The following safety precautions apply to both operating and maintenance personnel and must be followed during all
phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument.
Before applying power to this instrument:
• Read and understand the safety and operational information in this manual.
• Apply all the listed safety precautions.
• Verify that the voltage selector at the line power cord input is set to the correct line voltage. Operating the instrument
at an incorrect line voltage will void the warranty.
• Make all connections to the instrument before applying power.
• Do not operate the instrument in ways not specied by this manual or by B&K Precision.
Failure to comply with these precautions or with warnings elsewhere in this manual violates the safety standards of design,
manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. B&K Precision assumes no liability for a customer’s failure to comply
with these requirements.
Category rating
The IEC 61010 standard denes safety category ratings that specify the amount of electrical energy available and the
voltage impulses that may occur on electrical conductors associated with these category ratings. The category rating is
a Roman numeral of I, II, III, or IV. This rating is also accompanied by a maximum voltage of the circuit to be tested,
which denes the voltage impulses expected and required insulation clearances. These categories are:
Category I (CAT I): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are not intended to be connected to the
mains supply. The voltages in the environment are typically derived from a limited-energy transformer or a battery.
Category II (CAT II): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be connected to the mains
supply at a standard wall outlet or similar sources. Example measurement environments are portable
tools and household appliances.
Category III (CAT III): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be connected to the mains
installation of a building. Examples are measurements inside a building’s circuit breaker panel
or the wiring of permanently-installed motors.
Category IV (CAT IV): Measurement instruments whose measurement inputs are meant to be connected to the primary
power entering a building or other outdoor wiring.
Do not use this instrument in an electrical environment with a higher category rating than what is specied in this manual
for this instrument.
You must ensure that each accessory you use with this instrument has a category rating equal to or higher than the
instrument’s category rating to maintain the instrument’s category rating. Failure to do so will lower the category rating
of the measuring system.
This instrument is intended to be powered from a CATEGORY II mains power environment. The mains power should be
115 V RMS or 230 V RMS. Use only the power cord supplied with the instrument and ensure it is appropriate for your
country of use.
Ground the Instrument
To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cabinet must be connected to an electrical safety ground. This
instrument is grounded through the ground conductor of the supplied, three-conductor AC line power cable. The power
cable must be plugged into an approved three-conductor electrical outlet. The power jack and mating plug of the power
cable meet IEC safety standards.
Do not alter or defeat the ground connection. Without the safety ground connection, all accessible conductive parts
(including control knobs) may provide an electric shock. Failure to use a properly-grounded approved outlet and the
recommended three-conductor AC line power cable may result in injury or death.
Unless otherwise stated, a ground connection on the instrument’s front or rear panel is for a reference of potential only
and is not to be used as a safety ground. Do not operate in an explosive or ammable atmosphere.
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of ammable gases or vapors, fumes, or nely-divided particulates.
The instrument is designed to be used in oce-type indoor environments. Do not operate the instrument
• In the presence of noxious, corrosive, or ammable fumes, gases, vapors, chemicals, or nely-divided particulates.
• In relative humidity conditions outside the instrument’s specications.
• In environments where there is a danger of any liquid being spilled on the instrument or where any liquid can condense
on the instrument.
• In air temperatures exceeding the specied operating temperatures.
• In atmospheric pressures outside the specied altitude limits or where the surrounding gas is not air.
• In environments with restricted cooling air ow, even if the air temperatures are within specications.
• In direct sunlight.
This instrument is intended to be used in an indoor pollution degree 2 environment. The operating temperature range is
0∘C to 40∘C and 20% to 80% relative humidity, with no condensation allowed. Measurements made by this instrument
may be outside specications if the instrument is used in non-oce-type environments. Such environments may include
rapid temperature or humidity changes, sunlight, vibration and/or mechanical shocks, acoustic noise, electrical noise,
strong electric elds, or strong magnetic elds.
If the instrument is damaged, appears to be damaged, or if any liquid, chemical, or other material gets on or inside the
instrument, remove the instrument’s power cord, remove the instrument from service, label it as not to be operated,
and return the instrument to B&K Precision for repair. Notify B&K Precision of the nature of any contamination of the
instrument.
Clean the instrument only as instructed
Do not clean the instrument, its switches, or its terminals with contact cleaners, abrasives, lubricants, solvents, acids/bases,
or other such chemicals. Clean the instrument only with a clean dry lint-free cloth or as instructed in this manual. Not
for critical applications
This instrument is not authorized for use in contact with the human body or for use as a component in a life-support
device or system.
Do not touch live circuits
Instrument covers must not be removed by operating personnel. Component replacement and internal adjustments must
be made by qualied service-trained maintenance personnel who are aware of the hazards involved when the instrument’s
covers and shields are removed. Under certain conditions, even with the power cord removed, dangerous voltages may
exist when the covers are removed. To avoid injuries, always disconnect the power cord from the instrument, disconnect
all other connections (for example, test leads, computer interface cables, etc.), discharge all circuits, and verify there
are no hazardous voltages present on any conductors by measurements with a properly-operating voltage-sensing device
before touching any internal parts. Verify the voltage-sensing device is working properly before and after making the
measurements by testing with known-operating voltage sources and test for both DC and AC voltages. Do not attempt
any service or adjustment unless another person capable of rendering rst aid and resuscitation is present.
Do not insert any object into an instrument’s ventilation openings or other openings.
Hazardous voltages may be present in unexpected locations in circuitry being tested when a fault condition in the circuit
exists.
Fuse replacement must be done by qualied service-trained maintenance personnel who are aware of the instrument’s fuse
requirements and safe replacement procedures. Disconnect the instrument from the power line before replacing fuses.
Replace fuses only with new fuses of the fuse types, voltage ratings, and current ratings specied in this manual or on
the back of the instrument. Failure to do so may damage the instrument, lead to a safety hazard, or cause a re. Failure
to use the specied fuses will void the warranty.
Do not substitute parts that are not approved by B&K Precision or modify this instrument. Return the instrument to
B&K Precision for service and repair to ensure that safety and performance features are maintained.
For continued safe use of the instrument
• Do not place heavy objects on the instrument.
• Do not obstruct cooling air ow to the instrument.
• Do not place a hot soldering iron on the instrument.
• Do not pull the instrument with the power cord, connected probe, or connected test lead.
• Do not move the instrument when a probe is connected to a circuit being tested.
Safety Symbols
SymbolDescription
indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury
indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in minor or moderate injury
Refer to the text near the symbol.
Electric Shock hazard
Alternating current (AC)
Chassis ground
Earth ground
This is the In position of the power switch when instrument is ON.
This is the Out position of the power switch when instrument is OFF.
is used to address practices not related to physical injury.
4. Do not install unit near any heat source or heating emitting devices.
5. Prevent the power cord from being walked on or pinched.
6. Unplug this unit during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
1.1 Precautions
1. The unit must be used within its specied range.
The rated input voltages can be found on the rating label at the back of the unit. Before plugging into the AC supply,
check with the rating label.
2. This unit has a built-in Tracking O.V.P. (Over Voltage Protection) feature. In the event of the output voltage
becoming 10% greater than the set value, the O.V.P. will be triggered and the output power will be cut o and
>FAULT< warning will appear.
When you get this warning, switch o the unit and remove all loading.
If you switch the unit back on again it should resume normal operation. In the event that this problem persists contact
the manufacturer.
3. This unit has a built-in buzzer, which will sound when Over Temperature/Overload/Over Voltage Protection has been
triggered. When you get this warning, switch the unit o and remove all loading.
Check your load and output voltage setting.
Allow the unit to cool down for 30 minutes.
If you switch the unit back on it should resume normal operation.
In the event this problem persists contact B&K Precision for assistance.
4. Only use the supplied software and optional accessories with this unit.
5. Refer all servicing to manufacturer.
Warning! The maximum output voltage for Model 1698B is up to 60Vdc. It may be hazardous to touch metal part
of the terminals.