Choosing a calibration standard for a busy lab usually comes down to a trade-off: buy several dedicated sources, or buy one instrument that covers most of the workload. The Fluke 5500A was designed to end that debate. It is a discontinued bench-top multi-product calibrator that still shows up on the used market, and this listing offers one at USD 22,500.00.
Quick Verdict
If your calibration lab needs one instrument that can source DC and AC voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, and temperature simulation, the Fluke 5500A is a proven way to consolidate that workload. At USD 22,500.00 for a used unit, it is a serious capital decision, but for facilities that calibrate a broad mix of electrical and temperature instruments, the all-in-one design can replace several single-function references.
Who It Suits
The 5500A is built for metrology labs and production sites that regularly calibrate digital multimeters, clamp meters, panel meters, data loggers, process instruments, and temperature measuring equipment. If you need remote automation, the GPIB and RS-232 interfaces make it straightforward to integrate into an existing automated calibration system. It also suits teams that work with multiple temperature sensor types, since the unit simulates thermocouples and RTDs.
What Stands Out From the Listed Details
The headline is the integrated capability. Instead of maintaining separate sources for voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, and temperature, the 5500A covers them in a single bench-top box. DC voltage spans 0 to ±1020 V and DC current spans 0 to ±11 A, which covers a wide range of common handheld and benchtop instruments. The dual-output mode lets you simulate multiple temperature sensor types at once, which is handy for differential measurements or for checking two channels of a temperature readout simultaneously.
Another strength is automation. With GPIB and RS-232 remote interfaces, the 5500A can be driven by calibration software, so repetitive testing of many units doesn't have to be done manually. If oscilloscope calibration is on your roadmap, the optional SC300 or SC600 modules extend the platform into that area.
Fluke 5500A Multi-Product Calibrator
This listing is for a used unit, and the price reflects the kind of investment a professional lab would expect for a multi-function reference. Choose it for the integrated electrical and temperature simulation in one bench-top unit. The trade-off is the used, discontinued status: you are relying on the unit's current condition rather than a fresh factory-calibrated instrument.
Meaningful Trade-Offs
The biggest trade-off is the used market itself. A discontinued calibrator can be a sensible buy if the unit has been maintained and its calibration history looks solid, but the details of that history are not part of this listing. You also need to weigh the physical size and bench footprint. The 5500A is a bench-top instrument, not a handheld, so plan for dedicated workspace. And while the optional SC300/SC600 modules add oscilloscope calibration, those modules are not included here, so the listed price covers the base calibrator only.
Bottom Line
This is a substantial capital decision, but it is also a genuinely multi-purpose piece of calibration equipment. If your lab needs broad electrical and temperature coverage plus remote automation, and you are comfortable buying a used, discontinued instrument from a reputable source, the 5500A remains a practical choice. For a one-box solution to a wide calibration workload, it still earns a serious look.
