Fluke 117 vs 17B+: Real World Test

I needed a reliable meter for two very different jobs: wiring a new home office and fixing a fried circuit board. I grabbed the Fluke 117 for the house wiring and the 17B+ for the bench work. Here is how they handled the actual work in my hands.

My Experience with the Fluke 117

I spent a week using the 117 while rewiring my garage. The first thing I noticed was the speed. I did not have to mess with dial settings constantly. I just held it up to a wire, and the VoltAlert beeped if it was live. That feature alone saved me time.

I also tested it on a “dead” switch that was showing weird readings on my cheap meter. The cheap one showed 45V, which made no sense. I switched the 117 to LoZ mode. It dropped to zero immediately. It was just ghost voltage. The 117 filtered it out perfectly. It feels great in the hand, but I missed having a milliamp range when I tried to check a small sensor later.

Pros and Cons

My Experience with the Fluke 17B+

After the garage, I moved to my workbench to fix a broken air purifier. The 117 was useless here because I needed to measure a tiny current draw. The 17B+ was the right tool. It has dedicated settings for milliamps and microamps.

I hooked it up to check the capacitor temperature. The included probe was spot on. It took a few seconds to settle, but the reading was stable. The dial feels solid, though not as snappy as the 117. It is a bit bigger and clunkier to hold in one hand. It lacks the “ghost voltage” filter, so I would not trust it as much for troubleshooting old house wiring. But for the bench, it did everything I asked.

Pros and Cons

Details Comparison for Fluke 117 vs 17B+

Here is the raw data from my testing notes. I broke this down into the five areas that actually mattered while I was working.

Core Measurement Capabilities

The biggest difference is in what they can measure. The 117 is for buildings. The 17B+ is for components. If you need to measure heat or tiny currents, the choice is clear.

Accuracy and Speed

I ran both meters against a precision voltage source. The 117 is faster to settle. The 17B+ takes a split second longer to give you the final number.

Display and Usability

The 117 is built for one-handed use on a ladder. The 17B+ is built to sit on a desk. You can feel this difference immediately when you pick them up.

Safety Ratings

Both are safe, but the 117 is designed for higher energy environments. I felt safer using the 117 on the main breaker panel.

Battery Life and Build

I left both on by accident at least once. The 117 uses a 9V which is easy to swap. The 17B+ uses AA batteries, which I usually have more of in the drawer.

Conclusion

If you work on 110V or 220V wiring in a house, get the Fluke 117. The ghost voltage detection and non-contact sensor are vital for safety. If you fix electronics, appliances, or need to check temperatures, get the Fluke 17B+. It has the small current ranges that the 117 completely lacks.