The 61010 standard clearly says their definition of Cat II vs Cat III is either side of the socket outlet.
That directly contradicts what you just said above. A CAT II (xxxV) meter is one that passes the stated surge test (and other requirements of course) and CAT III meter is likewise one that passes its respective tests. The standard mentions that an example of a CAT III environment is the wiring behind a wall socket. But that in no way 'defines' what a CAT III meter is and you have just said that the CAT ratings are related to the capabilities of the meters and not definitive statements about where the meters are used.
Noisy posters continuously question that in obnoxious fake concern and without basis.
You can disagree all you want if you think the two lines you've quoted without context (not that I'm expecting you to provide it) are the final authority, but questioning peoples motives and claiming the counterarguments are 'without basis' is a bit much. The information Fluke publishes on the matter directly contradicts what you are claiming and I'm not willing to write them off as badly misinformed idiots just yet. That and their interpretation or explanation makes a lot more sense.
Again with your vague/non specific references to "something". Please quote if you think something specific is incorrect.
To make this blindingly obvious I'll keep quoting in context:
Fluke isn't following the standard from which those categories are defined (61010) and would be misleading in typical installs in Australia and the UK (and probably other countries that I am less familiar with).
61010 measurement categories are really simple:
"CAT III is for measurements performed in the building installation"
"CAT II is for measurements performed on circuits directly connected to the [mains] voltage installation"
As mentioned in the other thread(s), its very very simple: something that plugs into a socket outlet is immediately CAT II, unless you are on the other side of safety isolation/insulation and then its up to you to know what the range of voltages/currents could be (perhaps use a more modern standard to help) and check that the multimeter/measurement tool has suitable withstand and/or breaking capacity.
Those are word for word quotes [editor rewording in bracket] from AS61010-1:2003
which I have a licensed copy of, and its currently in force and up to date:
Wow, another round of disinformation.CAT I was removed some time ago too.
"CAT I" is useful information - it lets you know the meter won't die if you apply the rated voltage with the meter set to Ohms (for example).
(assuming a CAT rating means "meter won't die at this voltage" - something else they ought to clarify in the standard
Measurement Categories I and II are not discontinued or removed, AS61010 still lists them as current:
https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-us/standards/as-61010-1-2003-121163_saig_as_as_254253/
So where in that I am contradicting myself? A direct quote of what the standard says, is... what it says. All these "arguments" that it means or says something else are factually incorrect. AS61010 definitions of Measurement Category:
The 61010 standard clearly says their definition of Cat II vs Cat III is either side of the socket outlet.
Fluke may well provide different guidance on where they see those measurement categories applying, but that does not change the standard or override it. They have not rewritten or produced some new standard, or said what they write is communicating the 61010 standard (Fluke reference the earlier IEC 1010). Its some marketing material that uses Measurement Categories as you know
categories of measurement products and how they think that maps to the (US centric) "real world".
Fluke nowhere claim to be providing a copy or representation of the 61010 standard, yet now you're claiming that too. Where is the basis for that claim? Fluke only talk about IEC 1010, where as Dave in the OP talks about 61010.
Or as a simple example of why the Fluke examples are misleading (in other countries only?) is that Australia requires a maximum droop in the voltage at socket outlets under maximum load. The length of the cabling is pretty much irrelevant to the fault current as we are required to maintain the same (maximum worst case) source impedance at any length. This argument has already been presented, yet here we are again with mutltiple people saying FLUKE IS OUR GOD, TRUST FLUKE there can be no other truths.... while completely misunderstanding and misrepresenting what Fluke are communicating.