Fieldbus test tool

Fluke has introduced two models to its range of colour ScopeMeter test tools with automated test capability for Fieldbus, Profibus and other industrial communication protocols.

The ScopeMeter 225C (200 MHz, 2.5 GS/s) and 215C (100 MHz, 1 GS/s) include all the features of the 199C and 196C.

Both are designed for maintenance specialists who keep automation and process plant equipment operational.

The instruments feature easy signal validation of all the critical signal parameters like amplitude and noise, and have floating and fully isolated inputs for true differential signal measurements on 2-wire differential bus systems.

They let users verify the electrical integrity of bus and network, performing physical layer tests and getting answers quickly and easily.

The instruments can validate signal quality as soon as electrical signals are passed along the network, without looking at data content. They help in finding errors like improper cable connections, bad contacts, incorrect grounding and missing or superfluous terminators.

The independently isolated input channels and the floating inputs mean that they can take truly floating differential measurements from balanced 2-wire systems like RS-485 and CAN.

One input channel can measure the voltage between the two signal wires and at the same time the other can independently measure the common mode voltage over ground.

All ScopeMeters allow users to perform basic electrical tests like copper resistance and isolation on an electrical system or a cable. They also have extensive network signal analysis capabilities.

The instruments include FFT analysis for identifying individual frequency components contained in a signal. The TrendPlot paperless recording function helps uncover long-term trends and shows changes in any of the measurable parameters (like the rise time of a signal).

The ScopeRecord function lets waveform recordings be made for up to 48 h and the replay function lets the user take a closer look at any anomaly seen flashing on screen, by replaying the last sequence of 100 screen images.