ruggedness, safety, ease of use and rigid quality standards. That’s why professionals’ tool of choice is a Fluke. Comtest offers the Fluke-Lite range of affordable test and meas- urement tools. A specially selected

sume that a 4½-digit meter is 10 times more accurate than a 3½-digit meter. In addition, since DMMs have automatic polarity detection, they display negative values equal in range to the positive values. That is, the display of a 3½-digit DMM can show any number from -1 999 to 0 and from 0 to 1999.

T he Fixman (FIX F1RP7) Profes- sional series with its 7 draw 130 tool piece set on its new Roller cabinet, still leads sales worldwide as themost popular unit from its range of 40 available modules. Fixman modu- lar storage systems allow each tool to be easily selected and missing tools are immediately noticed. This comprehensive unit is the per- fect automotive unit and has it all. The 12 modular trays include a 17-piece combination spanner set 2 to 22 mm, a two piece machinist hammer and mallet, three piece adjustable wrench 6, 8 and 10 inch, seven slotted screw drivers, seven Phillips screw drivers, seven Torx screw drivers, a four piece internal and external circlip plier set, a 19 piece 1/4 inch drive sockets and accessories, a 22 piece 3/8 inch drive sockets and accessories, 22 piece 1/2 inch drive sockets and accessories, 16 deep drive sockets and a four piece plier set. It is fully compatible with all the roller cabinets and work bench systems. The tough compact trays forming the modules are designed to withstand intensive daily use. The Fixman tool cabinet was put through an unusual test at a recent Vermont Sales Open Day. Fixman Tools, wanting to prove the quality and robust strength of its tool cabi- nets, used a popular demonstration that the group uses at its interna- tional shows. A car was loaded onto four of its tool cabinets to show their strength. “We have never seen this demo in South Africa before and it certainly shows the strength of these units and was a revelation for our customers. There are few com- panies that will attempt this sort of demonstration to prove the tough construction of their products,” said Ryan Hunt, sales director of Vermont Sales. “Fixman Tools is a proven brand that offers fantastic value. It is a premier brand in Vermont Sales group, which we are proud to repre- sent,” said Hunt.

DEFINITIONS Accuracy

Enquires: www.comtest.co.za.

An instrument’s degree of reliability and degree of acceptable error can occur under specific operating conditions. Alternatively, how close the measurement is to the actual or reference value of the signal be- ing measured. Accuracy may be represented as a percentage as well as digits. Example: an accuracy of ±2%, +2 digits means 100.0 V reading on a multim- eter can be from 97.8 V to 102.2 V. Accuracy is gener- ally compared to an accepted industry standard. Precision An instrument’s degree of repeatability i.e. how reliably can the instrument repeat the same measurement and read the exact same value when making a series of measurements. Component aging, battery condition, temperature and warm-up time may all affect repeatability. “Obvi- ously, if you can have accurate and precise readings, you will have repeatability in your readings and assur- ance in terms of the measurements,” says Burger. Resolution The smallest increment an instrument can detect and display such as hundredths, thousandths, millionths. Range The upper and lower limits an instrument can meas- ure a value or signal such as amps, volts and ohms. The larger number of counts should translate into higher resolution and generally a higher accuracy. Products “It comes down to the type of work you will be doing,” says Marius Kempenaars, Technical Specialist: Tools and Instruments at HellermannTyton. “For someone doing standard electrical work, the TBM869 Digital Multimeter would be overkill. But if it’s a consulting en- gineer or a design engineer, that’s the guy who would use it and he would understand the reasons why the product has 5 -4/5 digits and 500 000 counts as op- posed to the TBM811, which is perfect for electricians, and which has 3 -9/10 digits and 10 000 counts.” As an example, it is recommended that multimeters for entry level/training and DIY have 2000-4000 counts and qualified electricians use meters with 6 000 counts and upwards. “The sales people therefore need to ask the right questions when approached by cus- tomers,” notes Burger, “Where are you using it, how are you using it, what’s your budget?”

UNIVERSAL TOOL FOR FAST AND PRECISE DISMANTLING OF CABLES

T he Knipex ErgoStrip from Garry Lumpe Imports is a Universal Dismantling Tool which al- lows for fast and precise dismantling and stripping of all common round and damp-proof installation cables (e.g. NYM cable 3 x 1.5 mm- up to 5 x 2,5 rnrn-), data cable (e.g. twisted pair) and coax cable. The innovative, ergonomic pistol grip is designed for easy cutting, stripping and longitudinal cut of the sheath, while the conical, slimmed down tool ends allow for better access in confined areas. The tool offers simplified insertion of single wires for stripping using location ridges and easy inser- tion of coax and data cable thanks to an opening aid. The housing of the Knipex ErgoStrip is made from stable glass fibre reinforced plastic, while the multi-component design with a soft plastic zone ensures comfortable use and a secure grip.

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 396 4065

FLIR ANNOUNCES FLIR DM91 INDUSTRIAL TRUE-RMS MULTIMETER FLIR recently announced the FLIR DM91 Industrial true-root mean square multimeter for electrical inspection. Built for industrial electricians and benchtop workers, the 18-function DM91 digital multimeter is capable of datalogging and storage for up to 10 sets of 40k scalar measurements, with a recall function for data review. Designed to streamline the inspection process and simplify data collection for electricians and benchtop workers, the ergonomic, durable FLIR DM91 features an intuitive user interface for effective and efficient inspection in the wid-

est range of electrical and electronic system applications. Bluetooth technology allows connection to the FLIR Tools mobile app that allows for uploading and sharing data with your team or client, and wireless connectivity to compatible FLIR infrared cameras. The DM91 provides contact temperature measurements up to 400 °C, and includes micro- and milli-amp current measurement capability with 0.1 mV sensitivity for measuring low-power devices with high accuracy. The device’s flexible battery options, including the FLIR TA04 Li-Poly rechargeable battery or standard AA bat- teries, keep it operational 24/7 even under demanding conditions.

Enquiries: www.flir.com/DM91

Enquiries: +27 (0)11 314 7711

Enquiries: www.hellermanntyton.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2018