Electrical Test Equipment History
Multimeters, lab scopes, test lights and network diagnostics in automotive use.
When was Fluke founded?
Short answer: John Fluke founded the John Fluke Manufacturing Company in 1948.
John Fluke founded the John Fluke Manufacturing Company in 1948. Fluke became known for electronic test tools, and its digital multimeters became widely used by automotive technicians.
What was the Simpson 260?
Short answer: The Simpson 260 was a popular analog volt-ohm-milliammeter made by Simpson Electric.
The Simpson 260 was a popular analog volt-ohm-milliammeter made by Simpson Electric. It was widely used by technicians for decades before digital meters became dominant.
How long have test lights been used in automotive electrical work?
Short answer: Simple incandescent test lights have been used for decades to check for power and ground.
Simple incandescent test lights have been used for decades to check for power and ground. As vehicles added computers, technicians learned that high-current test lights could damage sensitive circuits, and LED or computer-safe test lights became popular.
Why did technicians switch from incandescent test lights to LED test lights?
Short answer: Incandescent test lights draw more current, which can damage sensitive electronics.
Incandescent test lights draw more current, which can damage sensitive electronics. LED and computer-safe test lights became popular as vehicles added more electronic modules.
When did digital multimeters become common in auto shops?
Short answer: Digital multimeters became common in the 1970s and 1980s.
Digital multimeters became common in the 1970s and 1980s. Their high input impedance and precise readings made them better suited than older analog meters for testing electronic engine controls.
Why did high-impedance meters become necessary for automotive electronics?
Short answer: Older analog meters could draw enough current to affect low-current electronic circuits.
Older analog meters could draw enough current to affect low-current electronic circuits. As computer controls spread, high-impedance digital meters became necessary so readings would not load or damage sensitive circuits.
Why were carbon pile load testers common in shops?
Short answer: Carbon pile testers apply a heavy adjustable load to a battery to check its ability to deliver current.
Carbon pile testers apply a heavy adjustable load to a battery to check its ability to deliver current. They were common in shops for decades before conductance testers became popular.
Why did conductance battery testers become popular?
Short answer: Conductance testers estimate battery condition without applying a heavy load.
Conductance testers estimate battery condition without applying a heavy load. They became popular from the 1990s onward because they are fast, compact and do not create the heat or sparking associated with load testing.
How did charging system testing evolve?
Short answer: Charging systems were once tested with voltmeters, ammeters and carbon pile load testers.
Charging systems were once tested with voltmeters, ammeters and carbon pile load testers. Integrated testers later combined battery, starter and alternator tests, and modern vehicles with computer-controlled charging added scan tool checks.
When did inductive amp clamps become common for automotive testing?
Short answer: Inductive amp clamps measure current without breaking a circuit.
Inductive amp clamps measure current without breaking a circuit. Low-amp clamps became common with lab scopes and meters in the late twentieth century, helping technicians test starters, fuel pumps and ignition coils.
Why did parasitic draw testing become more important over time?
Short answer: Vehicles gained memory, alarms, modules and electronics that draw some current when parked.
Vehicles gained memory, alarms, modules and electronics that draw some current when parked. Parasitic draw testing became more important as these loads grew, because a faulty module can drain a battery overnight.
How did circuit testers evolve beyond simple test lights?
Short answer: Simple test lights evolved into logic probes, LED testers and powered circuit testers.
Simple test lights evolved into logic probes, LED testers and powered circuit testers. These tools added features such as polarity indication and circuit powering for faster diagnosis.
Why did logic probes find use in automotive diagnostics?
Short answer: Logic probes, borrowed from electronics work, show whether a signal is high, low or pulsing.
Logic probes, borrowed from electronics work, show whether a signal is high, low or pulsing. They found automotive use as vehicles adopted digital sensors and switching circuits.
How did portable jump starters evolve?
Short answer: Portable jump starters began as heavy lead-acid packs used by shops and tow operators.
Portable jump starters began as heavy lead-acid packs used by shops and tow operators. Lithium-ion jump starters later became popular because they are much smaller and lighter.
Why did memory savers come into use?
Short answer: As vehicles added radios with presets, computer memories and module settings, disconnecting the battery could erase them.
As vehicles added radios with presets, computer memories and module settings, disconnecting the battery could erase them. Memory savers that maintain power during battery replacement came into use to preserve those settings.
General guidance only. Follow the vehicle and tool manufacturer's procedures, and confirm vehicle coverage on the tool maker's list before buying.