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The B&K Precision 2831E and 5491B are bench-style True RMS digital multimeters built around a dual-line VFD display that lets the operator view two related measurements at once — for example an AC voltage and its frequency, or a DC voltage shown simultaneously in volts and dB. The 2831E provides a 20,000-count display with 4-1/2 digit resolution, while the 5491B steps up to a 50,000-count display with 4-3/4 digit resolution and tighter basic DC voltage accuracy.
Per the datasheet, these meters are positioned for education, service and repair, and manufacturing applications requiring basic and reliable measurements. The built-in math operations — Rel, Max/Min, dBm, dB, %, and Hold — are called out as a convenient tool for teaching basic measurement concepts, while the Compare (limit) mode supports Pass/Fail bench testing with an audible alarm when readings fall outside a user-defined window.
B&K Precision Corporation, founded in 1951 as Dynascan Corporation in Chicago, has manufactured electronic test instruments under the B&K Precision brand for more than seven decades. The company is now headquartered in Yorba Linda, California and continues to operate as B&K Precision with no recent rebranding.
The 2831E and 5491B share an identical mechanical platform, identical measurement functions (DCV, ACV, DCI, ACI, resistance, continuity, diode, frequency, and period), identical front-panel layout, and identical accessory complement. They differ in display resolution, basic measurement accuracy, communication interface options, and warranty term, allowing a buyer to choose between two specification tiers within the same product family.
The datasheet groups both meters under a single 'True RMS Bench Multimeters with Dual Display' family and presents their specifications side by side in every measurement table, making model-to-model comparison straightforward for buyers evaluating which tier matches their accuracy and connectivity requirements.
Each new model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing, availability, and accessory disclosure. Selecting the correct page ensures that the quote you receive matches the specific unit being sold.
The primary specification difference is display resolution and DC accuracy: the 2831E provides 20,000-count, 4-1/2 digit resolution with 0.03% basic VDC accuracy, while the 5491B provides 50,000-count, 4-3/4 digit resolution with 0.02% basic VDC accuracy. The 5491B also offers tighter accuracy across AC voltage, current, and resistance ranges as detailed in the specification tables.
The second differentiator is connectivity and warranty: both meters include USB as standard, but only the 5491B includes RS-232. Warranty terms also differ — one year on the 2831E and three years on the 5491B. The comparison table that follows summarizes the measurement-range and resolution differences for quick reference.
| Model | Display Resolution | Basic VDC Accuracy | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2831E | 20,000 count (4 1/2 digits) | 0.03% | USB (Virtual Com) |
| 5491B | 50,000 count (4 3/4 digits) | 0.02% | USB (Virtual Com) and RS232 |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Category | Specification | 2831E | 5491B |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Voltage (Accuracy ± (% of reading + % of range), 23 °C ± 5 °C, Slow rate, 1 year) | |||
| Range 1 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Impedance | 200.00 mV / 10 µV / 210.00 / 0.04%+0.09% / >10 MΩ | 500.00 mV / 10 µV / 510.00 / 0.02%+0.016% / >10 MΩ |
| Range 2 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Impedance | 2.0000 V / 100 µV / 2.1000 / 0.04%+0.08% / >11.1 MΩ | 5.0000 V / 100 µV / 5.1000 / 0.02%+0.008% / >11.1 MΩ |
| Range 3 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Impedance | 20.000 V / 1 mV / 21.000 / 0.04%+0.09% / >10.1 MΩ | 50.000 V / 1 mV / 51.000 / 0.02%+0.008% / >10.1 MΩ |
| Range 4 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Impedance | 200.00 V / 10 mV / 210.00 / 0.04%+0.09% / 10 MΩ | 500.00 V / 10 mV / 510.00 / 0.02%+0.008% / 10 MΩ |
| Range 5 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Impedance | 1000.0 V / 100 mV / 1010.0 / 0.04%+0.08% / 10 MΩ | 1000.0 V / 100 mV / 1010.0 / 0.02%+0.008% / 10 MΩ |
| AC Voltage (True RMS, Slow rate, 1 year, 23 °C ± 5 °C, Max crest factor 3.0 at full scale) | |||
| Range 1 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 200.00 mV / 10 µV / 210.00 | 500.00 mV / 10 µV / 510.00 |
| Range 2 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 2.0000 V / 100 µV / 2.1000 | 5.0000 V / 100 µV / 5.1000 |
| Range 3 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 20.000 V / 1 mV / 21.000 | 50.000 V / 1 mV / 51.000 |
| Range 4 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 200.00 V / 10 mV / 210.00 | 500.00 V / 10 mV / 510.00 |
| Range 5 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 750.0 V / 100 mV / 757.5 | 750.0 V / 100 mV / 757.5 |
| ACV Accuracy 50~20 kHz (mid range) | 50~20 kHz | 0.4%+0.05% | 0.35%+0.02% |
| DC Current (Slow rate, 1 year, 23 °C ± 5 °C) | |||
| Range 1 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Burden Voltage & Shunt | 2.0000 mA / 0.1 µA / 2.1000 / 0.08%+0.025% / <0.3 V / 100 Ω | 5.0000 mA / 0.1 µA / 5.1000 / 0.05%+0.01% / <0.6 V / 100 Ω |
| Range 2 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Burden Voltage & Shunt | 20.000 mA / 1 µA / 21.000 / 0.08%+0.02% / <0.04 V / 1 Ω | 50.000 mA / 1 µA / 51.000 / 0.05%+0.008% / <0.06 V / 1 Ω |
| Range 3 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Burden Voltage & Shunt | 200.00 mA / 10 µA / 210.00 / 0.08%+0.02% / <0.3 V / 1 Ω | 500.00 mA / 10 µA / 510.00 / 0.05%+0.008% / <0.6 V / 1 Ω |
| Range 4 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Burden Voltage & Shunt | 2.0000 A / 100 µA / 2.1000 / 0.3%+0.025% / <0.05 V / 10 mΩ | 5.0000 A / 100 µA / 5.1000 / 0.25%+0.01% / <0.1 V / 10 mΩ |
| Range 5 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Burden Voltage & Shunt | 20.000 A / 1 mA / 21.000 / 0.3%+0.025% / <0.6 V / 10 mΩ | 20.000 A / 1 mA / 21.000 / 0.25%+0.01% / <0.6 V / 10 mΩ |
| AC Current (True RMS, AC Coupling, Slow rate, 1 year) | |||
| Range 1 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 2.0000 mA / 0.1 µA / 2.1000 | 5.0000 mA / 0.1 µA / 5.1000 |
| Range 2 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 20.000 mA / 10 µA / 21.000 | 50.000 mA / 10 µA / 51.000 |
| Range 3 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 200.00 mA / 100 µA / 210.00 | 500.00 mA / 100 µA / 510.00 |
| Range 4 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 2.0000 A / 1 mA / 2.1000 | 5.0000 A / 1 mA / 5.1000 |
| Range 5 | Range / Resolution / Full Scale | 20.000 A / 10 mA / 21.000 | 20.000 A / 10 mA / 21.000 |
| Resistance (Slow rate, 1 year, 23 °C ± 5 °C) | |||
| Range 1 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 200.00 Ω / 10 mΩ / 0.5 mA / 0.3%+0.05% | 500.00 Ω / 10 mΩ / 0.5 mA / 0.10%+0.01% |
| Range 2 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 2.0000 kΩ / 100 mΩ / 0.45 mA / 0.10%+0.025% | 5.0000 kΩ / 100 mΩ / 0.45 mA / 0.10%+0.008% |
| Range 3 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 20.000 kΩ / 1 Ω / 45 µA / 0.10%+0.025% | 50.000 kΩ / 1 Ω / 45 µA / 0.10%+0.008% |
| Range 4 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 200.00 kΩ / 10 Ω / 4.5 µA / 0.10%+0.025% | 500.00 kΩ / 10 Ω / 4.5 µA / 0.10%+0.008% |
| Range 5 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 2.0000 MΩ / 100 Ω / 450 nA / 0.15%+0.025% | 5.0000 MΩ / 100 Ω / 450 nA / 0.15%+0.008% |
| Range 6 | Range / Resolution / Test current / Accuracy | 20.000 MΩ / 1 kΩ / 45 nA / 0.3%+0.05% | 50.000 MΩ / 1 kΩ / 45 nA / 0.3%+0.01% |
| Continuity | |||
| Range | Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Test current / Accuracy | 200 Ω / 100 mΩ / 999.9 / 0.5 mA / 0.1%+0.3% | 500 Ω / 100 mΩ / 999.9 / 0.5 mA / 0.1%+0.04% |
| Open circuit voltage | <5.5 VDC | ||
| Test current | around 0.5 mA DC | ||
| Diode | |||
| Range / Resolution / Full Scale / Test current | Med rate | 2.0000 V / 100 µV / 2.3000 V / 0.5 mA (Approx.) | |
| Frequency (ACV Range 200 mV [500 mV for 5491B] to 750 V) | |||
| 10 Hz | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 100 µHz / 9.9999 / 0.05%+0.02% / 200 mV rms | |
| 10~100 Hz | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 1 mHz / 99.999 / 0.01%+0.02% / 300 mV rms | |
| 100~100 kHz | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 10 mHz / 999.99 / 0.01%+0.008% / 300 mV rms | |
| 100k~1 MHz | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 10 Hz / 999.99 / 0.01%+0.008% / 500 mV rms | |
| Period (ACV Range 200 mV [500 mV for 5491B] to 750 V) | |||
| 1~10 µs | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 0.1 ns / 9.9999 / 0.01%+0.008% / 500 mV rms | |
| 10 µs~10 ms | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 1 ns / 9.9999 / 0.01%+0.008% / 300 mV rms | |
| 10 ms~100 ms | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 1 µs / 99.999 / 0.01%+0.02% / 300 mV rms | |
| 100 ms | Best Resolution / Full Scale / Accuracy / Input Sensitivity | 10 µs / 199.99 / 0.05%+0.02% / 200 mV rms | |
| General |
Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Model No
B&K
Condition
New
Manufacturer
B&K Precision
Ac voltage
750 V
Dc voltage
1 kV
Resolution
4.5
Type
Bench
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