BREA, California, August 11, 2004 — Fieldpiece Instruments, manufacturer of professional-grade instruments for field service, introduces the new HS36 Stick Meter designed specifically for HVACR field technicians and offering measurement of true RMS value with superior accuracy.
The true RMS measurement feature makes this an important addition to the Fieldpiece Stick Meter line. Digital multimeters use two different types of AC sensing. The most common is average sensing, normalized to the true RMS value of a sine wave. The other is true RMS sensing. The actual true RMS value is sensed for a waveform within the limits of the crest factor. Either sensing method will give the same results on a clean sine wave but they differ on a non-sinusoidal waveform, commonly found in HVACR equipment.
Another new feature of the Fieldpiece HS36 is the backlight display which can be turned on or off with the push of a button.
The HS36 is designed to work with all Fieldpiece accessory heads and thermocouples for versatile measurement of HVACR environments. The new stick meter includes an auto-ranging feature, which automatically changes range for the best resolution. Other features included for the HVAC/R technician include testing microamps for flame rectifier diode tests and the ability to measure frequency.
Like the rest of the stick meter line, the HS36 includes a built-in magnetic hanger, built-in temperature measurement (k-type thermocouple), capacitance, non-contact voltage sensing, silicone rubber test leads with storage on the back, high voltage indicators, a current clamp head, carrying case, alligator clips, and both an LED and beeper to indicate continuity.
“The HS36 helps the HVAC/R technician be more productive and accurate in his measurements,” says Rey Harju, President of Fieldpiece Instruments. “The addition of true RMS value will give him an edge over his competitor,” Harju added.
All of Fieldpiece’s accessory heads, both old and new, work with the HS36. With the appropriate accessory head, the HS36 can measure the following parameters: AC amps (included), superheat, RH%, wet bulb temperature, air temperature, dew point, carbon monoxide, dual temperature, non contact (IR) temperature, air velocity, gas pressure, static pressure, vacuum, milliamps, microamps, and carbon dioxide.
Accessory heads can also be connected to the meter using the removable-tip test leads for “remote” testing. This is particularly useful for measuring blower motor current draw with the door to the blower closed.
A wrap-tab thermocouple (model ATB1) is included. The “wrap-tab” makes it easy to store the thermocouple wire. No more tangled wires.
For convenience, the HS36 includes a non-contact AC voltage sensor that senses voltage from AC line power down to 24VAC for thermostat power. The DMM sounds a beeper and lights up a big, bright LED. Two other LEDs work in conjunction with the beeper to warn the user of high voltage and to indicate continuity.
The HS36 includes the MIN/MAX function, which stores both the highest and lowest reading from the time the button is pushed. Test leads are made of fine stranded silicone insulated wire for flexibility. The probes can easily be stored in the back of the meter and the wires wrap around the meter for fast and convenient storage. The meters are shipped with the leads wrapped around the meter in this fashion so the user can see how to store them. A magnetic hanger is included for safe and easy testing.
The HS36 is available immediately, for $199 trade price, and can be purchased from a Fieldpiece distributor near you. The meter comes with a current clamp head, alligator clips, silicone test leads with removable tips, a magnetic hanger and a k-type thermocouple all packaged in a padded 4-pocket nylon case.
