I have the same meter (SC680) you were testing and I don't get any phantom amps when using the amp clamp and turning the wireless button on. You may have gotten a faulty meter, I would definitely contact field piece and have them send you a replacement. Hope this was helpful.
I've had the SC680 for a couple years now. I just double checked and I don't have any issue with the ghost amperage. The first meter I received had a broken clamp arm with very little use. The new one replaced under warranty has been quite solid for a couple years of everyday use. I've compared the amp reading to my Fluke 902 and the FP is definitely more accurate. LOL it's not 18" it's about 11.75". That's still a long meter, but very manageable. It works very well for fractional hp motors like draft inducers that my 902 would have trouble reading. Also, the variance in reading depending on where the conductor is positioned in the clamp is less than the 902 as well. I realize there are marks on the clamp to gain the optimized reading, but that's not always feasible.
Solid review. Let us know what FP says about the extra 2 amps and ghost voltage. Seems odd that they would miss that. Hopefully it’s just your meter and they replace it
That’s kinda what I was thinking it was be until I saw Adam’s comment below yours. Now I’m wondering if it’s in all of them. Emailed Fieldpiece the video, so waiting to hear back now. I’ll definitely update. Thanks for checking it out!
Used one of these for years. Switched to FLUKE 87 V MAXX, Never looked back. Being a lite-comercial tech the Only thing I missed was the ability to check rotation. Picked up a "B&K Precision Model 302" off of Ebay. Not only does it read rotation of in coming power, but it can tell me rotation of a motor if I spinn the shaft. A time saver when settling up VFD's before the power is on. I dont really use this feature but the FP meter isn't fast enough to read inrush current. Where the FLUKE 902 gets in sync with the ring of the inrush current to measure correctly. The 87 reads peak, average and min voltage/current. These are very useful troubleshooting an intermittent problem. Using the optional clamp on my 87 to read amps down to 0.3 amps is very useful in low voltage circuits. You can quickly move down a circut to find the power hog. I generally don't use auto-range, but FLUKE displays OL while FP displays 0.0 THIS CAN GET YOU KILLED. The temp probes need to be both connected on the same sides for accurate readings. It will change readings if only one is connected. But a DVM is probably not the best choice for getting accurate temperature readings.
Hey did ever get a different one? If so, what were the results? If not, what did fieldpiece say about it? My 660C does kinda the same thing with the wireless off. No near as bad though. I’ve never used it wirelessly because I don’t have and I not going to buy the transmitter. I was thinking about upgrading but after seeing this, it’s also a deal breaker for me unless the issue has been solved. Let me know. Thanks
Thank you so much for your review of the Fieldpiece sc680. I was on the verge of buying this unit. Thank heavens I saw your video before I pushed the buy button. I recently have bought into the Job Link system, and I think an amp prob is the only thing I don't have for my Job Link Probe system. I was desperately wanting to retire my Fluke amp clamp with this tool, since the Job Link system has proven so valuable in reducing my time in the heat, by allowing me to close my tickets so much more quickly. I was really salivating, when I saw it had dual temperature probes, and can even show the Delta T in the display! Then so very importantly, it would also replace my need to pack my megger for checking windings in ECM motors. Dude I was ready to buy one this very evening . I was going to push the buy button this very night But that was before I saw your review. So for me it's a soul crusher that a tool built primarily as an Amp Clamp fails in its primary function. I love every other field piece item I've ever bought. Sad, so sad.
Thanks for checking it out, I did reach out to Fieldpiece about the problems I was having and they sent me a new meter that did not suffer from the same issues. I posted an update video. If you scroll through the comments there were quite a few other guys that have experienced the same amp issues, and I’m not sure if they were able to get their meter replaced or not.
I Just picked up the 680 and mine doesn't' show any amp draw when I activate the Wireless Readout.... You should get in touch with Fieldpiece and let them know you have a faulty Meter..... Nice review bud....
Right on, yea they ended up sending me a new meter. Replacement hasn’t had the same issue. Had a few other guys reach out to me saying theirs did the same thing, must have been an early model glitch
Thankyou much sir.... I'm a 20-year veteran in the trade I have 3 sc640's and they all work wonderfully....I was thinking about buying a few sc680s but I'm not so sure that I'm going to do that now ... However unless Maybe there's some way to calibrate and fine tune the amperage correctly in wireless mode?great review and I very much appreciate it sir....
First off, why do you have 3?? I have a fluke 179 true RMS and a testo back up meter. lol I have 3 of the same meter should not be a starting sentence. Fieldpiece is and has always been a joke to the HVAC industry. 26 year veteran here so yeeeeahhh!
Is it possible that you can share the first few digits of the serial number on the new meter you have that’s operating correctly? I remember years ago when the SMAN gauges first came out I bought they had a issue with the gaskets going bad on the gauges and they was prone to leaking. I called Fieldpiece and they told me that the first batch of gauges they produced had these issues and they told me about the serial # beginning with (I can’t remember because it’s been years) was bad and they sent me a new one and I haven’t had any problems since.
HVAC Tool Review Thank You! I’m going to pay attention to the serial #’s when I purchase mines. And thanks for the video I’ve learned so much from it!!
Check your video at the 6:38 mark. You had the meter set to the wrong setting. You were on Hz/% setting, which is meant to be used with/thru the test leads only. I can also say the the sc480 that I own does not have the "ghosting" issue with volts & amps when the wireless feature is turned ON. My screen reads all 0000 on both displays. You are correct about the Hz "thru the clamp" not reading until there is at least a 5 amp load on the circuit. I can verify that the sc56 (older meter), sc440, & the sc660 all will display a Hz reading thru the clamp with less than 1 amp of load on a circuit. Hope that info will help. 😎👍
You are correct. Good catch, meant to note that I realized I had it on the incorrect parameter after the fact. Once I set it to the correct hz through the clamp setting I got intermittent results until about 5 amps. I believe the manual stated that at least 7 amps were required to read HZ, but I think 5 is where mine started reading. That's Good to know about the sc480, I was wondering if it would have any similar issues. Either way the replacement that FP sent me no loner has the issue.
I had the sc660 and I sold it and bought the sc460 it’s a good meter, but I did just order the sc680 I believe all the issues are resolved now, good video
I hope that they are. The replacement they sent me seems to work fine. I still don’t like how big it is so I find that I continue to use my 902 more often, but the bugs seem to have been worked out
@@HVACToolReview It's way out of warranty but I can still do what I need to do with it. I'm thinking about getting this one but it's making me nervous to see they still have the same issues and I want it to be fully compatible with measure quick. Is that thing even capable of receiving firmware updates?
Great review. Very thorough. I have this meter too. I am hoping FP firmware update will resolve most issues. The < 7amp Freq is a downer for sure...With so many inverters, I’m seeing, some of these deficiencies are really glaring on an otherwise well made instrument.
Doesn’t show all simultaneously, I believe you can scroll through and see the others by hitting select to see the other parameters. I’ll try to remember to double check tomorrow and confirm with you
I’m on my second replacement after the amp clamp has failed twice. I don’t use this meter very often and I’ve only had it about a year. Fieldpiece has been great about warranty replacements but it’s still a hassle. Thanks for the video.
When did the 680 come out? I didn’t think it had been out for a year yet. Glad yours is working well, seems there are a few others having the same issues I was.
It’s been close to a year. I talked to Fieldpiece about it in January of last year when I had an issue with my 660. And they told me about the 680 that would be coming in the fall but it actually came in the summer I believe
I ordered this product and to my surprise when I turn it on I immediately see phantom voltages and amperages. I will return trutechtools right away and give it a second chance otherwise I will have to buy Fluke.
I bought my meter from Tru-Tech tools and it's doing the same thing yours is doing so I emailed them and they sent me a replacement meter and my second meter still doing the same exact thing... Now I have a meter that I don't know whether to trust it or not just because it is off like that
Wow so probably not just an isolated problem. Odd that there is no other info on this, maybe most just haven’t noticed yet? Pretty unfortunate. I emailed Fieldpiece and sent them the video. We will see what they say
Hozer Hvac I wish I went with that redfish too. Fieldpiece just released this meter Sc680 when I was going to get the redfish meter. So needless to say I brought the fieldpiece sc680 meter hoping that Jim Bergmann would incorporate this meter into measure quick to go with the fieldpiece probes
What is your budget? I typically always recommend the 902fc its been a solid meter, although they did just have a major recall. Just posted a video on it
Ivan Hall the new meter doesn’t have the phantom voltage and amperage readings but I have experienced a few other issues since then. Every so often it seems to lock up when taking a volt reading, and will display 0v even if there is live voltage present. If I cycle it off then on it will begin reading voltage correctly. I’ve experienced too many issues in the short amount of time I’ve owned it to recommend it, which is why I have not updated the title.
I see is one of the comment chains that HVAC Tool Review guy stated 2 years ago "I reached out to FP directly and they sent me a new meter, new one is not having the same issue. You should reach out to their warranty department." maybe HVAC Tool Review guy has stopped posting ! In reading all the posts on this issue, It would be fair to surmise that the multiple meters that were listed as having similar issue might have been due to manufacturer quality control issues. It would be more of a fair review for FP if HVAC Tool Review guy would come back on and clarify if this issues and if it's been totally resolved or not. The reason I'm stating this is that I am looking at purchasing the complete set of Field Piece tools that use the Job Link software system.
I was just going to buy one. I'm glad I've seen this review, thank you so much I will hold off with my purchase.... hey maybe it's picking up 5G signal antenna!!!! :)
Haha never know! Fieldpiece actually sent me a new meter, haven’t had a chance to test it out yet, but hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to run it through it’s paces.
Im using a Fieldpiece sc440 it’s pretty good, but I’ve been wanting to upgrade, been looking at the Fluke 902, i have a Fluke 87v and i love it, but it doesn’t check amperage with out an extra attachment, I have alway used Fluke and still think its the best, but Fieldpiece keeps adding all these bells and whistles lol what I would like to see is inrush between these two meters, to see which one is faster, i know the Fluke 902 doesn’t actually have inrush but it can be achieved by pressing the Min/Max it would be amazing if you could do a short video of this. Thanks !
Yea I’ve got the 87 and the 116 but it’s so much easier to have a built in amp clamp. I’ll definitely get a video of that, should have thought to do it in my initial video of the sc680
Just so you know, Inrush & Max are not the same thing. Two totally different current "captures". Inrush only captures the 1st 100ms of current as the compressor is kicking out of the locked rotor state of start up. When a unit is starting properly, the Inrush current will be very close to the LRA rating on the data plate. MAX will be a much lower reading. 👍
Although the replacement they sent me did not have the same issues. So my I just got a lemon. I have heard from others that have experienced the same problems tho
I am not a HVAC guy, I am a Electronics Engineer and Field Systems/Network Engineer however I have almost all Fluke and a afew Klein tools. I was wondering about getting this meter as Ive had 3 people not be able to figure out the zoning AC and not get one of them to work even after they replaced parts. So figured if I can build a PCB and actually build devices and fix them and I have some electrical knowledge why can't I figure out my own AC issues. The last guys were the last straw telling me to change my ducts as it can't handle the airflow or push out air as good as the second unit. But my AC worked on those same ducts fine for alittle over a decade. Figuring its getting too hot and I need my AC so figured I get a sc680 because it has the W for Watts thinking great I don't have to do the math for Volts and Amps to get Watts. Did they ever send you a replacement? The Phantom volt and amps would drive me nuts. The size of a meter won't bother me as I carry a 20lb with 20in screen laptop not a wannabe laptop without speed, but battery lasts 19 hours I'm happy with a gaming laptop with balls even if the battery life is 2 hours. My tool bag weights about 85 lbs so its what I carry up and down stairs or ladders. Whats your opinion on the Fluke 378fc?
I got mine a week or 2 ago and I am not impressed. I wish I could return it to johnstone supply. It didn’t read 120v today ON THE LINE SIDE of a contractor and it also messed up on a capacitor reading today 3 MFD and a fluke said 33 MFD and a south wire that’s 60 bucks ready 33MFD. If a meter messes up on me it is dead to me. Out almost 400 bucks😡🤬
Yeah that's pretty much how I feel. I've actually had it do the same thing with the line voltage readings a couple of times. I wasn't sure that's what happened, so I didn't mention it here. Initially, I was second guessing myself thinking maybe one of the leads was just loose, second time really made me wonder wth was going on. Now it really just confirms those suspicions. Maybe message FP and return directly? They were easy to work with for me, could get a new replacement and sell it. I stick with my fluke
@@12pullz Keep in mind the electronics in these meter's all are the same, just like electric drill's, TV's etc. You can go on Amazon and see bad reviews for every meter out their including fluke.
Sorry Bro, the problem is you bought a piece Fieldpiece. Just go back to fluke, yeah you got to have 4 meters to do the same job but you’re better off.
Yea I’m not sure how that slipped through. Pretty crazy. New meter they sent me doesn’t have the problem but I’ve heard from a few other people now that have experienced it on theirs as well
