Amprobe AM-45, AM-47 Users Manual

AM-42, AM-45 & AM-47

USER'S MANUAL

1) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Note: Our top of the line model is used as the representative for
illustration purposes. Please refer to your respective model for
function availability.

1) LCD display

2) Rotary Selector to Select additional functions (AM-47 & AM­42 only), and to turn the Power On or Off (AM-42 only). AM-45
does not have a physical Rotary Selector.

3) Push-button to Select additional functions (all models), and
to switch the Power On or Off (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

4) Input for all functions, or otherwise specified. Red test lead
for positive (+) polarity and Black test lead for Ground reference
(-).

2) SAFETY

Terms in this manual

WARNING identifies conditions and actions that could result in serious injury or even death to the user.
CAUTION identifies conditions and actions that could cause damage or malfunction in the instrument.

This manual contains information and warnings that must be followed for operating the instrument safely and maintaining
the instrument in a safe operating condition. If the instrument is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the instrument may be impaired. The meter is intended only for indoor use. The meter is protected by
double insulation per EN61010-1, IEC61010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 1010-1-92 and UL61010B-1 to CAT III 300V & CAT II 600V
(CAT II 450V for model AM-45).

Measurement Category III (CAT III) is for measurements performed in a building installation. Examples are measurements
on distribution boards, circuit-breakers, wiring, including cables, bus-bars, junction boxes, switches, socket-outlets in the
fixed installation, and equipment for industrial use and some other equipment, for example, stationary motors with
permanent connection to the fixed installation.

Measurement Category II (CAT II) is for measurements performed on circuits directly connected to the low voltage
installation. Examples are measurements on household appliances, portable tools and similar equipment.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. To avoid electrical shock hazard,
observe the proper safety precautions when working with voltages above 60 VDC or 30 VAC rms. These voltage levels
pose a potential shock hazard to the user. Do not touch test lead tips or the circuit being tested while power is applied to the
circuit being measured. Keep your fingers behind the finger guards of the test leads during measurement. Inspect test leads
and probes for damaged insulation or exposed metal before using the instrument. If any defects are found, replace them
immediately.

2

INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS

!

Caution ! Refer to the explanation in this Manual
Caution ! Risk of electric shock

Earth (Ground)
Double Insulation or Reinforced insulation

Fuse

AC--Alternating Current

DC--Direct Current

3) CENELEC DIRECTIVES

The instrument conforms to CENELEC Low-voltage directive 73/23/EEC and Electromagnetic compatibility
directive 89/336/EEC

4) OPERATION

Note: All function operations described hereafter are via the Red test lead for positive (+) polarity and Black test
lead for Ground reference (-), or otherwise specified

4-1) FUNCTIONS IN “Auto V.Ω” POSITION (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

-Quick Start (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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AutoCheck
and step through the functions: AutoCheck

mode is the default function in “Auto V.Ω” position. Press the SELECT button momentarily to select

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→Continuity→EF→ACV→DCV→Ω→Hz→Cx→AutoCheckTM

-AutoCheck

This innovative AutoCheck

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mode (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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feature automatically selects measurement function of DCV, ACV or Resistance (Ω)

based on the input via the test leads.

●With no input, the meter displays “Auto” when it is ready.

●With no voltage signal but a resistance below 6MΩ is present, the meter displays the resistance value. When

below 25Ω is present, the meter AM-47 produces a continuity beep tone.

●When a signal above the threshold of DC 1.2V or AC 1.5V up to the rated 600V (450V for AM-45) is present; the
meter displays the appropriate voltage value in DC or AC, whichever larger in peak magnitude.

●Overload-Alert Feature: When above rated 600V (450V for AM-45) is present; the meter displays “OL” with a
warning beep tone. Disconnect the test leads from the signal immediately to avoid hazards.

Note:

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*Range-Lock Feature: When a measurement reading is being displayed in AutoCheck
SELECT button momentarily 1 time can lock the function-range it was in. The LCD annunciator “

mode, press the

” turns

off. Range-lock can speed up repetitive measurements. Press the SELECT button momentarily again to return to

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AutoCheck
*Hazardous-Alert: When making resistance measurements in AutoCheck

mode.

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mode, an unexpected display of

voltage readings alerts you that the part under test is still energized.

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*AutoCheck

nominal input impedances are slightly lower than that of common digital multimeters. They are, in
fact, more similar to that of most traditional analog multimeters. “LoZ” will display on the LCD to remind the users
in such cases. Although not likely, if such impedance might damage your circuits, use the common impedance
(Hi-Z) voltage mode (AM-47 and AM-42 only) for making voltage measurements on them.

-Continuity, Audible With Symbolic Display (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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From AutoCheck

with “Auto” being displayed, press the SELECT button momentarily 1 time to select Continuity

function. The meter displays a symbolic open-switch display “

” when it is ready. Continuity is convenient for
checking wiring connections and operation of switches. A continuous beep tone with a symbolic closed-switch
display “

” indicates a complete circuit. In noisy environments, it is helpful to “see” continuity measurements.

3

-Electric Field EF-Detection (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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From AutoCheck

with “Auto” being displayed, press the SELECT button momentarily 2 times to select EF­Detection feature. The meter displays “EF” when it is ready. Signal strength is indicated as a series of bar-graph
segments on the display and variable beep tones.

●Non-Contact EF-Detection: An antenna is located at the top left corner of the meter, which detects electric field
surrounds current-carrying conductors. It is ideal for tracing live wiring connections, locating wiring breakage and
to distinguish between live or earth connections.

●Probe-Contact EF-Detection: For more precise indication of live wires, such as distinguishing between live and
ground sockets, use the Red (+) test probe for direct contact measurements.

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-V and Ω of AutoCheck

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From AutoCheck

with “Auto” being displayed, press the SELECT button momentarily 3 times to select ACV, 4

times to select DCV and 5 times to select Resistance (Ω) functions of AutoCheck

In Manual Selection (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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. Such selected function

remains auto-ranging.

-Frequency And Capacitance (AM-47 & AM-45 only)

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From AutoCheck
Frequency (Hz), 7 times to select Capacitance (F) functions and 8 times to return to AutoCheck

with “Auto” being displayed, press the SELECT button momentarily 6 times to select

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mode.

Note:
*Unlike the Line Level Hz Frequency function (for AM-47 only) as stated, this (Common) Hz Frequency function is
set only at the highest input sensitivity mainly for measuring small electronic signals of below 20VAC rms.

4-4) OTHER FUNCTIONS

-DCV, ACV & Line-Level Hz functions (AM-47 only)

Rotate the rotary selector to the V position selects common impedance (Hi-Z) voltage measurements. DCV is the
default function. Press SELECT button momentarily to select ACV. The AC annunciator “

” turns on. Press

momentarily again to activate the Line-Level Hz function.

Note:
*Line-Level Hz input sensitivity varies automatically with ACV range selected when Line-Level Hz is selected. AC
6V range has the highest and AC 600V range has the lowest sensitivity. Measuring the signal in ACV function
WHILE selecting Line-Level Hz function in that ACV range automatically sets the most appropriate sensitivity for
higher voltage applications. This can avoid electrical noises as in 110/220V line voltage applications for example.
If the reading shows zero due to insufficient signal levels, select Line-Level Hz function BEFORE making
measurements (at AC 6V range) will set the highest sensitivity.

-Diode & 600Ω functions (AM-47 only)

Rotate the rotary selector to the

/600Ω position.
Diode test is the default function. The reading shows the approximate voltage drop across the test leads. Normal
forward voltage drop (forward biased) for a good silicon diode is between 0.400V to 0.900V. A reading higher than
that indicates a leaky diode (defective). A zero reading indicates a shorted diode (defective), and the meter will
give a long beep as continuity warning. An OL indicates an open diode (defective). Reverse the test leads
connections (reverse biased) across the diode. The digital display shows OL if the diode is good. Any other
readings indicate the diode is resistive or shorted (defective).
Press SELECT button momentarily selects the lowest 600Ω range for lower resistance measurements. It is an

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extended range to complement the AutoCheck

Resistance (Ω) function.

-DC-µA & AC-µA Micro-Amp functions (AM-47 only)

Rotate the rotary selector to the µA position. The display-reading unit is in µA although there is no unit
annunciator on the display. DC-µA is the default function. There is no annunciator for DC. Press SELECT button
momentarily to select AC-µA. The AC annunciator “

” turns on. These ranges, like other functions, are

protected up to the maximum rated voltages of the meter.