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In our user research, we observed electricians often work in boxes jammed with wires, where finding a safe metallic contact point can be a challenge, in a situation that can be dangerous. At Fluke, we want to address this pain point to find a safer solution. The new Fluke T6 with a non-contact voltage feature (FieldSense Technology), the user can take a reliable voltage measurement by sliding an accessible wire to the open fork, eliminating the need to search for metallic points with a test leads. Not only will this make it safer. The user can also get the amperage reading with the FieldSense technology, which saves time by combining two separate measurements into one.
As the lead industrial designer, I was tasked to find a one-handed form factor that users’ can confidently hold the device firmly while measuring in a dangerous environment. Also, an open-jaw that can accommodate different diameters of conductive wires that can easily access a tight panel box.
Later on the product development, we discovered some users were getting the wrong electrical readings during our validation testing. Through in-depth user research to find the root cause, we found two main issues. First, the users were not able to get the required capacitive grounding while holding the device, which we need to find a way to add a physical ground button to parts that are already in the final tooling review and a solution that will not affect the aggressive project schedule. Second, users didn’t know where to place the conductive wire on the jaw to get the accurate reading. (See slide 4 for design solutions addressing these two main issues)
Fluke first non contact voltage tester