Fluke T5

Fluke engineers have now developed a new technology called FieldSense

that also uses open fork method of non-contact measurement of up to
1000 V ac, which now means test leads are no longer needed for voltage
measurement (provided unit is grounded – see how it works below).

How FieldSense works

Fluke uses the “open-fork” measurement method on the T5 to detect a
magnetic field, which is used to derive an ac current, but for ac voltage
measurements an electric field needs to be detected, which is where
FieldSense was developed.

The way in which Fluke engineers solved this was to create a reference
signal of known amplitude and frequency, which is grounded through
capacitive coupling (path between contact point on tester, the operators
hand and earth ground), so when the “open-fork” is placed over a live
conductor, the ac electric field interacts (combines) with the reference
signal and the resulting composite waveform is detected by an electronic
sensor within the tester, which then after amplification, processing and
digital calculations the voltage and frequency measurements are derived.
When a capacitive path to ground is not available (like when an operator is
wearing gloves, or on a ladder), then the black test probe can be connected
to an earth point so a FieldSense measurement can be made.

How FieldSense works

Fluke uses the “open-fork” measurement method on the T5 to detect a
magnetic field, which is used to derive an ac current, but for ac voltage
measurements an electric field needs to be detected, which is where
FieldSense was developed.

The way in which Fluke engineers solved this was to create a reference
signal of known amplitude and frequency, which is grounded through
capacitive coupling (path between contact point on tester, the operators
hand and earth ground), so when the “open-fork” is placed over a live
conductor, the ac electric field interacts (combines) with the reference
signal and the resulting composite waveform is detected by an electronic
sensor within the tester, which then after amplification, processing and
digital calculations the voltage and frequency measurements are derived.

When a capacitive path to ground is not available (like when an operator is

wearing gloves, or on a ladder), then the black test probe can be connected
to an earth point so a FieldSense measurement can be made.
Difference between voltage detection and
FieldSense
There are many voltage detectors on the market like the pen style probe,
which lights up when a voltage is present, but this is the limitation of a
detector, it simply shows that a voltage is present, not what the voltage is.
The advantage of using FieldSense technology is that an accurate ac
voltage measurement can be made without making contact with a live
conductor.
Common applications include:
 Wire runs in conduit and junction boxes
 Feed circuits coming into motors (up to 200A)
 Distribution panels
 HVAC equipment
 Disconnects
 Conduit cases (using the black test lead for grounding)
The benefits of using the Fluke T6 and FieldSense
include:
 Safer voltage measurements can be taken
 Faster troubleshooting by measuring through the open fork
around a conductor
 Can measure voltage and current at the same time