-h2. Contents
- Intro
- Disclaimer
- Manual references
- Tweaks and tricks
- Accuracy verification
- DCV Noise evaluation at shorted inputs
- Noise performance verification
- Temperature stability study
- Comparison to Keithley 2002
- Comparison to Keysight 3458A
- Comparison to Wavetek 4920M AVMS
- GPIB code references
- Summary
Intro
Slowly, but surely we are approaching to the goal of covering and describing every single 8½-digit multimeter on the market. This time it is very expensive and rare guest, Fluke 8508A. This meter was a result of facelift and update of 8½-digit Datron 1281, which Fluke done shortly after buying Wavetek/Datron T&M division on 2000’s. People familiar with Wavetek 1271/1281 units and programming language will find 8508A very similar, even in most things exactly the same. GPIB Commands are not SCPI compatible, so this meter talks it’s own language.
8508A is famous for it’s resistance performance and ability to do flexible ratiometric measurements, when equipped with extra option /01. This option adds ratio functionality and six low-thermal rear 5-way binding posts, and it does not come standard, but sold for big dollar instead. Fully featured 8508A/01 have MSRP in excess of $22K USD, making it twice as expensive to another metrology workhorse meter – Keysight 3458A.
In this article we will get familiar with 8508A/01 that was last calibrated in year 2014, and perform various test and verify it’s accuracy after all these years. Also there is very little measured data/information available online about this meter performance in respect of tempco/noise and stability for it’s main functions. To address this issue, comparison to pair of freshly calibrated Keithley 2002’s and pair of Keysight 3458A DMMs will be also performed. ACV performance will be checked against Wavetek 4920M AC Voltage Measurement Standard.
But before all that goodness, take a look on what meter have to offer us:
| Measurement Function | Range | Best accuracy, 30 day, within ±1 °C TCAL |
|---|---|---|
| DC Voltage | ±100 mV | ±3 ppm |
| DC Voltage | ± 1, 10 and 19 V | ±1.5 ppm |
| DC Voltage | ± 100 and 1000 V | ±2 ppm |
| DC Current | ±100 µA, ±1 mA, ±10 mA, ±100 mA | ±7 ppm |
| DC Current | ±1 A | ±15 ppm |
| DC Current | ±10 A | ±20 ppm |
| AC Voltage | 10 Hz – 30 kHz, 1 V, 10 V, 19 V, 100 V | ±10 ppm |
| AC Voltage | 55 Hz – 30 kHz, 1000 V | ±15 ppm |
| AC Current | 100 µA, 1 mA to 1A, 10 A @ 10 Hz to 10 kHz | ±40 – 200, ±200 – 1000 ppm |
| Resistance | 1-2 Ω, 10-19 Ω, 30-19000 Ω, 30-190 kΩ, 300 kΩ – 100 MΩ | ±20-15, 5, 3, 5, 8-180 ppm |
| TrueOhm Resistance | 1-2 Ω, 10-19 Ω, 30-19000 Ω, 30-190 kΩ, 300 kΩ – 100 MΩ | ±20-15, 5, 3, 5, 8-180 ppm |
| HighVoltage Resistance | 1-2 Ω, 10-19 Ω, 30-19000 Ω, 30-190 kΩ, 300 kΩ – 100 MΩ | ±20-15, 5, 3, 5, 8-180 ppm |
Table 1: Brief specifications for Fluke 8508A Reference Multimeter
There are different options for 8508Ф, such as:
| Option ID | Description |
|---|---|
| Option 01 | Additional rear terminal block and ratio metric measurements functionality. |
| Option 90 | Rack Mounting Kit |
| Option 95 | Rack Slide Kit |
As far as we know, there are no additional options available to upgrade Fluke 8508A. If you have standard 8508A and want to upgrade it to Opt.01, unit has to be returned to Fluke to perform installation of the option and recalibration.
Disclaimer
Redistribution and use of this article or any images or files referenced in it, in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
- Redistribution of article must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions, link to this page (/review/f8508a/) and the following disclaimer.
- Redistribution of files in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions, link to this page (/review/f8508a/), and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution, for example Read-me file.
All information posted here is hosted just for education purposes and provided AS IS. In no event shall the author, xDevs.com site, or any other 3rd party, including Fluke be liable for any special, direct, indirect, or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tortuous action, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information published here.
If you willing to contribute or add your experience regarding various instruments repairs or provide extra information, you can do so following these simple instructions
As usual, all photos are clickable for high-resolution version.
Manual references
Model 2182 Nanovoltmeter User’s Manual, Rev.D April 2002
Unfortunately, there is no schematics available in public service manuals for 8508A
Thermal image captures
Firmware
Tweaks and tricks
Performance verification
Summary
This article would be impossible without work of Todd and his Model 2182 and his content and testing results. We also would like to give credits to pipelie, who helped a lot to push xDevs.com project forward. Thank you!
It’s a joy for any passionate engineer to see these instruments working, despite all those years. They might not be new and fancy with touchscreen TFTs, but still hard to replace when one need the accurate low-level measurement.
If you do have any questions, jump in comments! All the feedback is appreciated.
Modified: Jan. 10, 2019, 7:09 a.m.