Meter-maker Fluke is recalling 40,000 multimeters after discovering that some of them can take up to 18 seconds to display AC voltages above 500V, possibly leading users to believe that no voltage is present, with potentially hazardous consequences. Although no injuries have been reported so far, the company is recalling early versions of its 175, 177 and 179 digital multimeters (DMMs), produced between January and July last year.

Fluke says that users of the 170 series DMMs do not need to worry if the serial number of their meters are followed by an R, of if the number is 79000001 or higher.

The bulk of the meters affected - about 17,200 - were sold in the US market although the problems are more likely to occur outside the US where higher voltages are more common. The alarm was raised by four reports of problems from Australia and Canada.

According to Ken West, Fluke`s UK marketing manager for industrial tools, only a "limited number" of meters in the UK are affected by the recall, and the company`s distributors are contacting affected customers directly. For more information visit the Fluke Web site and llook for the safety notice in the News section.