Fluke 116 Review: The HVAC Multimeter Built for Furnace Work
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Top pickFluke 116Check price
The Fluke 116 is Fluke’s HVAC version of its popular 110-series meters. It keeps the compact body, True-RMS voltage, capacitance and LoZ mode, then swaps the usual amp ranges for the two things furnace and condenser work needs most: a DC microamp range for flame sensors and a Type K temperature input.
Specs at a glance
Best for: Residential and light-commercial HVAC service techs who need flame sensor, capacitor and temperature checks in one meter.
- True-RMS AC volts to 600 V
- AC and DC microamps: 600.0 uA range, 0.1 uA resolution (flame sensors)
- Type K temperature -40 to 752 F (-40 to 400 C), 80BK probe included
- Capacitance to 9999 uF; resistance to 40 Mohm; frequency to 50 kHz
- Auto-V/LoZ mode
Why it stands out
- Microamps, temperature and capacitance cover the core furnace and condenser tests
- Includes 80BK Type K probe
- LoZ mode for ghost voltage
- 3-year warranty and long battery life
Keep in mind
- No 10 A current input; you still need a clamp meter for amps
- No built-in non-contact voltage
- Expensive next to Klein or UEi meters with similar HVAC functions
What the Fluke 116 does well
- Flame sensors. The 600.0 uA DC range with 0.1 uA resolution is exactly what a flame rectification test needs. Most general-purpose meters, including the Fluke 117, cannot do it.
- Capacitors. Capacitance reads to 9,999 uF, which covers run capacitors and most start capacitors.
- Temperature. A Type K input with the 80BK bead probe included reads from -40 to 752 F for delta-T and quick line checks.
- Ghost voltage. The Auto-V/LoZ mode loads the circuit to rule out induced voltage on long control runs.
- Battery life. One 9 V battery lasts about 400 hours, according to Fluke.
Where it falls short
- No amp ranges. The 116 has microamps only. There is no mA or 10 A input, so you need a clamp meter for compressor and motor amp draw.
- No non-contact voltage. The 117 has VoltAlert built in; the 116 does not.
- Price. It sits in Fluke’s pro tier. Meters from Klein, UEi and Extech offer some of the same HVAC functions for less, with tradeoffs in capacitance range or build.
Who should buy it
Residential and light-commercial service techs who check flame sensors, capacitors and temperatures daily, and who already carry or plan to carry a clamp meter. Apprentices building a first kit can start with a value meter like the Extech EX330, which is covered in our HVAC multimeter guide.
Fluke 116 alternatives
- Fluke 117: same body with a 10 A input and VoltAlert, but no microamps or temperature. See the full Fluke 116 vs 117 comparison.
- Extech EX330: a budget meter with microamps and temperature; capacitance tops out at 200 uF.
- An HVAC clamp meter: models like the UEi DL389B add microamps and 4,000 uF capacitance to a clamp, so some techs skip a separate multimeter entirely. See our clamp meter guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Fluke 116 measure amps?
Only microamps. It reads up to 600.0 uA AC and DC, which is designed for flame sensor testing. It has no mA or 10 A ranges, so use a clamp meter for motor and compressor current.
Does the Fluke 116 come with a temperature probe?
Yes. Fluke includes the 80BK Type K bead probe. The meter reads from -40 to 752 F. A pipe clamp thermocouple is sold separately or comes in the 116/323 kit.
Is the Fluke 116 True-RMS?
Yes, for AC voltage. That keeps readings accurate on variable-speed and inverter equipment.
What safety rating does the Fluke 116 have?
CAT III 600 V, which covers equipment disconnects and branch circuits.
Keep reading
Sources
Specifications and product details were checked against these sources:
