Fluke user manual Using the Independently Floating Isolated Inputs, Fluke 196C/199C

Fluke 196C/199C

Users Manual

Using the Independently Floating Isolated Inputs

You can use the independently floating isolated inputs to measure signals that are independently floating from each other.

Independently floating isolated inputs offer additional safety and measurement capabilities compared to inputs with common references or grounds.

•Additional safety. Since the commons are not directly connected, the chance of causing short circuit when measuring multiple signals is greatly reduced.

•Additional safety. When measuring in systems with multiple grounds, the ground currents induced are kept to a minimum.

Because the references are not connected together inside the test tool, each reference of the used inputs must be connected to a reference voltage.

Measuring Using Independently Floating Isolated Inputs

The test tool has independently floating isolated inputs. Each input section (A, B, External Trigger / DMM) has its own signal input and its own reference input. The reference input of each input section is electrically isolated from the reference inputs of the other input sections. The isolated input architecture makes the test tool about as versatile as having three independent instruments. The advantages of having independently floating isolated inputs are:

•It allows simultaneous measurement of independently floating signals.

Independently floating isolated inputs are still coupled by parasitic capacitance. This can occur between the input references and the environment, and between the input references mutually (see Figure 44). For this reason, you should connect the references to a system ground or another stable voltage. If the reference of an input is connected to a high speed and / or high voltage signal, you should be aware of parasitic capacitance.

(See Figures 44, 45, 46 and 47.)

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