Fluke 5500A Reliability

[briansalomon]

My 5500A fails to execute the full instrument zero procedure. It was sent to Fluke for repair and the issue was resolved but only for a few months, then (after the warranty expired) it returned.

I am currently getting the following errors:
1506 "IDAC counts out of range"
399 "ZOFFSETO"
310 "sequence failed during cal"

After talking to the Fluke repair techs I have the impression that the problems I have seen with this model are not unusual.

Are these problems common?

[Hawaii596]

Seems as though I had one that we put inactive after that problem came up.  Then, after being inactive for a few months, we couldn't remember the particulars, and so one of the techs let it cook for a couple of days, ran the zero cal routine, and the problem disappeared.

I don't know for sure, but my thinking is this is an age related flakiness.  I'd be interested in an authoritative answer from someone in the know as well.

[briansalomon]

In case anyone else has the same type of errors I am seeing with this model I will post the rest of the history on this unit.

Fluke repaired the self zero errors a second time. Obviously, this is very expensive.

The instrument was returned to service without issue for approximately 12 months. It was recently observed to be out of tolerance @ 1ADC. This has been confirmed with two different Keysight certified 3458A DMMs.

The 5500A error is currently -0.142% @ 1ADC. The tolerance on that range is +/- 0.03%.

[ck454ss]

Ive had one for a good 15 years or so and its run flawlessly.  The buttons are finally getting a little touchy but its used all day every day.  Im finally upgrading to the 5522A early next year.  I think its like most equipment some are good and some are bad.

[briansalomon]

If anyone has a multifunction calibrator comparable to the Fluke 5500A that they might be willing to part with it would be of interest.

[DiligentMinds.com]

Relay contacts dirty or worn maybe?  This is why I hate using electromechanical relays in my instrumentation designs-- but sometimes you just have to use them because nothing else will work...

[NC-Cals]

Our 5500A does occasionally have the same ZBIAS zero error. It seems that it happens more when the humidity the lab is high. We also get zero errors if the short is corroded. It usually correct after hitting the reset and cleaning the short. We've owned this unit for years and it has been quite reliable for us. We are also looking to add a 5522A in the relatively near future.

[briansalomon]

If anyone has an alignment procedure or any insight into the alignment of this instrument that would be much appreciated.

[Hawaii596]

For calibrating the lower end meters, we have numerous 5520A's and I think only about one of the 5500A's still in service.  I calibrate and align them.  Just paint by number.  Send me a msg for particular questions.

[briansalomon]

I found the 5500A service manual available in pdf format. Thanks.