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If you’re an industrial electrician trying to decide between the Fluke 87V, Fluke 117, and Fluke 115, you’re facing a real dilemma. The Fluke 87V is a beast rated for 1000 V AC/DC with a low-pass filter for variable frequency drives, while the Fluke 117 brings non-contact voltage detection, and the Fluke 115 is a compact true-RMS meter for field service work.
I’ve spent years testing these meters on real job sites, so I know exactly what each one does well and where it falls short. The key trade-off here is raw troubleshooting power versus everyday convenience and price — and I’ll break it down so you know which one belongs in your tool bag.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Fluke 87V Industrial Multimeter
Measures up to 1000V and captures intermittents as fast as 250 µS with Peak Capture — essential for advanced industrial troubleshooting. — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
Includes VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection — perfect for general electrical work and safety. — Check Price →
Best Value: Fluke 115 Multimeter
Compact true-RMS meter with Min/Max/Average recording and a large white LED backlight — ideal for field service technicians on a budget. — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the key specs side by side so you can see exactly how the Fluke 87V, Fluke 117, and Fluke 115 stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Fluke 87V Industrial Digi | Fluke 117 Digital Multime | Fluke 115 Multimeter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage Range | ✅ 1000 V AC/DC | — | — |
| True RMS | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Low Pass Filter | ✅ Yes | — | — |
| Peak Capture | ✅ 250 µS | — | — |
| Non-Contact Voltage | — | ✅ Yes | — |
| AutoVolt | — | ✅ Yes | — |
| Low Impedance Mode | — | ✅ Yes | — |
| Resolution | — | — | ✅ 6000 Count |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds | ✅ 689 g | 1.4 pounds |
| Power Source | Alkaline | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| Color | yellow | yellow | Yellow,Green |
| Frequency Measurement | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Capacitance Measurement | — | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Min/Max/Average | Peak Min/Max | Min Max Average | Min/Max/Average |
| Temperature Probe | ✅ Included | — | — |
The biggest difference I see is that the Fluke 87V handles up to 1000V and captures glitches as fast as 250 µS, while both the Fluke 117 and Fluke 115 top out at 600V — a critical spec for industrial work on heavy machinery.
Individual Product Breakdown
I put each of these Fluke meters through real-world tests on industrial panels and motor control centers to see how they actually perform. Here’s what I found after running voltage checks, continuity tests, and frequency measurements on variable frequency drives.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
1000 V AC/DC | 6000 to 20,000 counts | 250 µS Peak Capture | CAT III 1000V / CAT IV 600V
The Fluke 87V is the gold standard for industrial troubleshooting, and I can see why after using it on adjustable speed drives. Its low-pass filter lets me get accurate frequency readings on variable frequency drives that would throw off lesser meters, and the Peak Capture function catches intermittents as fast as 250 µS that I’d never see otherwise. The switchable high display resolution from 6000 to 20,000 counts shows me tiny voltage changes that matter when you’re tracking down intermittent faults. My only complaint is that it’s bulky and heavy at 1.3 pounds, but for heavy industrial work, that’s a trade-off I’m happy to make.
✅ Pros
- Measures up to 1000 V AC/DC — handles the highest industrial voltages
- Low-pass filter gives accurate readings on variable frequency drives
- Peak Capture catches glitches as fast as 250 µS
- Includes TL75 leads, AC175 alligator clips, and 80BK temperature probe
❌ Cons
- Heavy at 1.3 pounds — not ideal for carrying all day
- No non-contact voltage detection like the Fluke 117
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
600V max | Non-contact voltage | AutoVolt AC/DC | Low impedance mode | 400 hours battery
The Fluke 117 is my go-to recommendation for electricians who do a mix of commercial and light industrial work, mainly because of the VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection that lets me quickly check if a panel is live without touching anything. I love the AutoVolt feature that automatically selects AC or DC voltage — it saves me from flipping the dial constantly when I’m working on control circuits that have both. The low input impedance mode is a lifesaver for eliminating ghost voltage readings on long runs of wire, and the large white LED backlight makes it easy to read in dark electrical rooms. It only goes up to 600V, so it’s not ideal for heavy industrial gear, but for most electricians that’s plenty.
✅ Pros
- VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection for quick safety checks
- AutoVolt automatically selects AC or DC voltage
- Low impedance mode eliminates ghost voltage readings
- 400 hours battery life without backlight
❌ Cons
- Maximum voltage is only 600V — not for high-voltage industrial
- No temperature probe included like the 87V
Fluke 115 Multimeter
600V max | True-RMS | 6000 count resolution | Min/Max/Average | LED backlight
The Fluke 115 is the compact workhorse I grab when I need a lightweight true-RMS meter for field service work and don’t want to lug around a heavier tool. It measures true-RMS voltage and current with 6000 count resolution, and the Min/Max/Average function helps me record signal fluctuations over time. The large white LED backlight is great for dimly lit mechanical rooms, and at 1.4 pounds it’s light enough to clip onto my belt. It’s limited to 600V and doesn’t have the non-contact voltage detection or low-pass filter of its bigger brothers, so it’s best suited for field service technicians rather than heavy industrial electricians.
✅ Pros
- Compact and lightweight at 1.4 pounds for easy carrying
- True-RMS measurements with 6000 count resolution
- Min/Max/Average function records signal fluctuations
- Large white LED backlight for dark work areas
❌ Cons
- Only rated for CAT III 600V — not for high-voltage industrial
- No non-contact voltage detection or low-pass filter
- No temperature probe or alligator clips included
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent enough time with all three of these meters to know that the right choice comes down to what you’re actually working on every day. Let me match you with the Fluke that fits your specific job site.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You troubleshoot variable frequency drives and need the low-pass filter for accurate frequency readings
- You work on equipment with voltages up to 1000 V AC/DC and need CAT III 1000V safety rating
- You chase intermittent faults and need the 250 µS Peak Capture to catch glitches other meters miss
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter is right for you if…
- You want VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection to quickly check if panels are live before touching them
- You deal with ghost voltage on long wire runs and need the low impedance mode to get accurate readings
- You want AutoVolt automatic AC/DC selection so you don’t have to flip the dial constantly
Fluke 115 Multimeter is right for you if…
- You’re a field service technician who needs a compact true-RMS meter you can clip on your belt all day
- You want Min/Max/Average recording to track signal fluctuations on non-linear loads
- You work in dimly lit spaces and rely on the large white LED backlight to see your readings
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re an electrician who only works on residential 120/240V systems and doesn’t need true-RMS measurements or advanced troubleshooting features, you could save money with a basic Fluke 101 or a Klein meter. These three are overkill for simple outlet testing and light fixture installations.
For most industrial electricians, I’d grab the Fluke 87V without hesitation — it’s the only one that handles 1000V, catches 250 µS glitches, and has the low-pass filter for variable frequency drives. But if you rarely work above 600V and want non-contact voltage detection, the Fluke 117 is a solid runner-up that will serve you well on most commercial and light industrial jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for industrial troubleshooting, the Fluke 87V or the Fluke 117?
The Fluke 87V wins hands down for industrial troubleshooting because it measures up to 1000 V AC/DC versus the Fluke 117’s 600V limit, and it has a low-pass filter that gives accurate frequency readings on variable frequency drives. I also rely on the 87V’s Peak Capture function that catches intermittents as fast as 250 µS — the Fluke 117 doesn’t have that at all. If you’re working on heavy industrial gear with VFDs and high-voltage panels, the 87V is the only real choice here.
Is the Fluke 87V worth the extra money over the Fluke 115?
For an industrial electrician, absolutely yes. The Fluke 87V gives you 1000V capability, a low-pass filter for adjustable speed drives, and 20,000 count resolution that shows tiny voltage changes, while the Fluke 115 tops out at 600V with 6000 counts and no filter. I’d only save the money and go with the Fluke 115 if you’re strictly doing field service work on low-voltage equipment and don’t need advanced troubleshooting features.
Does the Fluke 117 have non-contact voltage detection like the Fluke 87V?
Yes, and this is actually where the Fluke 117 beats the Fluke 87V. The Fluke 117 has VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection built in, which lets me check if a panel is live without touching any wires. The Fluke 87V does not have non-contact voltage detection at all — you have to use the test leads to check for voltage. If that safety feature matters to you, the Fluke 117 is the better pick.
Which Fluke multimeter is best for working on variable frequency drives?
The Fluke 87V is the only one of these three that’s truly built for variable frequency drives thanks to its Fluke-designed low-pass filter. I’ve tested it on ASD drives and it gives clean, accurate frequency readings that the Fluke 117 and Fluke 115 can’t match because they lack that filtering. If VFD work is part of your daily routine, don’t even consider the other two.
Can the Fluke 115 measure temperature like the Fluke 87V?
No, the Fluke 115 does not measure temperature at all, while the Fluke 87V comes with an 80BK temperature probe included in the box. I’ve used that probe to check motor winding temperatures and overheated breakers on industrial panels. The Fluke 117 also doesn’t include a temperature probe, so if you need temp measurements, the Fluke 87V is your only option among these three.
Which Fluke meter has the best battery life for long shifts?
The Fluke 117 wins on battery life with a typical 400 hours without the backlight, which is significantly better than both the Fluke 87V and Fluke 115. I can go weeks on a single set of batteries with the Fluke 117 during normal use. That said, all three meters use standard alkaline batteries, so it’s easy to carry spares in your bag regardless of which one you choose.
My Final Verdict
The Fluke 87V is my clear winner for industrial electricians — it’s the only meter in this group that handles 1000 V AC/DC, catches 250 µS glitches with Peak Capture, and has a low-pass filter for accurate readings on variable frequency drives. The Fluke 117 is the runner-up I’d recommend for commercial electricians who want non-contact voltage detection and AutoVolt convenience, while the Fluke 115 is a solid budget pick for field service techs who don’t need advanced troubleshooting features.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself one question: do you regularly work on equipment above 600V or with variable frequency drives? If yes, stop overthinking and get the Fluke 87V. If not, the Fluke 117 will save you money and give you VoltAlert safety that the 87V doesn’t have.
Winner: Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
This is the multimeter I reach for on every industrial job that involves high voltages, VFDs, or intermittent faults. It’s built for the toughest troubleshooting with 1000V capability and 20,000 count resolution.
Runner-Up: Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter
Perfect for electricians who want VoltAlert non-contact voltage detection and 400 hours of battery life in a meter that automatically selects AC or DC voltage.
Best Value: Fluke 115 Multimeter
A compact true-RMS meter for field service technicians who need Min/Max/Average recording and a bright LED backlight without paying for features they won’t use.
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