Heavy Duty is a redesign of the 2007 line of Fluke digital multimeters, addressing upcoming trends and current user dissatisfaction. The final proposal resulted from the collaborative efforts of myself, Esteban Irwin, and Weishung Liu at the University of Washington.
We began our research by interviewing two electricians who worked separately on the University of Washington campus but each used a Fluke multimeter as their primary instrument. Each was impressed by the Fluke meters' durability, pricing, and the flexible bail located on the back of the units, which allows the user to work hands-free by hanging the meter from pipes or other nearby objects. The electricians noted that the units were difficult to read while wearing large arc flash helmets and difficult to handle while wearing heavy gloves. They found that the included probes often got in the way and were difficult to utilize in tight spaces, given their non-flexible, elongated shape. We also learned that the University of Washington would soon be implementing more severe safety regulations, mandating that electricians wear heavy gloves and a helmet at all times when working with live voltage.
Given that several suggestions for improvement related to the electrician's work environment, we began by implementing a second, simplified screen onto the top of the unit, allowing the electrician to get readouts no matter which way the multimeter is propped up. By relocating the battery to the bottom of the unit, we made it possible for the meter to stand on its own. We then incorporated a dual-hinged bail to the back of the meter, making it easier for the electrician to hang the unit on a belt, shelf, or exposed loops much easier. When folded out, the bail reveals a compartment to store the probes when not in use.
Since the University of Washington would be instituting stricter safety regulations, we made several enhancements to accommodate the bulky safety gear. First, we integrated a rugged, textured handle into the body of the meter, making it less likely that the unit would slip during use. Next, we replaced the recessed dial on current Fluke meters with a heavy duty knob on the side, allowing the user to change functions without removing his or her gloves. We also enlarged the buttons on the fact of the unit for the same reason.
Heavy Duty's probe inputs have been relocated from the face of the unit to the side, which keeps the probes out of the user's way. The probes now include a rubber-encased metal hinge, enabling the electrician to safely rotate the end of the probe up to 90 degrees for work in tight spaces.
