AEMC AmpFlex User Manual

AmpFlex®
Flexible AC Current Probes

USER MANUAL

ON OL

!

600V CAT IV

10 mV/A

1 mV/A

OFF

®

INSTRUMENTS

AmpFlex

®

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Statement of Compliance

Chauvin Arnoux®, Inc. d.b.a. AEMC® Instruments
certifies that this instrument has been calibrated
using standards and instruments traceable to
international standards.

We guarantee that at the time of shipping your
instrument has met its published specifications.

An NIST traceable certificate may be
requested at the time of purchase, or obtained
by returning the instrument to our repair and
calibration facility, for a nominal charge.

The recommended calibration interval for this
instrument is 12 months and begins on the date of
receipt by the customer.




Serial #:

Catalog #:

_____________________________________

Model #:

AmpFlex® AC Current Probe

Please fill in the appropriate date as indicated:

Date Received:

Date Calibration Due:

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Table of Contents

Warning ..................................................................................................... 2

International Electrical Symbols ................................................................ 2

Definition of Measurement Categories ...................................................... 3

Receiving Your Shipment .......................................................................... 3

Packaging .................................................................................................. 3

Description ................................................................................................ 4

Features .................................................................................................... 5

Features .................................................................................................... 6

Accessories ............................................................................................... 6

Standard Models ....................................................................................... 7

Specifications ............................................................................................ 8

Instrument Compatibility .......................................................................... 12

Operation ................................................................................................. 12

Making Measurements with the AmpFlex® .......................................... 12

Tips for Making Precise Measurements: ............................................. 12

Typical Response Curves: ................................................................... 16

Maintenance ............................................................................................ 18

Warning ............................................................................................... 18

Battery Replacement ........................................................................... 18

Cleaning............................................................................................... 18

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AmpFlex® - Flexible AC Current Probes

- 2 -

Warning

These safety wa rnings a re p rovided t o en sure the safety of
personnel and proper operation of the instrument.

 Read the in struction ma nual completely and foll ow all the

safety inform ation befo re attempting to use o r servi ce this
instrument.

 Wear protective clothing and gloves as required.

 Use ca ution on any circu it: potentially high voltag es an d

currents may be present and may pose a shock hazard.

 Read the safety spe cifications section prio r to using th e

current probe. Never exceed the max voltage ratings given.

 Safety is the responsi bility of the operator. T he A mpFlex

®

must be used only by qu alified p ersonnel u sing a pplicable
safety precautions.

 ALWAYS de-energize the c ircuit before wrapping the

AmpFlex

®

around b are conductors, b us ba rs, or near live

parts. Do not wrap on live conductors.

 ALWAYS c onnect the elec tronic module to the dis play

device before wrap ping t he AmpFl ex

®

aro und th e sample

being tested.

 ALWAYS inspec t the module, sens or, s ensor cable, and

output termin als pri or to u se. Repl ace any defective parts
immediately. Use only factory parts.

 NEVER us e the AmpFlex

®

on ele ctrical conductors rated

above 600V CAT IV; 1000V CAT III.

International Electrical Symbols

This symbol signifies that the current probe is p rotected by double
or reinforced insulation. Use o nly factory spe cified repla cement
parts when servicing the instrument.

This symbol signifies CAUTION! and requests that the user refer to
the user manual before using the instrument.

This symbol refers to a type B current sensor. Do not apply around
or remove from HAZARDOUS LIVE conductors without additional
protective means (de-energizing the circuit or wearing protective
clothing suitable for high voltage work).

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AmpFlex® - Flexible AC Current Probes

- 3 -

Definition of Measurement Categories

CAT I: For measurements on circuits not directly co nnected to the A C

supply wall o utlet su ch as prot ected se condaries, si gnal level,
and limited energy circuits.

CAT II: For mea surements pe rformed on ci rcuits dire ctly co nnected to

the ele ctrical distri bution system. Exa mples are m easurements
on household appliances or portable tools.

CAT III: For me asurements p erformed in the b uilding in stallation at the

distribution l evel su ch a s on h ardwired e quipment in fixed
installation and circuit breakers.

CAT IV: For me asurements p erformed at the primary ele ctrical supply

(<1000V) such as on p rimary ove rcurrent protection devi ces,
ripple control units, or meters

Receiving Your Shipment

Upon receiving you r shipment, ma ke sure that the contents a re
consistent wi th the packin g list. Noti fy your di stributor of any mi ssing
items. If the equipment appears to be damaged, file a claim immediately
with the carrier a nd notify your di stributor at on ce, giving a detailed
description of any damage.

Packaging

Your AmpFlex® consists of the following items:

 Flexible probe with electronic module

 User manual

 9V battery

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AmpFlex® - Flexible AC Current Probes

- 4 -

Description

The AmpFlex® is a flexible AC current transformer composed of a flexible
sensor a nd an electronic m odule. The flexib le sen sor permits
measurements on condu ctors where standard clamp-on probe s could
not be used. In pa rticular, it can be installed in ti ght spaces, around
breaker panels, around cable bundles, around wide or large bus bars, or
even wrapp ed arou nd irregula r sh apes. The Shap e Memory feature
enables the user to “pre-shape” the sensor before inserting it between or
around conductors. This feature facilitates closing, enhances user safety,
and all eviates the drooping effe ct ty pically a ssociated with flexible
sensors.

The AmpFle x

®

is lightwe ight and do es not u se magneti c co res like
standard t ransformers. Th e tran sformation pri nciple is ba sed on an ai r
core. It presents virtually no load to the system u nder te st, has a low
phase shift and excellent frequ ency respon se, a nd cannot be damaged
by overloads.

The se nsor assembly is waterproof and insul ated for 600V CAT IV;
1000V CAT III. The AmpFl ex

®

meets EN 61010-1, is CE m arked, and is
designed wit h material s a nd co mponents to meet internatio nal agency
approvals.

The Amp Flex

®

ha s a n mV output proportional to th e current m easured
for direct readings on DMMs, data l oggers, oscilloscopes, and power or
harmonic meters. TRMS m easurements are taken when connected to a
TRMS m eter. The Amp Flex

®

is in sensitive to DC currents an d onl y the

AC component of the measured signal is measured.

The len gth of the flexible sensor can be sele cted in lengths of 24" , 36",
and 48" in le ngth. Consult the factor y for cu stom lengths, ranges and/or
features.

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AmpFlex® - Flexible AC Current Probes

- 5 -

AmpFlex®

600V CAT IV

®

7. Flexible Sensor
(Diameter 0.5", 12.5mm)

8. Lead from Sensor to Module
(6.5 ft, 2m)

9. Electronic Module -
Descriptive Label on Back

Case (range, model, etc.)

1. Positive: Red Banana Plug (+)

2. Common: Black Banana Plug (-)

3. Power ON Indicator (Green LED)

4. Overload Indicator (Red LED)

5. Range Selection Switch

6. AmpFlex

®

Connector/Latch

Figure 1

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AmpFlex® - Flexible AC Current Probes

- 6 -

Features

 Models to measure from 0.5Arms to 30,000Arms

 Accuracy 1% of Reading

 TRMS measurements when connected to a TRMS instrument

 No core saturation or damage if overloaded

 Overrange LED for measurement circuitry

 600V CAT IV; 1000V CAT III; EN 61010; CE Mark

 Wate rproof sensor

 9V battery for typical 150 hour continuous operation

 Shape Memory for custom pre-shaping of sensor before use

(no drooping)

 Very high frequency response

 Low phase shift for power

 Insensitive to DC, measures only AC component on DC + AC signals

 Excellent linearity

 Lightweight

Accessories

Banana (Female) / BNC (Male) Adapter ..................... Cat. # 2118.46

For connection of the AmpFlex

®

to SLII Models L101, L102, L562,

BNC terminals on scopes and other displaying instruments.

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1.888.610.7664