Agilent Technologies' Digital Multimeters Provide Highest Safety Protection for Electrical Applications

(Product News, 7 Sep 2009)

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) announced higher safety ratings for its U1240A Series and U1250A Series handheld digital multimeters (DMMs). New test probes and improved fuse protection enable CAT III 1000V and CAT IV 600V ratings, improving user safety in electrical testing and measurement.
Included with every unit, the new test probes use 4-mm tips, a length that reduces the likelihood of high-energy sparking, especially in CAT IV environments. As defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), CAT III environments include three-phase distribution (and single-phase commercial lighting) while CAT IV environments include three-phase utility connections and outdoor conductors.
While most comparable DMMs use a 10 kA fuse, Agilent U1240A and U1250A models now use a 30 kA fuse to provide greater protection from high-voltage transients. During qualification of the 30 kA fuse, all models passed HIPOT testing at 2000 VAC and 2000 VDC between the microamp, milliamp, and ampere terminals and common ground.
"The proper combination of DMM and probes is an essential element of safe operation in high-voltage electrical environments," said Ee Huei Sin, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Basic Instruments Division. "These new enhancements demonstrate our commitment to customer safety and expand our definition of 'essential features' in a handheld DMM."
Agilent's award-winning U1250A Series delivers features and value to rival all other DMMs in its class. The series includes the U1253A, the world's first handheld DMM with an OLED display. The U1240A Series lets engineers and technicians measure over broad ranges and perform a variety of checks faster with built-in capabilities such as data logging, harmonic ratio and a switch counter.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Agilent U1240A handheld DMMs range in price from $200 to $220. The U1250A handheld DMMs range in price from $399 to $449. All are currently shipping with 4-mm leads and 30-kA fuses.