REVIEW · MULTIMETERS
Fluke 1587 FC Review
A True RMS multimeter and 50–1000 V insulation tester in one, with PI/DAR tests and Fluke Connect logging to your phone.
By the OhmSavvy Research Team ·
| Model | Fluke 1587 FC |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | True RMS, ±(0.09% + 2) DC V |
| Safety rating | CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V |
| Auto-ranging | Yes (manual override) |
| Best for | Maintenance electricians and motor techs who prove insulation as well as measure volts |
| Review status | Desk research, not bench-tested |
Disclosure: OhmSavvy earns a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. How we're funded.
The verdict
The 1587 FC tests insulation at 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 V from 0.01 MΩ to 2 GΩ, runs PI and DAR timed ratio tests, and won't start a test if it sees more than 30 V on the terminals. Over Fluke Connect it saves readings to the app with TrendIt graphs and temperature compensation. As a meter it's 6000-count True RMS with ±(0.09% + 2) DC volts, a low-pass filter for VFDs, capacitance to 9999 µF and temperature from −40 to 537 °C. It's rated CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V. Current tops out at 400 mA with no 10 A jack, the case is only IP40 and the warranty is 3 years.
Consider it if
- ✓You megger motors, cables or switchgear and want the insulation tester and the DMM in one 4 × AA body
- ✓You need test voltages below 500 V, such as 50 V or 100 V for low-voltage control wiring and sensitive equipment
- ✓You trend winding insulation over time and want PI and DAR results saved to a phone through Fluke Connect
- ✓You check drive outputs and want a low-pass filter plus a K-type thermocouple input on the same meter
Skip it if
- ✕You measure motor or branch-circuit current through the leads: there is no 10 A jack, and the top range is 400 mA
- ✕You never perform insulation-resistance tests; a general meter like the Fluke 87V fits that work better
- ✕Your site is wet or dusty, since the case is rated only IP40 (non-operating)
- ✕You only ever test at 500 V or 1000 V and readings past 600 MΩ don't matter to you, which is the Fluke 1577's territory
The trade-off: The 1587 FC swaps the high-current input and lifetime warranty of a general meter like the Fluke 87V for a built-in megohmmeter with five test voltages and app-based PI/DAR records. Against its sibling, the Fluke 1577, you get 50, 100 and 250 V settings, a 2 GΩ ceiling instead of 600 MΩ, tighter DC volts accuracy and capacitance, temperature and frequency functions. The cost of that combination is a meter that can't read more than 400 mA, so most owners pair it with a clamp meter.
Key specifications
- Accuracy
- True RMS, ±(0.09% + 2) DC V
- Safety rating
- CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V
- Auto-ranging
- Yes (manual override)
- Best for
- Motor, cable and insulation testing
Checked against the manufacturer's official product page or datasheet and the official Amazon listing when this model was added to our guide.
Strengths and limitations
Reasons to buy
- +Insulation test 50–1000 V up to 2 GΩ with PI/DAR
- +Fluke Connect wireless logging and trend graphs
- +Low-pass filter and temperature input
Reasons to avoid
- −mA current only (400 mA max), no 10 A input
- −IP40 case and 3-year warranty
Performance assessment
We haven't bench-tested this unit. This assessment is based on its published specifications and on what those specifications mean in practice. How we research.
Insulation testing: voltages, ranges and accuracy
Fluke lists five test voltages (50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 V) with a +20% / −0% tolerance, so the applied voltage is never below the setting. Each range has its own ceiling: 50 MΩ at 50 V, 100 MΩ at 100 V, 250 MΩ at 250 V, 500 MΩ at 500 V, and 600 MΩ at 1000 V, extending to 2 GΩ at 1000 V only. Accuracy is ±(1.5% + 5 counts) at 250 V and above, so a 200 MΩ result at 500 V carries about ±3 MΩ plus five counts. Above 600 MΩ the band widens to ±(10% + 3): a 1.50 GΩ reading means roughly 1.35 to 1.65 GΩ. That's fine for pass/fail and for trending, but treat the gigohm figures as indicative rather than precise. Nominal test current is 1 mA.
Safety first: how to run an insulation test
An insulation test puts up to 1000 V (plus the 20% tolerance) on the conductor, so it belongs only on equipment that is de-energized, locked out and tagged out, and only in the hands of a qualified person trained for the task. Verify absence of voltage with a rated meter first. The 1587 FC refuses to start if it sees more than 30 V on its terminals, but that interlock is a backstop, not a substitute for lockout/tagout. Disconnect drives, surge protection and electronics that the test voltage could damage, keep hands off the leads and the circuit while the test runs, and let the circuit discharge afterward. Fluke specifies automatic discharge in under 0.5 s for 1 µF or less, with 1 µF as the maximum capacitive load, so long cable runs may hold charge longer: confirm zero volts before touching anything. If you aren't trained for this work, hire a licensed electrician.
PI, DAR and Fluke Connect records
A single megohm reading tells you about one moment; the polarization index (the 10-minute reading divided by the 1-minute reading) and the dielectric absorption ratio (60 s over 30 s) show whether insulation keeps improving as it charges. As an illustrative example, 400 MΩ at one minute and 1,000 MΩ at ten minutes gives a PI of 2.5, above the 2.0 figure commonly cited from IEEE 43 for most motor insulation classes. The meter runs these timed tests itself, and over Fluke Connect the app stores results, plots them with TrendIt graphs and applies temperature compensation, which matters because insulation resistance falls as windings warm. On-meter logging memory isn't stated in our sources, so plan on using the phone app for records.
The multimeter side, in numbers
As a meter it's a 6000-count True RMS unit with ±(0.09% + 2) DC volts. On the 600 V range that resolves 0.1 V, so a 480.0 V DC reading is good to about ±0.63 V (0.432 V plus two counts). AC volts are ±(1% + 3) at 50–60 Hz, widening to ±(2% + 3) up to 5 kHz, and a low-pass filter helps on variable-frequency drive outputs. Resistance runs from 0.1 Ω to 50 MΩ, capacitance to 9999 µF, frequency to 99.99 kHz and temperature from −40 to 537 °C at ±(1% + 10) with the included K-type probe. The safety rating is CAT IV 600V / CAT III 1000V.
The current limit and other gaps
Current is the weak point. Fluke lists only 60 mA and 400 mA ranges, AC and DC, protected by a 0.44 A fuse and allowed a 600 mA overload for two minutes at most. That covers control circuits and 4–20 mA loops, but a fractional-horsepower motor drawing 1.5 A is already almost four times the top range, so running current needs a clamp meter. Kits that add the I400, 62MAX+ or MDT accessories have their own Amazon listings; the one we link is the bare meter. The case is IP40 in non-operating conditions, the drop rating isn't stated, and the warranty is three years, extendable to five with registration within 45 days according to the data sheet, an offer Fluke says may end without notice.
Battery life, size and spec conflicts
Four AA cells are rated for 1000 hours of meter use and at least 1000 insulation tests, which Fluke defines as 1000 V into 1 MΩ, 5 seconds on and 25 off. The body measures 5.0 × 10.0 × 20.3 cm. Two published details disagree: Fluke gives the weight as 550 g while Amazon's item weight says 1645 g (we use Fluke's figure), and fluke.com describes the included case as soft in one place and hard in another, so check the box contents before relying on either. We haven't bench-tested this meter; everything here comes from Fluke's published data and the Amazon listing.
Alternatives to consider
Fluke 1577
The basic insulation multimeter: 500 V and 1000 V only, a 600 MΩ ceiling and no app, for routine megger checks.
Fluke 87V
No insulation test, but a 10 A input, higher DC accuracy and a lifetime warranty for general troubleshooting.
Fluke 87V MAX
IP67 and a 4 m drop rating for wet, rough sites where insulation testing isn't part of the job.
Fluke 289
Logs live faults on the meter itself with 50,000 counts, for intermittent problems rather than insulation proof.
Where to buy the Fluke 1587 FC
We link to the official Amazon listing. Prices change often, so check the current price at the retailer before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Fluke 1587 FC replace a dedicated megohmmeter?+
For low-voltage motors, cables and switchgear tested at up to 1000 V, it covers what many maintenance electricians need, including PI and DAR. It doesn't offer test voltages above 1000 V, and its readings beyond 600 MΩ carry a ±(10% + 3) tolerance, so medium-voltage equipment and high-resolution gigohm work call for a dedicated insulation tester.
Does the Fluke 1587 FC measure amps?+
Only small currents. Fluke lists 60 mA and 400 mA ranges, AC and DC, behind a 0.44 A fuse, with no 10 A input. That handles control circuits and 4–20 mA signals. For motor or circuit load current, use a clamp meter. The 1587 FC kits sold on Amazon are separate listings from the bare meter we link.
Which test voltage should I use for a 480 V motor?+
Follow the motor maker's documentation first. As a general reference, 500 V DC is commonly cited from IEEE 43 for windings rated below 1000 V, and the 1587 FC offers that setting. Never test a motor that is still connected to a drive or energized, and have the work done by qualified personnel under lockout/tagout.
Do I need the Fluke Connect app to run PI or DAR tests?+
Fluke lists the PI and DAR timed ratio tests as meter functions, and the app adds memory storage, TrendIt graphs and temperature compensation. Our sources don't state on-meter logging memory, so if you need a saved history of insulation readings for each motor, plan on recording through the app on a phone with the 2.4 GHz radio link.
How much does the Fluke 1587 FC weigh?+
Fluke's data sheet says 550 g, while the Amazon listing gives an item weight of 1645 g. The two figures conflict; we use Fluke's. Either way, at 5.0 × 10.0 × 20.3 cm it's a full-size meter that rides in a case or bag rather than a pocket.
Is the Fluke 1587 FC hands-on tested by OhmSavvy?+
No. This review is desk research against Fluke's published specifications and the official Amazon listing, which is why the page shows a desk-research status rather than a tested badge. The worked numbers above are arithmetic on Fluke's specs, and the PI example is illustrative, not a measurement we made.
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