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8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter

This product is discontinued. Please see the 8588A Reference Multimeter for an improved alternative.

8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter
Technician Using a Fluke 8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter
8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter accessory kit
8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter
Technician Using a Fluke 8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter
8508A 8.5 Digit Reference Multimeter accessory kit
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  • Highlights
  • Description
  • Specifications
  • Models and Accessories
  • Knowledge and Information

Reference standard accuracy and stability, in one functionally versatile, easy-to-use solution

The 8508A is an 8.5-digit resolution instrument designed specifically for metrologists. With superior accuracy and stability over a wide range of measurements, the 8508A is designed to serve as a versatile precision measurement tool for calibration laboratories that must meet increasingly stringent measurement uncertainty analysis requirements demanded by ISO 17025, as well as the need for increased productivity.

Need lower resolution?

Fluke also offers 6.5 and 5.5 digit multimeters.  See all Fluke benchtop multimeters.

Introducing Fluke's Newest 8.5 Digit Multimeters

The 8508A is being replaced - see the new 8558A 8.5 Digit Multimeter and the 8588A Reference Multimeter.

With the introduction of the 8508A, Fluke Calibration has created a new product category – the reference multimeter – specifically for metrology applications. The 8508A Reference Multimeter draws upon decades of Fluke Calibration expertise coupled with our acquisition of Wavetek-Datron to deliver unmatched accuracy and stability; functionality and versatility; and ease of use. The 8508A replaces the former Wavetek 1281.

Superior performance and accuracy… with outstanding stability

The 8508A features 8.5 digit resolution, exceptional linearity and extraordinarily low noise and stability, producing what are arguably the most accurate measurements to be had from any commercially available product today. But that’s only part of the story. Measurements must be repeatable today, tomorrow, next week, even next year. That’s why stability must be treated with the same priority as accuracy. The 8508A demonstrates 365 day stability as low as 2.7 ppm, with a 24 hour stability of 0.5 ppm, ensuring that confidence in today’s measurement can be the same as it was yesterday or last year.

Increased functionality and versatility

Metrologists need to make many diverse measurements as part of their complex duties. To achieve this frequently requires a complex array of instruments. The 8508A provides an extraordinarily broad range of measurement capability. This means you can undertake a wider range of applications, and perform most of your measurement requirements with a single instrument, providing real economies in time and money.

Easy to use

Human error and misunderstanding of measurement setups often have severe impact on measurement accuracy. Such errors are often due to impenetrable or complex user interfaces and lack of user familiarity. The 8508A’s clear control structure with Dual ParamatrixTM displays and context sensitive menus provides a transparent, logical and intuitive mechanism with which to interact with the instrument. Consistent with the philosophy of designing a product specifically for metrologists, the command and menu configuration is constructed to ensure rapid, error free access to complex measurement setups. It means that you can focus on getting the best possible results, without needing complex sequential or multi-instrument setups, or the need to perform complex mental arithmetic or math to achieve the desired result.

A multiple-measurement workhorse

The robust characteristics of the 8508A permit replacement of eight other measurement devices by one multi-measurement precision unit. The replaceable devices are:

  • multimeter
  • resistance bridge
  • voltage divider
  • null detector
  • ac/dc transfer standard
  • precision thermometer
  • ac/dc shunt resistors
  • electrometer/pico-ammeter

Voltage measurement

With DC and AC ranges from 200 mV to 1 kV, the 8508A covers all your voltage measurement needs. Full 8.5 digit resolution is available on all ranges to provide resolution down to 1 nV. Bandwidth for AC measurements extends to 1 MHz. Excellent linearity, coupled with Ratio measurement capability, means that the 8508A can replace Kelvin Varley dividers and AC/DC voltage transfer standards, improving your measurement efficiency in one simple, single box solution.

DC volts performance highlights

  • Ranges: 5, From 200 mV to 1000 V
  • Maximum Measurement: 1050 V
  • Resolution: user selectable from 5.5 to 8.5 digits
  • Maximum Sensitivity: 1 nV

AC volts performance highlights

  • Ranges: 5, from 200 mV to 1000 V
  • Resolution: user selectable from 5.5 to 6.5 digits
  • Maximum Bandwidth: 1 MHz
  • Maximum Sensitivity: 100 nV

Current measurements

The 8508A features a remarkable new current measurement system. For the first time, resistance at the input is virtually zero. This means that measurements can be much less invasive, and present virtually zero burden to the measurement points. It also offers the advantage that complex guarding schemes are now largely unnecessary, and measurements can be made more reliably, more repeatably and with greater confidence. Ranges from 200 µA to 20 A and frequencies from 1 Hz to 100 kHz, again ensure that all of your measurement needs are covered including the high currents encountered when calibrating multi-function calibrators.

Resistance measurement

With ranges from 2 Ω to 20 GΩ and resolution as low as 10 nΩ, the 8508A can truly be described as the ultimate resistance measurement system. Add to that a high compliance of 200 V and a high measurement current of 100 mA, and you can begin to understand how the 8508A can help extend the range of your resistance measurements. But performance of the resistance measurement system doesn’t end with just specifications. Attention to measurement technique helps further improve your results. For example, when making ratio measurements, the same current is forced through both resistances, and only the measurement is switched. Measurement current is reversible to eliminate errors due to thermal effects.

  • Ranges: 10Ω, 2Ω to 20 GΩ
  • Resolution: user selectable from 5.5 to 8.5 digits
  • Maximum Sensitivity: l0 n
  • Maximum Compliance Voltage: 200 V
  • Maximum Measurement Current: 100 mA

Temperature measurement

To further extend your range of measurements, the 8508A offers temperature measurement through 2, 3, or 4-wire PRT’s or SPRT’s, with a temperature range from -200 ºC to 660 ºC. With simultaneous temperature and resistance readout, ITS-90 and Callendar van Dusen Linearization’s the 8508A is an ideal tool for both temperature measurement and PRT calibration applications. As with resistance, current reversal is used to remove thermal emf errors. This greater flexibility provides the means to increase the overall range of your scope of precision measurements, and to realize better uncertainty on many of the measurements you might already perform with less than ideal equipment.

  • Two-wire, three-wire and four-wire Ohms with current reversal
  • Range: From -200 ºC to 660 ºC
  • Resolution user selectable from 5.5 to 8.5 digits
  • ITS-90 linearization
  • Readout: ºC, ºF, K or Ω

As well as conventional front input terminals, the 8508A can optionally be equipped with a duplicate set of rear input terminals. This can be invaluable in making ratio measurements, which are available on both voltage and resistance functions. They also provide the mechanism for forcing the same current through two resistances to improve resistance ratio measurements.

Summary Specifications
Voltage DC
Range:  0 to ± 1050 V
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 3 ppm of reading
Voltage AC
Range:  2 mV to 1050 V, 1 Hz to 1 MHz
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 65 ppm of reading
Current DC
Range:  0 to ± 20 A
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 12 ppm of reading
Current AC
Range:  2 µA to 20 A, 1 Hz to 100 kHz
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 250 ppm of reading
Resistance
Range:  0 to 20 GΩ
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 7.5 ppm of reading
Temperature
Range:  Range: -200 °C to 660 °C
Best 1 Year Absolute Specification:  ± 2.5 m °C*
Calibration Documentation
17025 accredited report of calibration included

*Typical equivalent measurement uncertainty for 100 Ω PRT/SPRT probe at 0 °C

Model Name Description
8508A

Reference Multimeter

8508A/01

Reference Multimeter with front and rear input binding posts

Accessories common to all models:

Accessory Description
8508A/CASE

Transit Case

8508A-7000K Calibration Kit

8508A Calibration-support-kit for use with characterized 5720A Multifunction Calibrator

8508A-LEAD

Comprehensive Measurement Lead Kit

8508A-PRT

Platinum Resistance Thermometer

8508A-SPRT

Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer

Y8508

Rack Mount Kit

Y8508S

Rack Mount Kit Slides

Priority Gold Instrument CarePlan

Fluke Calibration Priority Gold Instrument CarePlans are available for most calibration products. Please contact your local Fluke Calibration sales representative for details or to request a quote. You may also call the Customer Care Center at 877-355-3225 or send email to careplans@flukecal.com.

Silver CarePlan

Fluke Calibration Silver CarePlans are available for most calibration products. Please contact your local Fluke Calibration sales representative for details or to request a quote. You may also call the Customer Care Center at 877-355-3225 or send email to careplans@flukecal.com.

Product Manuals
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started Supplement (487.19 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started Manual (English) (753.45 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Manuel d'introduction (French) (716.65 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Erste Schritte (German) (724.88 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started (Ita) (723.77 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started (Spa) (718.47 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A スタート・マニュアル(日本語) (852.19 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started (Chinese) (853.78 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Getting Started (rus) (860.66 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (241.89 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (chi) (366.43 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (fre) (237.1 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (ger) (238.83 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (ita) (233.64 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A 安全情報(日本語) (345.23 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (rus) (281.58 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Safety Information (spa) (236.05 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Service Manual (3.23 MB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Service Supplement (86.86 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Statement of Memory Volatility (English) (17.71 KB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Users Manual (2.26 MB)
application/pdf icon 8508A Users Supplement (382.5 KB)
Application Notes
application/pdf icon Characterizing & Disciplining Electrical Calibrator Instrumentation to Improve Test Accuracies & Measurement Uncertainties (154.06 KB)
application/pdf icon How Cables and Connectors Impact Measurement Uncertainty (866.44 KB)
application/pdf icon Maximizing Your Reference Multimeter, Minimizing Measurement Uncertainties (4.37 MB)
application/pdf icon 让参考级数字多用表发挥最大作用 (601.77 KB)
application/pdf icon Migrating from DC Voltage Dividers to Modern Reference Multimeters (2.86 MB)
application/pdf icon Precision in Practice: Achieving the best results with precision Digital Multimeter measurements (62 KB)
application/pdf icon Principles of Metrology (400.44 KB)
application/pdf icon Understanding Specifications for Precision Multimeters (448.83 KB)
Brochures
application/pdf icon 8508A Reference Multimeter Brochure (2.76 MB)
application/pdf icon 8508A リファレンス・マルチメーター・カタログ (4.86 MB)
application/pdf icon 8508A 八位半高精度标准数字多用表 (4.49 MB)
Data Sheets
application/pdf icon 8508A Reference Multimeter Accessory Guide Data Sheet (1.35 MB)
Papers / Articles
application/pdf icon Calibrating Precision Multimeters Using a Characterized Multifunction Calibrator (268.09 KB)
application/pdf icon 使用多功能校准器特性修正技术校准高精度数字多用表 (1.4 MB)
application/pdf icon Making Accurate DC Voltage Measurements in the Presence of Series Mode AC Signals. (86.33 KB)
application/pdf icon Watch Out for Those Thermoelectric Voltages! (Cal Lab Journal reprint) (1.82 MB)
application/pdf icon How to Maintain Your Confidence (268.33 KB)
application/pdf icon A Poor Man’s Resistance Bridge (488.74 KB)
Specifications
application/pdf icon 8508A Reference Multimeter Extended Specifications (1.87 MB)
application/pdf icon 8508A リファレンス・マルチメーター拡張仕様 (4.47 MB)
On-Demand Webinars
Applying Measurement Uncertainty to Digital Multimeter and Clamp Meter Calibration
Press Releases
Calibrating 8.5 digit digital multimeters more precisely and efficiently
Ratio calibration—what’s the big deal?
Safety, Service, and Product Notices
application/pdf icon END OF LIFE NOTICE: 8508A Reference Multimeter (357.65 KB)
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