Fluke 114 Electrician's Multimeter
β PROS
- True RMS AC/DC voltage measurement with 0.5% basic DC accuracy β reliable readings on non-sine wave drives
- LoZ (low impedance) mode eliminates ghost voltages β a genuine safety feature for troubleshooting
- CAT III 600V safety rating with input protection β built to survive industrial panels
β CONS
- No current measurement capability β you'll need a separate clamp meter for amps
- Lacks a backlight on the display β frustrating in dim panel boxes or outdoor work
- No auto-ranging off option β advanced users who want manual range lock will be disappointed
The Verdict
The Fluke 114 doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. It’s a focused tool for one specific job: measuring voltage accurately and safely in commercial and industrial settings. If you’re a residential handyman who needs to check amps and resistance too, this isn’t your meter. But if you’re an electrician who lives in breaker panels, this might be the only multimeter you need on the truck.
What You Actually Get
The box includes the Fluke 114, a pair of TL75 silicone test leads with sharp stainless steel probes, the proprietary 9V battery (installed), and a flexible red holster with a built-in probe holder. The holster isn’t just a rubber sleeve β it has a magnetic hanging strap and a tilt stand that actually works. The whole package weighs 12.6 ounces and fits comfortably in a tool pouch.
Performance and Real-World Use
The core of this meter is its dual voltage measurement capability. You get 600V AC and 600V DC with true RMS sensing. That matters more than most shoppers realize. If you’re measuring VFD outputs or checking variable speed drive signals, a standard averaging meter will give you readings that are 10-20% off. The Fluke 114 handles distorted waveforms accurately.
The LoZ mode is the standout feature. When you switch to low impedance, the meter puts a load on the circuit that bleeds off ghost voltages β those phantom readings you get from capacitive coupling on disconnected wires. One reviewer noted, “I was chasing a ghost voltage issue for hours with my old meter. The LoZ function on the 114 found the actual problem in under a minute.” That’s the real-world value here.
The display is large and clear, with 6000 counts and a bar graph that updates 32 times per second. You can see voltage fluctuations in real-time without the numbers blurring together. The auto-ranging is fast β under half a second to settle on most measurements.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
Across 240 ratings at 4.8 stars, the pattern is clear. Electricians love the build quality. One commercial electrician wrote, “I’ve dropped this meter off a 12-foot ladder onto concrete. It still reads dead-on accurate.” Another said, “The CAT III rating isn’t marketing fluff β I’ve hit live 480V panels and this meter didn’t flinch.”
The battery life is another consistent theme. Fluke claims 300 hours on a single 9V, and multiple reviewers report getting six months to a year of daily professional use before replacing it. The auto-off feature kicks in after 20 minutes, which helps preserve battery when you get distracted on a job.
Where It Falls Short
The most glaring omission is the lack of current measurement. There’s no amp jack on this meter β you can’t measure current at all. That’s a deliberate design choice to keep the inputs simple and safe, but it means you’ll need a second tool for troubleshooting motors or checking load draws.
The display has no backlight. For a meter that costs this much, that’s a legitimate frustration. Working in a dark panel box or on a dim rooftop means angling the meter toward whatever light source you have. A $30 multimeter from Harbor Freight has a backlight; the Fluke 114 doesn’t.
There’s also no manual ranging mode. You’re stuck with auto-ranging. Most of the time that’s fine, but when you’re testing for continuity on long wire runs, a manual range lock would give you faster, more stable readings.
Who Should Buy This
This meter is ideal for licensed electricians, HVAC techs, and industrial maintenance workers who primarily troubleshoot voltage issues. If you work with VFDs, motor controls, or three-phase systems, the true RMS and LoZ features justify the price immediately.
Skip it if you’re a DIYer working on cars or household wiring. You’ll want a meter with resistance, capacitance, and current measurement β something like the Fluke 117 or a cheaper auto-ranging meter from Klein or Extech.
FAQ
Q: Can this meter measure resistance and continuity? Yes, it measures resistance up to 40 MΞ© and has a continuity beeper that responds in under a millisecond. The beeper is loud enough to hear in a noisy industrial environment.
Q: Is the Fluke 114 safe for measuring 480V three-phase systems? Yes. It’s rated CAT III 600V, which covers three-phase distribution panels up to 600V. The input protection includes a 10A fuse and high-energy MOVs that absorb transients.
Q: Does it come with a case? It comes with a rubber holster, not a hard case. The holster has a built-in probe holder and a magnetic strap. If you need a hard case for storage, you’ll need to buy one separately.
The Verdict
Buy it if you’re a professional who needs accurate voltage readings on modern electrical systems and you want a meter that survives being kicked, dropped, and used daily. The LoZ feature alone is worth the upgrade from cheaper meters.
Skip it if you need current measurement, work in low-light conditions, or you’re a homeowner who needs a general-purpose tool.
Rating: 4.6/5 β Deducting half a star for the missing backlight and another fraction for the lack of amp measurement. But for its intended purpose β voltage troubleshooting in commercial environments β this is the best tool in its class.
Where to Buy
π Check Price on Amazon β
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.