Fluke announces recall of digital multimeters

Aug. 21, 2002
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash., is voluntarily recalling almost 40,000 of its 175, 177, and 179 digital multimeters, more than 17,000 of which were sold in the United States. The recalled units can take longer than normal – as many as 18 sec - to display readings of AC voltages above 500V. Users can misinterpret the delayed reading

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Fluke Corp., Everett, Wash., is voluntarily recalling almost 40,000 of its 175, 177, and 179 digital multimeters, more than 17,000 of which were sold in the United States. The recalled units can take longer than normal – as many as 18 sec - to display readings of AC voltages above 500V. Users can misinterpret the delayed reading to mean that high voltage is not present. If high voltage is present, users could be exposed to a risk of shock, electrocution, and thermal burns.

Fluke has received four reports from Canada and Australia, in which users experienced a delayed response while measuring high voltage, though no injuries were reported.

The recalled multimeters measure as high as 1,000VAC and direct VDC. Recalled units have a serial number below 79000000. The serial number is written on the back of the instrument under the hinged stand. Home and hardware stores and industrial distributors nationwide sold these testers from January 2001 through October 2001.

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