ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
Electrical Test and Measurement instruments => Bench-top multimeter => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on December 31, 2025, 12:49:08 PM
-
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026 8)
Best way to setup FLUKE 8846A for Pico technology TA189 AC / DC Current Clamp
Trusted measurement range 12mA ~ 30A.
By using mx+b Math Function.
FLUKE 8846A / DMM 4050, this comes with mx+b Math Function.
The problem begins when both FLUKE and Tektronix the second as source of DMM4050, they gave us poorly written user manuals. :P
For setting M parameter other than numbers, we have to set correctly also the the multiplier
For setting B parameter other than numbers, we have to set correctly also the the multiplier
And here comes the undocumented part:
M multiplier symbols:
u, m, (square box or _ ) , K, M
B multiplier symbols:
P, n, u, m, (square box or _ ), K, M, G
square box or _ When selecting a multiplier, DMM graphical User interface, this will present also an square box as an possible highlighted choice.
When this square box this is not highlighted ( stored choice ) then the user will see an underscore ( _ ) symbol.
Now the users with high intelligence, they should understand, that this is how the DMM will notify them, that this is the setting for inactive multiplier :P :P :P
-
Next question, this is of what happens if you start tweaking M multiplier symbols?
At my 8846A, u and m multiplier, both steal away digits of display resolution.
While K and M they create an overflow in the quantity of digits.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pico technology TA189 AC / DC Current Clamp, this is the best current clamp probe, at my current collection.
https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=1778.0 (https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=1778.0)
I have repeatably confirm it measuring range, trusted measurement range 12mA ~ 30A. :)
This is an excellent working range for 99% of electrical applications, by excluding Process control.
TA189 when this gets combined with the 8846A, they can do miracles as a team.
TA189 this is high bandwidth 100kHz probe at AC.
8846A this has a Maximum of 300kHz bandwidth at 10V range, while tight accuracy this is at 10 Hz – 20 kHz.
This combination it can measure from DC up to non sinusoidal AC RMS mA and Ampere. 8)
The setup of 8846A at mx+b Math Function, this was rather easy.
As first we select manual 10V range (AC or DC).
MATH MENU..
At M value we set +010.000000
multiplier symbol = INACTIVE = square box or underscore
Then we use MATH Enable
Then we can store this configuration, at 8846A by using Memory button and one of the available configuration store slots.
I have all ready one mx+b Math configuration for DC fan RPM measurements.
Now added and a second mx+b Math configuration, for my current probe DC Mode.
And a third, for my current probe AC Mode
8846A this has five slots of SAVE / RECAL Config.
Now I am finally able, not to just measure AC/DC current with my probe, but to also perform PC data-logging, and averaging calculation.
Due the TsDMMViewer Data Logger software. ;)
At my next article update, I will add few photographs too.