LUX METER FT3425 HIOKI

The Crucial Role of Illumination Meters

In today’s diverse environments, from workplaces and educational institutions to retail spaces and homes, proper illumination is not just about visibility; it’s fundamental to productivity, safety, and well-being. Insufficient or excessive lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, errors, and even accidents. This is why accurately measuring light intensity, or illuminance, is a critical task for professionals across many sectors. A high-quality lux meter provides the essential data needed to ensure lighting conditions comply with relevant standards, optimize energy consumption, and create comfortable, safe, and efficient visual environments for all occupants.

Meeting Global Standards for Accuracy

This advanced lux meter is designed to meet stringent international standards, ensuring the reliability and comparability of its measurements. It complies with DIN 5032-7: 1985 class B and JIS C 1609-1: 2006 general AA class. These certifications are a testament to the instrument’s high precision and performance, guaranteeing that its readings are accurate and traceable to recognized benchmarks. The silicon photo diode used as the light-receiving element is specifically chosen for its spectral response, which closely matches the human eye’s perception of brightness, ensuring that the measurements are truly representative of how light is perceived by people. This adherence to global standards makes the meter suitable for professional applications worldwide, where accuracy and compliance are paramount.

Flexible Ranging and Impressive Linearity

The lux meter offers exceptional flexibility with its auto and manual range selection, allowing users to adapt the device to various lighting conditions. In auto mode, the meter intelligently adjusts its sensitivity to the ambient light, providing convenience for general measurements. For more controlled or specific applications, the manual mode allows users to lock into a desired range, which can be particularly useful for precise comparative measurements. Furthermore, the meter boasts impressive linearity of ±2% rdg., ensuring consistent accuracy across its measurement spectrum. Even for high illuminance levels exceeding 3000 lx, the device maintains its linearity by a multiplication factor of 1.5, demonstrating its robust performance across a wide dynamic range, from dimly lit spaces to intensely bright areas.

Responsive Measurements and Data Output Capabilities

Speed and connectivity are vital for efficient light assessments. This lux meter delivers quick readings with a response time of within 5 seconds for auto range and an even faster within 2 seconds for manual range. This rapid response allows professionals to quickly survey large areas or track changing light conditions effectively. Beyond direct display, the instrument features a D/A output, providing an output level of 2 V/range f.s. (with 2.5 V output if the range full scale is exceeded). This analog output has an impressive accuracy of ±1% rdg. ±5 mV (at display count). This D/A output is a powerful feature, enabling the meter to be integrated into larger data acquisition systems, allowing for continuous logging and real-time monitoring of illuminance data, crucial for automated lighting control systems or detailed environmental studies.

Smart Functions for Enhanced Usability

This lux meter is equipped with a comprehensive set of smart functions designed to enhance user convenience and data management. The timer hold function allows users to capture readings after a set delay, ensuring stable measurements, especially useful when avoiding shadows from the user’s hand. A robust memory function enables the saving of up to 99 measured data points, facilitating post-measurement analysis and reporting without needing to manually record each reading. The standard hold function freezes the current display value for easy notation. For energy conservation, auto power-off is included. A configurable buzzer sound provides audible feedback, and a backlight ensures clear readability in poorly lit environments. Additionally, a zero adjustment function allows for precise calibration and ensures accurate baseline readings.

Versatile Measurement Ranges for Every Need

The lux meter offers an impressive array of measurement ranges, ensuring its applicability across virtually any lighting scenario, from the faintest glow to the brightest daylight conditions.

• 20 lx range: Captures very low light levels, from 0.00 lx to 20.00 lx, with 1 count step resolution, ideal for assessing emergency lighting or artistic displays.
• 200 lx range: Measures from 0.0 lx to 200.0 lx, also with 1 count step, suitable for residential lighting or dim corridors.
• 2000 lx range: Covers 0 lx to 2000 lx, with 1 count step, perfect for general office spaces or classrooms.
• 20000 lx range: Extends to 00 lx to 20000 lx, offering 10 count step resolution, necessary for bright retail environments or industrial workshops.
• 200000 lx range: Reaches up to 000 lx to 200000 lx, with 100 count step, for outdoor lighting, sports arenas, or specialized industrial applications. This wide dynamic range, coupled with varying display steps, ensures optimal precision and readability for every measurement.

Modern Connectivity and Global Wireless Support

Recognizing the need for modern data transfer, this lux meter offers advanced interfaces. Both models, the FT3424 and FT3425, come equipped with USB 2.0, allowing for direct connection to a PC for data transfer and instrument configuration. Crucially, the FT3425 model exclusively features Bluetooth® 4.0LE. This wireless capability provides immense flexibility, enabling remote data acquisition, monitoring, and transfer to smart devices or computers without physical cables. The wireless operation of the FT3425 is supported in a wide array of countries and regions globally, including major economic zones like Australia, Canada, EU member states, Japan, and the United States, among many others. This extensive wireless support ensures seamless integration into modern workflows across different geographies, though users must be aware of local regulations regarding radio wave emissions.

Power, Portability, and Comprehensive Accessories

Designed for both portability and extended use, this lux meter is powered by two LR6 Alkaline batteries, providing an exceptional 300 hours of continuous operation when Bluetooth® is OFF, and a still impressive 80 hours when Bluetooth® is ON. It can also use R6 Manganese batteries or be powered via USB bus power (5 VDC), offering versatile power options. Its compact dimensions of 78 mm W × 170 mm H × 39 mm D and lightweight design (310 g for FT3424, 320 g for FT3425, including batteries) make it highly portable and easy to handle in any environment. The product comes with a comprehensive set of included accessories: an instruction manual, the AA/LR6 Alkaline batteries, a protective sensor cap (with strap), a soft carrying case, an instrument strap, a USB cable, and a CD with USB driver and dedicated PC application software. The FT3425 also includes a guide on precautions for radio wave-emitting equipment, ensuring a complete and ready-to-use solution for professional illuminance measurement.