Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter from Fortive Corp. - Compact tool built for US job sites
01.07.2026 - 14:52:49 | ad-hoc-news.de
By Nora Whitfield, ad hoc news Accessories & Components Desk. Reviewed July 01, 2026, 8:52 AM ET. Details in the imprint.
Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter sits snugly in one hand while you’re crouched in front of a humming breaker panel, the rubber holster warm against your palm and the backlight cutting through the dusty utility-room air. It’s a compact, US-focused tool that shows why Fortive keeps investing in the Fluke brand.
Designed for working electricians
Fortive’s Fluke 117 is positioned squarely at working electricians and building maintenance crews in the US, with a feature mix tailored to typical residential and light commercial jobs like panel work, outlet testing, and HVAC service. Official product data from Fluke It’s part of Fortive’s core test and measurement portfolio rather than a consumer gadget, but it still shows up in US big-box stores and online retailers.
The multimeter’s housing is compact and slightly curved, with a bright yellow overmold around a gray body that makes it easy to spot in a cluttered toolbox on a dim job site. A Home Depot listing Electrician and YouTube trainer Mike Holt has called Fluke meters a practical standard in many US training labs, and the 117’s layout reflects that heritage: big rotary dial, clear range markings, and input jacks that are recessed but easy to reach with gloved fingers.
Safety, NCV and true RMS
One of the headline features for the Fluke 117 is its built-in non-contact voltage (NCV) detection, branded as VoltAlert, which lets electricians quickly check for live mains without exposing metal probes. Fluke’s own blog You hold the meter near a conductor or outlet; the display area flashes and an audible beep sounds if voltage is present, giving a quick first safety check before you dig deeper with leads.
The meter is rated CAT III 600 V, which means it’s designed for distribution-level circuits up to 600 volts in typical building environments rather than just low-voltage electronics. The official Fluke 117 datasheet It also offers true RMS measurement, allowing more accurate readings on modern loads with non-sinusoidal waveforms such as variable-speed drives, compact fluorescent lamps, and switch-mode power supplies. That’s increasingly relevant as electricians encounter mixed lighting and HVAC controls in older US buildings.
Fortive and the Fluke test portfolio
For readers tracking Fortive Corp. stock (NYSE: FTV, ISIN US34959J1088), the Fluke 117 sits inside a broader test-and-measurement segment that feeds recurring demand from electrical trades.
Real-world use on US sites
In practice, the Fluke 117 is built for fast, one-handed checks rather than long bench sessions. Standing in a narrow apartment hallway during a panel upgrade, you can cradle the meter in your left hand while flicking the rotary switch with your thumb, then tap the backlight button as the ceiling light kicks off with the breaker. US retailers like Amazon emphasize the compact form factor and the utility of the backlight for dim spaces.
Fortive’s product managers regularly point to features like the automatic AC/DC voltage selection, which reduces the chance of a wrong-range mistake during quick checks, and the integrated low-input impedance (LoZ) function, which helps avoid ghost voltage reads on long runs. A Fluke press release That LoZ feature is especially appreciated in older US buildings where long, parallel runs can create misleading stray voltages.
Specs, pricing and availability
The Fluke 117 measures AC and DC voltage up to 600 V, AC current via clamp accessories, resistance, frequency, and capacitance, all within a 6,000-count display that balances resolution and clarity. The datasheet lists basic DC voltage accuracy at ±0.5% + 2 digits and shows an operating temperature range of -10 °C to +50 °C, which covers many US indoor and mild outdoor jobs.
The meter ships with test leads, a magnetic hanger option on some kits, and a soft case on bundled variants, though the core SKU is typically just the meter and standard leads. Industrial distributor Grainger lists different kit numbers with added accessories like a C117 carrying case and TL175 TwistGuard leads, targeting maintenance departments that prefer ready-made bundles.
US channel presence and price points
In the US, the Fluke 117 is widely available through electrical distributors, industrial suppliers, and mainstream online platforms. At the time of writing, major US retailers list the meter itself in a range roughly around $230 to $260, depending on configuration and whether a kit with a case or hanger is included. Home Depot pricing shows a kit with accessories, while other retailers lean toward bare-meter listings.
The multimeter is part of Fortive’s test and measurement portfolio that leans heavily on professional channels, which tend to prioritize reliability and safety approvals over bargain pricing. Fluke meters have long been viewed by many electricians as mid-to-high range tools, not budget devices, and the 117 sits firmly in that segment. That price positioning supports Fortive’s broader strategy of selling durable instruments with multi-year lifespans rather than chasing the lowest entry-level cost.
Design choices and ergonomics
Fortive’s Fluke unit in Everett, Washington, has over time refined the Fluke handheld meter design to emphasize readability and control placement for gloved or calloused hands. Product designers like Fluke’s long-time engineering lead Marcel van der Voort have talked publicly about the importance of the cursor-like feel of the rotary dial: not too loose, not too stiff, with tactile detents that are easy to feel without looking. Fluke engineering blogs describe similar thinking.
On a busy job, those choices matter. The 117’s large, central display with big digits and a distinct backlight button just below the screen allow a quick glance and confirmation even when your safety glasses are smudged or the room light is marginal. The meter’s slightly tapered lower end makes it more comfortable to hold for extended periods compared to blockier meters, and the rubber overmold helps absorb small drops and knocks typical of daily site work.
Comparisons within Fortive’s Fluke line
Within the Fluke portfolio, the 117 sits near other electrician-oriented meters like the 115 and 116, each fine-tuned for different roles. The 115 is more general-purpose, often chosen for bench or automotive tasks, while the 116 adds HVAC-specific functions like temperature measurement and microamps for flame sensors. Fluke’s multimeter comparison guide suggests the 117 for “electricians working in commercial and industrial environments” where built-in VoltAlert and LoZ are valued.
Against entry-level meters from other brands, such as some Klein Tools or Extech units that target a lower price bracket, the Fluke 117 typically differentiates on build quality, safety certification depth, and long-term calibration support. Fortive’s Fluke division maintains calibration and repair centers across the US, and that service structure underpins the premium perception among institutional buyers like hospitals, schools, and manufacturing plants that standardize on a particular meter family.
Regulatory and safety framing
From a regulatory standpoint, the Fluke 117 complies with relevant IEC standards for measurement devices and carries UL listing and CE marking as documented in its manual and datasheet. The CAT III 600 V rating is not just a sticker; it reflects creepage distances, insulation design, and fuse selection engineered into the meter. The Fluke datasheet shows 10 A fused current inputs and overvoltage protection details, which are critical for safety-conscious facility managers.
Fortive has emphasized safety in investor presentations too, positioning Fluke as one of several brands that help customers reduce risk and downtime in industrial and building infrastructure. In practice, US electricians often mention that inspectors and training programs favor recognized names in test equipment, and using a Fluke meter like the 117 can make compliance discussions smoother on complex commercial projects.
Fortive context and stock angle
Fortive Corp. acquired Fluke years ago and has since developed the test and measurement portfolio as part of a broader strategy around essential industrial technologies, including instruments, software, and automation solutions. Fortive’s earnings releases often break out segment performance, and test and measurement remains a meaningful contributor. For US investors, the Fluke 117 itself is just one SKU in a sprawling catalog, but it embodies the durable, repeat-demand character of Fortive’s instrument business.
Fortive Corp. stock (NYSE: FTV, ISIN US34959J1088) reflects performance across multiple industrial segments, and while a single multimeter model will not make or break the share price, steady demand for tools like the Fluke 117 supports recurring revenue from trades, contractors, and institutional buyers.
Key facts about the Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter
- Product: Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter
- Manufacturer: Fortive Corp., via its Fluke Corporation subsidiary
- Category: Accessories & components (handheld electrical test instrument)
- Launch: First introduced in the late 2000s as part of Fluke’s electrician-focused DMM line; still in active production
- MSRP / Price: Typically around USD $230-$260 in the US, depending on configuration and kit
- Availability: Widely available through US electrical distributors, industrial suppliers, and online retailers, including big-box home improvement chains
- Target audience: Professional electricians, building maintenance teams, facility managers, and HVAC technicians needing a compact, safety-rated meter
- Standout / USP: Combines true RMS measurement, CAT III 600 V safety rating, non-contact VoltAlert detection, and low-input impedance (LoZ) in a compact, one-handed form factor designed for US job sites
This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Securities trading carries risks up to total loss.
