Fluke Connect® Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the app cost?

A: The mobile app is free to download on compatible devices from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

There are multiple options for purchasing subscriptions of Fluke Connect® Assets.

Apple Store (iTunes) – One 12 month license subscription costs USD $249.99 Google Play – One 6 month subscription costs USD $149.99

You may also purchase both single and multiple licenses at once for your team. You can get 5-license subscriptions at USD $1,199.99 ($10 discount per license) or 10-license subscriptions at USD $1,999.99 ($50 or 20% discount per license). All multiple license subscriptions require an annual commitment.

Multiple license purchase is only available at flukeconnect.com/pricing.

For more information on subscription options, please read more.

Q: How do I get started?

1. Download the free Fluke Connect® app from iTunes or Google Play
2. Open the app
3. Register
4. If you have a FC3000 DMM or modules, connect it to the app
   1. Press thebutton on the test tool to activate the tool's radio. If you are connecting to the 3000 FC Multimeter, hold down thebutton while turning the DMM on
   2. On your smartphone, go to settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth
   3. In the app, select the correct test tool from the list that automatically appears on the main screen
   4. Save the measurement to your tool and to Fluke Connect
5. If you have a Fluke 805 FC, connect it to the app
   1. Go to start menu in your 805 FC and enable Fluke Connect. The Fluke Connect wireless logo appears in the upper right of screen of the tool
   2. Connect to the 805 FC from the app
   3. Set up a new machine and take a measurement
   4. Save the measurement to your tool and to Fluke Connect
6. If you have a Fluke thermal imager, connect it to the app
   1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network with the name "Fluke" in it
   2. Launch the Fluke Connect app
   3. Connect to the thermal imager within the app
   4. Capture a thermal image and then save it
7. If you don't have a Fluke Connect wireless test tool, you can
   1. Manually enter measurement data into the app, organize it by equipment number, sort by date and share across your team

Q: How hard is it to use the app?

A: The app should be fairly simple to use if you are familiar with both smartphones and Fluke test tools. App navigation like finger swiping may be similar to the OS of your device.

Q: What are the top software features for Fluke Connect Assets?

A:

• AutoRecord™ one-step measurement transfer: Eliminate manual data entry, reducing error and removing the need for paper
• Asset Status and Asset Health dashboards: Decide where to focus efforts by scanning the most recent status updates on key assets and then identify where preventive actions are needed by viewing asset status over time
• Asset Analysis: Visualize multiple measurement types, including mechanical, electrical and thermal, in one view, organized by asset
• Reports: Create reports with accurate and traceable data and then generate custom reports with Asset Analysis data

Read more below for a full view of how Fluke Connect® Measurements and Fluke Connect® Assets compare

Q: What test tools are supported at the Fluke Connect Assets launch?

A: Please see the chart below for more information on which Fluke test tools are designed to work with the Fluke Connect software.

• For the infrared cameras listed above, a Fluke SD WiFi card is needed for the following versions: TiX1000, TiX660, TiX640, Ti90, Ti95, Ti100, 105, 110, 125, and "R" versions (building diagnostics). An SD WiFi card is included with all models but can also be purchased separately.
• When i1010 AC/DC and the i410 AC clamp accessories are attached to the a3002 FC module, you are able to get wireless readouts from your existing clamp accessories.
• Not all models are available in all countries. Contact your local Fluke representative for more information.

Q: When will other Fluke tools become wireless and compatible with Fluke Connect?

A: Fluke is committed to adding products from the test tools portfolio to the Fluke Connect family. Please stay tuned for updates on our website.

Q: How many Fluke instruments can connect to the app at one time? How many readings can I see simultaneously?

A: When using a device running iOS, up to 11 instruments can be connected at one time: 10 using low energy radio and 1 using WiFi; with each instrument sending a reading to be displayed simultaneously on the app.

When using a device running the Android OS, up to 7 instruments can be connected at one time: 6 using low energy radio and 1 using WiFi; with each instrument sending a reading to be displayed simultaneously on the app.

Q: Is there Fluke Connect software for the PC?

A: Yes. Fluke Connect sw3000 software and the accompanying pc3000 USB adapter can be installed on the PC. When you connect a Fluke Connect module to your test point and you are running a Windows-based OS (Windows 7 or newer), you can then view the results on your PC - up to 20 meters (65.6 feet) away.

You can also view and update Fluke Connect® Measurements and Fluke Connect Assets using a web browser on a PC.

Q: Which mobile devices are supported by Fluke Connect®?

A: The Fluke Connect® Assets software is compatible with the following devices:

• iPhone models 4S and up running iOS 8.0 or higher, iPad Air and iPad Mini (2nd generation) in an iPhone frame on iPad and iPod Touch (5th generation)
• HTC One and One M8 running Android 4.4.x or higher
• LG G3 and Nexus 5 running Android 4.4.x or higher
• Samsung Galaxy S4 running Android 4.3.x or higher
• Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 4.4.x or higher

To take advantage of Fluke Connect® Measurements or Fluke Connect Assets, download the free app in Google Play or the App Store by searching for "Fluke Connect".

Q: Will using Fluke Connect increase my data usage?

A: Sharing data between Fluke Connect modules that use low energy radio and the Fluke Connect app on a smartphone should not increase data usage. Using point-to-point WiFi between the app and a thermal imager should also not impact your data usage, though it may use your WiFi bandwidth, possibly inhibiting Fluke Cloud™ communications over WiFi. Using a WiFi network to share data between the app and the Fluke Cloud should have minimal impact while using a cellular network may increase data usage. To manage the settings of when your phone and the cloud communicate, turn off wireless capability on your phone or enable airplane mode and turn on Bluetooth.

Q: Will it affect my battery usage?

Connecting the app to a Fluke Connect test tool will generally use a similar amount of battery usage as connecting your phone to any other low energy Bluetooth device, such as a fitness tracker. Connecting the app point to point with a WiFi-enabled infrared camera uses a similar amount of battery usage as connecting to local WiFi devices in your home or office.

Q: How do the units communicate wirelessly?

A: Each Fluke Connect® tool is designed to use low energy radio or WiFi communication, depending on the amount of data transferred and available battery life. This means that 3000 FC multimeters, modules, the ir3000 FC Connector and the 805 FC vibration meter use low energy radio communication. WiFi is used by tools that typically transfer a large amount of data, like thermal imagers.

Q: Do industrial environments interfere with communications between the modules and app?

A:

• Fluke Connect data transfer is not expected to be impacted by 50/60 Hz noise. Transfers have been tested around high frequency machines including microwaves, cell phones and milling machines. No reported degradation of performance has been discovered during the Fluke wireless tool testing process.
• Other strong WiFi signals in the building/area can distort the signal.

Q: What is the communication distance between the meters and modules?

A: The app and modules communicate up to 20 meters apart, though the distance will vary based on interference from the surrounding environment, whether electrical or physical, e.g. a wall. To achieve the 20 m distance, you should create a line of sight between the test tool and the smart device, with no obstructions between the devices. When test tools are placed behind a closed electrical panel, the communication distance will be reduced to approximately 3 m, depending on the panel configuration, how the modules were placed, or how many obstructions there are.

Q: How long does it take to connect a meter to my phone?

A: It generally takes about 1-5 seconds to connect to one Fluke Connect module, using low energy radio communication. When connecting to multiple Fluke Connect devices at a time, connection time may be longer.

Q: Do I need wireless coverage throughout the plant?

A: No. The Bluetooth and WiFi connections to the smartphone are point to point. In other words, Bluetooth and WiFi can talk directly to matching radios in the phone. In order to upload measurements, an Internet connection via WiFi or cellular data is required.

Q: If I don't have network connectivity (WiFi or cellular data) what happens?

A: Data will be stored locally until the phone has a network connection, at which point the data will be saved in the Fluke Connect Cloud™. If WiFi is turned off, the app will not be able to receive data from thermal imagers.

Q: Can I use ShareLive™ without WiFi?

A: Yes, with a network connection via cellular data. In situations where bandwidth is limited, the ShareLive feature might only allow users to share audio and measurements.

Q: What if I'm out of wireless range and I have to save measurements on my phone? I may run out of memory.

A: Most compatible smartphones have more memory than Ti or 3000 FC tools produce. For example, the smallest memory smartphone has 8 GB. The size of a Ti125 image is typically about 0.5MB and the size of a note you recorded to share is a bit more. Depending on the memory you have available, you could potentially store thousands of thermal images before running out of memory.

Q: Can the Fluke Connect app receive signals or measurements from other Bluetooth devices?

A: No.

Q: How is the app data protected from hackers?

A: Fluke Cloud™ storage infrastructure has been designed to be one of the most secure cloud computing environments available today. Our service provider uses premiere electronic surveillance, multi-factor access control systems and 24x7 staffing at its data centers. Furthermore, servers have built-in firewalls, encrypted data storage and secure access designed to protect your data.

Q: What if someone on my team loses their phone?

A: The Fluke Connect® app requires a personal login. To gain access, we recommend that all smart devices used for company business have a mandatory overall login code and that any proprietary information be locked behind additional security tools and measures. Users also have the option to change their app password via the web user interface, blocking access by any unauthorized person who may have obtained the phone and learned the original password.

Q: Is the information collected by the device secure?

A: Once the information is transmitted to the Fluke Cloud™ storage for a team account, Fluke Connect is designed to permit only those people specifically given access by the administrator to view the data. The administrator specifies who has access to the information for that team, which helps prevent unauthorized users from accessing data.

Q: How long will the data be available for an active account?

A: Under the current terms of service, your data remains on the system until you tell us to delete it. Fluke retains the right to impose a time limit. If you are using Fluke Connect® Assets as a result of a special offer and no longer have an active account, there may be limitations placed on which data is accessible after the promotion ends.

Q: Can I choose who gets to see my data?

The administrator chooses who to share data with. Within Fluke Connect, the administrator can invite a team member via email. Typically, one person within an organization is designated as the administrator and issues the team invitations, centralizing data sharing and access privileges. Once team members accept, they then can share data. With Fluke Connect, your data options are:

• Share data live among team members and not save it
• Save data to the Fluke Cloud, unassigned to equipment or work order, where it is not visible to other team members
• Save data to the Fluke Cloud, assigned to equipment for the team to see
• Email saved measurements to anyone, regardless of whether or not they are a team member

For more information on how an admin delegates licenses to team members, please watch the video.

Q: What are the changes to the Ti125, Ti110, Ti105, Ti100, Ti95 and Ti90? The Ti400?

A: The only change to the Ti125, Ti110, Ti105, Ti100, Ti95 and Ti90 models is the addition of the Fluke SD card to the box. The Ti400 firmware upgrade made in 2014 enables communication with the Fluke Connect® system.

Q: Can I stream thermal video live on the phone?

A: Not at this time. The refresh rate on the infrared camera and the phone is not high enough to support live streaming thermal scanning or video.

Q: Can I share the live image of what the thermal imager sees?

A: No. The refresh rate on the infrared camera and the phone is not currently high enough to support live streaming thermal scanning. We recommend that you save and share still thermal image. To share video, uploading to the Fluke Cloud™ provides an optimal experience for those viewing the video.

Q: Can I upload thermal video via Fluke Connect?

A: Not at this time. This capability is expected to be added in a future release. Please stay tuned for the latest Fluke Connect feature availability on our website.

Q: Will I always be able to access images?

A: Any thermal or digital image that you take and save to the app is saved to the Fluke Cloud, where it will be permanently accessible by you and others on your team with an active app account.

Q: Is the SD WiFi card for thermal imagers off the shelf or designed for Fluke tools?

A: The SD card is Fluke-specific. Off-the-shelf wireless SD cards are not compatible with Fluke thermal imagers.

Q: What is the battery life on the modules?

A: The battery life of the instruments is specified between 45 hours and 300 hours. The specified life is for normal use and logging. Use of the radio will shorten the specified battery life dependent upon how long and how often the radio is used. For most of the standalone modules, a continuous operating period of 1 week can be expected.

Q: Is there a sleep mode for the modules?

A: Yes, the modules will switch over to sleep mode after 20 minutes. The LCD shuts down but it will still be taking normal readings when in Log mode (just as the min-max mode of a DMM). If the radio is active, then the modules will wake up once every 5 seconds to see if there is a need to communicate. If nothing is detected then it should return to sleep mode.

Q: Do the modules have a high enough IP rating to be used in industrial environments?

A: Yes:

• The DMM is rated IP54
• The IP rating of the a3000 FC AC Current Clamp is IP30
• The IP rating of the Temp module is IP42 with thermocouple connected.
• Other modules are IP42
• Thermal imagers are rated IP54
• 805 FC is rated IP54

Q: Can I remotely control a 789 Process Meter to control the loop while connected to the panel?

A: No. The 789 Process Meter will be Fluke Connect-compatible with the addition of the ir3000 Connector. You will be able to read the value being sourced when the 789 is in the ramping or stepping mode. It is not currently possible to change the output mA signal directly from the app.

Q: Can Fluke Connect tools communicate with specific brands of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)?

The Fluke 789 Process Meter, with the addition of the ir3000 Connector, can read an analog value and then communicate that analog value to the phone. There's no direct connection from the phone to the PLC, nor is there any specialized functionality that communicates the PLC channel being measured. Then, you can use the Fluke Connect app to do things like trending values or saving it in the Fluke Cloud for that PLC.