Fluke Thermometer Selection Guide

Selecting the Right Fluke Thermometer

Step 1- Determine your temperature range

Consider whether you’ll need to measure internal, ambient, or surface temperatures and the maximum temperature required. Infrared thermometers are designed to measure surface temperatures but many models accept temperature probes for other types of measuring. You may need an IR tool to measure both high-temperature materials and to check equipment sensors such as in chemical processing. Or will you always use your thermometer for a lower temperature range—like cold or warm air from a vent or motor housing?

Step 2 - Determine your maximum distance to the objects you will measure

There are two primary considerations in selecting the right IR thermometer with correct distance to spot ratio (D:S)—the distance from the target, and the size of that target. Choose a high D:S to measure smaller objects or distant targets, such as, ceiling vents or roofs, in dangerous areas, or where equipment might block access.

Step 3 - Consider any special needs that require specific features

If you need to measure internal temperatures, you’ll want an IR thermometer with contact capabilities, compatible with your thermocouples. • In predictive maintenance applications, consider whether you’ll need on-board memory for trending and accurate reporting, or a model that allows hands-free, real-time temperature monitoring with a PC. • Need photographic documentation? The Fluke 576 takes time-stamped photos along with temperature measurements.

Other special application considerations

In electronics, you may need a Close Focus model to accurately measure a 6 mm (¼ in) spot from about 0.3 m (1 ft) away. • For hazardous locations, we have models that are specially FM-approved for safe operation near explosive gases.
 
Models Fluke 51 Series II Fluke 52 Series II Fluke 53 Series II Fluke 54 Series II Fluke 61 Fluke 62 Fluke 561 Fluke 566 Fluke 568 Fluke 68IS
Recommended uses Quality assurance, process calibration, food safety, HVAC Laboratory, quality
assurance, process calibration, food safety, HVAC
Short-range   troubleshooting, electrical, HVAC, industrial Short-range   troubleshooting, electrical, HVAC,
industrial, automotive
Plant/General Maintenance, HVAC Electrical, mechanical,  plant, diesel, HVAC in indus- trial environments Electrical, mechanical, plant, diesel, HVAC in industrial environments, temporary process and equipment monitoring Hazardous locations for maintanenace
Infrared/noncontact Fluke 51 Series II Fluke 52 Series II Fluke 53 Series II Fluke 54 Series II Fluke 61 Fluke 62 Fluke 561 Fluke 566 Fluke 568 Fluke 68IS
Temperature range -18 °C to 275 °C
(0 °F to 575 °F)
-30 °C to 500 °C
(-20 °F to 932 °F)
-40 °C to 650 °C
(-40 °F to 1200 °F)
-40 °C to 650 °C
(-40 °F to 1200 °F)
-40 °C to 800 °C
(-40 °F to 1470 °F)
-32 °C to 760 °C
(-25 °F to 1400 °F)
Accuracy greater of 2 % or ± 2 °C (4 °F) greater of ± 1.5 % or ± 1.5 °C (3.0 °F) greater of ± 1 % or ± 1 °C (2 °F) greater of ± 1 % or ± 1 °C (2 °F)
Distance to Spot (D:S) 8:1 10:1 12:1 30:1 50:1 50:1
Sighting Laser point Laser point Laser point
Typical distance to target Up to 2 m (6 ft) Up to 2.5 m (7 ft) Up to 4.5 m (15 ft) Up to 7.5 m (25 ft) Up to 7.5 m (25 ft)
Close-focus
(6 mm/0.24 in spot)
Contact Fluke 51 Series II Fluke 52 Series II Fluke 53 Series II Fluke 54 Series II Fluke 61 Fluke 62 Fluke 561 Fluke 566 Fluke 568 Fluke 68IS
Probe type Thermocouple K, J, T, E Thermocouple K, J, T, E, N, R, S Thermocouple K RTD
Number of inputs 1 2 1 2 1 1
Temperature range J-type: -210 °C to 1200 °C (-346 °F to 2192 °F)
K-type: -200 °C to 1372 °C (-328 °F to 2501 °F)
T-type: -250 °C to 400 °C (-418 °F to 752 °F)
E-type: -150 °C to 1000 °C (-238 °F to 1832 °F)
J-type: -210 °C to 1200 °C (-346 °F to 2192 °F)
K-type: -200 °C to 1372 °C (-328 °F to 2501 °F)
T-type: -250 °C to 400 °C (-418 °F to 752 °F)
E-type: -150 °C to 1000 °C (-238 °F to 1832 °F)
N-type: -200 °C to 1300 °C (-392 °F to 2373 °F)
R and S-type: 0 °C to 1767 °C (32 °F to 3212 °F)
-40 °C to 550 °C
(-40 °F to1022 °F)
-270 °C to 1372 °C
(-454 °F to 2501 °F)
-40 °C to 260 °C
(-40 °F to 500 °F)
Data storage and download Fluke 51 Series II Fluke 52 Series II Fluke 53 Series II Fluke 54 Series II Fluke 61 Fluke 62 Fluke 561 Fluke 566 Fluke 568 Fluke 68IS
Number of on-board memory locations 500 20 99 12
PC download and software Yes, with FlukeView®  Forms Yes,
with FlukeView®  Forms
Photographic data capture
Special features Fluke 51 Series II Fluke 52 Series II Fluke 53 Series II Fluke 54 Series II Fluke 61 Fluke 62 Fluke 561 Fluke 566 Fluke 568 Fluke 68IS
Time stamp Relative Time of day     Time of day
Soft-key feature menu navigaton     Yes
MIN/MAX/AVG/DIFF MIN / MAX / AVG MIN / MAX / AVG / DIF MIN / MAX / AVG MIN / MAX / AVG / DIF MAX MIN / MAX / DIF MIN / MAX / AVG / DIF MIN / MAX / AVG / DIF
English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German user interface Yes
Material type adjustment (emissivity)   Preset to 0.95 HI / MED / LO Material table or 0.1 to 1.00 by 0.01 0.1 to 1.00 by 0.01
Two levels of backlight Yes
High and low alarms High and low alarms High and low alarms
Hazardous location approval FM approved intrinsically  safe
Hands-free logging Yes Yes
Bar graph display of last ten measurements
Battery 3 AA 9 V     9 V
Included case Soft case Hard Case (Except 561/R and 561/P) Hard case Hard case
Warranty 3 years 1 year 2 years 2 years 2 years