Fluke 115 vs 87V Multimeters – What’s the difference?

This article will provide a detailed comparison between two popular Multimeters:

The Fluke 115, a versatile and user-friendly tool designed for general electrical and electronic testing, and the Fluke 87V, a superior model tailored for more complex industrial environments.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter, For Advanced Troubleshooting, Measures 1000 V AC/DC, Peak Min/Max, Low Pass Filter, Includes TL75 Test Leads, AC175 Alligator Clips, 80BK Temp Probe

Fluke 115 serves excellently as a versatile, everyday tool for a wide range of standard electrical tasks.

Fluke 115 Digital Multimeter, Measures AC/DC Voltage To 600 V & Current to 10 A, Measures Resistance, Continuity, Frequency & Capacitance, Includes Battery, Holster & 4mm PVC-Insulated Test Lead

Fluke 87V steps up as a more robust instrument, offering precision and features necessary for higher-stakes industrial environments and specialized applications.

Detailed Comparison

💳 Price

Basic features

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Auto / manual ranging Yes Yes 
Basic DC accuracy0.50 %0.05 % ✅
Counts600020000 ✅
Digits3.54.5 ✅
True RMS readingsACAC
Wide bandwidth1 kHz20 kHz ✅

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter, For Advanced Troubleshooting, Measures 1000 V AC/DC, Peak Min/Max, Low Pass Filter, Includes TL75 Test Leads, AC175 Alligator Clips, 80BK Temp Probe

Diagnostics and data

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Display holdYes Yes 
Min-max recordingYes  Yes 
Auto (touch) holdNo Yes ✅
Fast Min-MaxNo250 µs ✅
Relative referenceNo  Yes ✅

Other features

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Operating temperature range-10 °C to +50 °C-40 °C to +55 °C ✅
Completely sealed / watertightNoYes ✅
SmoothingNoYes ✅
Trigger in / outNoYes ✅

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter, For Advanced Troubleshooting, Measures 1000 V AC/DC, Peak Min/Max, Low Pass Filter, Includes TL75 Test Leads, AC175 Alligator Clips, 80BK Temp Probe

Warranty and safety

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Dangerous voltage indication Yes Yes  
EN61010-1 CAT III600 V1000 V ✅
Input alert Yes Yes  
IP ratingIP 42IP 67 ✅
Warranty3 yearsLifetime ✅
EN61010-1 CAT IVN/A600 V ✅

Measurements

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Capacitance9,999 µF9,999 µF
Continuity with beeper Yes Yes
Current AC/DC10.0 A10.0 A
Diode test YesYes 
Frequency99.99 kHz200 kHz ✅
Resistance40 MΩ50 MΩ ✅
Voltage AC/DC600 V1000 V ✅
ConductanceN/A60 nS ✅
Duty cycleNoYes ✅
MicroampsNo Yes ✅
Motor drive measurementNo Yes ✅
Pulse widthNo Yes ✅
TemperatureNoYes
+1090 °C ✅

Display

Fluke 115Fluke 87V
Backlight Yes ✅No
Two-level backlightNoYes ✅

Use Cases

The two multimeters are designed for slightly different use cases. Here’s an overview of the typical applications for each:

Fluke 115

  • General Purpose Use: The Fluke 115 is ideal for basic electrical and electronic testing, making it a popular choice among field service technicians, general electricians, and hobbyists.
  • Field Service Testing: This model is equipped for a variety of common field measurements including voltage, current, continuity, frequency, and capacitance. It is well-suited for quick verification tasks and repair jobs on the go.
  • Home and Commercial Electrical Troubleshooting: With its compact design and ease of use, the Fluke 115 is adept at dealing with residential and commercial electrical issues, including appliance checks, outlet tests, and lighting systems.
  • HVAC Systems: It includes capabilities useful for HVAC technicians, such as testing motor start and run capacitors, along with other HVAC components.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter, For Advanced Troubleshooting, Measures 1000 V AC/DC, Peak Min/Max, Low Pass Filter, Includes TL75 Test Leads, AC175 Alligator Clips, 80BK Temp Probe

Fluke 87V

  • Industrial and Advanced Electrical Testing: The Fluke 87V is designed for complex industrial environments. It features advanced troubleshooting capabilities, including true RMS accuracy, making it suitable for systems like motor drives, plant automation, power distribution, and electromechanical equipment.
  • Frequency Measurement: The 87V excels in measuring frequency to a fine resolution, which is crucial for managing and troubleshooting adjustable speed drives and other applications involving detailed electronic signals.
  • Temperature Measurements: With a built-in temperature measurement feature, it can handle tasks requiring monitoring of operational temperatures in industrial processes.
  • Specialized Industrial Applications: The 87V includes features like a low-pass filter to accurately measure voltage and frequency on motor drives and other electrically noisy equipment.