Datasheet

5 Fluke Corporation 2638A Hydra Series III Data Acquisition System/Digital Multimeter
Memory management
The main panel memory key
opens a simple menu for man-
aging data files and setup files.
If you want to load a previ-
ously saved setup file for a test,
simply select your file from either
internal memory or from a USB
drive and you are ready to start
scanning. You can easily move
stored internal data to a USB for
PC analysis or move setup files to
another 2638A. With Hydra Series
III you have easy access to data
without the need for a direct PC
connection.
To help safeguard your test data
in the case of a power outage,
the 2638A has a menu selection
to resume scanning in the same
configuration immediately when
power is restored. It is just another
way the 2638A works with and
protects your data.
Flexible triggers and
resolution
To begin a scan, you have several
options that can be set in your test
setup menu:
• External trigger
• Remote SCPI command
• Alarm trigger
• Time interval trigger
• Manual trigger initiated from
the front panel
Measurement resolution is at your
control with the 2638A. You can
choose between standard set-
tings of Fast, Medium or Slow (4.5,
5.5, 6.5 digits) for the resolution
you need. You can also select
custom measurement speeds on
individual channels to get the
accuracy and resolution to suit
your requirements.
Totalizer
A totalizer input located on the
rear panel provides a simple coun-
ter that records to the data file
on every scan. The totalizer count
can accumulate up to 1,048,575
counts and be reset from the front
panel or remote command.
Channel statistics
Each channel’s measurement
statistics can be viewed at any
time. During scanning, monitor-
ing or in DMM mode, you have
rate-of-change (per minute and
per second), standard deviation,
minimum, maximum, peak-to-
peak, and average—all available at
the touch of a button.
Connectivity
USB (virtual serial port) and LAN
interface connections are avail-
able for easy connection to your
company network or direct to you
PC. Use Fluke DAQ application
software for the 2638A or develop
your own interface with the stan-
dard SCPI command set, or use our
Lab View driver or Indusoft Web
Studio to support your specific
application needs.
Category II international
safety ratings
The Hydra Series III is the only
general purpose portable data
acquisition system with an IEC
Category II safety rating to help
protect you and your opera-
tors when making real-world
measurements on machinery in
industrial areas. Other data loggers
that are not clearly rated for these
types of category measurements
should be reviewed before being
used for industrial measurement.
Fluke takes your safety and your
measurements seriously.
A note on measurement safety
An instrument’s safety ratings should always
be reviewed before performing any electrical
measurement. Data loggers should not be an
exception to that rule.
It is sometimes mistakenly assumed that a high
voltage input specification on a data logger
makes it safe to use on or near industrial equip-
ment or to monitor mains power. This is not
always the case. The Fluke Hydra Series III was
designed specifically to meet stringent CAT II
safety standards.
CAT I