
PCE-PCM 3 Digital Clamp Meter
1. Safety information ............................................. 3
1.1 Preparation ............................................. 3
1.2 Use ......................................................... 4
1.3 Mark........................................................ 5
1.4 Maintenance ........................................... 5
2. Description ........................................................ 6
2.1 Name of parts ......................................... 7
2.2 Descriptions of switch, button and input
jack ............................................................... 8
2.3 LCD display .......................................... 10
3. Specification.................................................... 11
3.1 General ................................................. 12
3.2 Technical specifications ........................ 12
3.2.1 Alternating current ..................... 13
3.2.2 Inrush current ............................ 13
3.2.3 DC voltage ................................ 13
3.2.4 AC voltage ................................. 14
3.2.5 Frequency ................................. 14
3.2.6 Duty ratio ................................... 16
PCE Americas Inc.
1201 Jupiter Park Drive
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: (561) 320-9162
Fax: (561) 320-9176
info@pce-americas.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Unit 11
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: (0) 2380 98703 0
Fax: (0) 2380 98703 9
info@pce-instruments.co.uk
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com

3.2.7. Resistance ................................ 16
3.2.8 Circuit continuity test ................. 17
3.2.9. Capacitance .............................. 17
3.2.10 Diode test ................................ 17
3.2.11 Single-phase active power ....... 18
3.2.12 Single-phase apparent power .. 18
3.2.13 Single-phase reactive power ... 19
3.2.14 Power factor ............................ 19
3.2.15 Harmonics measurement......... 19
4 Operation Guide ............................................... 19
4.1 Reading holding .................................... 19
4.2 Manual range ........................................ 20
4.3 Switchover of frequency and duty ratio . 20
4.4 Selection of maximum/minimum value
measurement .............................................. 21
4.5 Function switching ................................ 21
4.6 Measurement of relative value .............. 22
4.7 LINK measurement ............................... 22
4.9 ▼function .............................................. 23
4.10 ▲function ........................................... 23
4.11 INRUSH measurement ....................... 24
4.12 Back-light and clamp lighting .............. 24
4.13 Automatic shutdown............................ 25
4.14. Measurement preparation .................. 25
4.15 AC current measurement .................... 25
4.16. Voltage measurement ........................ 27
4.17 Measuring frequency and duty ratio.... 28
4.18 Resistance measurement ................... 31
4.19 Diode test ........................................... 32
4.20 Circuit continuity test........................... 33
4.21 Capacitance measurement ................. 34
4.22 Measurement of inrush current ........... 35
4.23 NCV measurement ............................. 36
4.24 Active power measurement ................ 37
4.25 Apparent power measurement ............ 39
4.26 Power factor measurement ................. 41
4.27 Phase angle measurement ................. 42
4.28 Harmonics measurement (voltage signal)

.................................................................... 44
4.29 Harmonics measurement (current signal)
.................................................................... 46
5 Maintenance ..................................................... 47
5.1 Battery replacement .............................. 47
5.2 Probe replacement ................................ 48
6 Attachments ..................................................... 48
1. Safety information
Warning
Please pay special attention when using this
meter, improper use may result in electric
shock or damage to the meter. Please follow
the common safety rules, and fully comply
with the safety precautions specified in the
user manual.
To make full use of the meter, and ensure safe
operation, please read carefully and follow the
application methods in this specification.
This meter conforms to GB/T 13978-92: Generic
Specification for Digital Multi-meters, GB4793.11995 (IEC-61010-1, IEC-61010-2-032): Safety
Requirements of Electronic Measuring Instrument.
It causes secondary pollution, and the over-voltage
standard is CAT IV 600 V and CAT III 1,000 V.
Please abide by the safe operation guidance to
ensure the safety use of the meter. Appropriate use
and protection of the meter will bring you
satisfactory service.
1.1 Preparation
1.1.1 The users must comply with the following
safety regulations when using the meter:
- General electric shock protection
- Prevent the misuse of the meter
1.1.2 After receiving the meter, check whether it is
damaged in the transportation.

1.1.3 Check and verify whether the meter is
damaged after being stored and shipped in poor
condition.
1.1.4 The probe must be in good condition. Check
whether the insulation of the probe is broken and
the metal wire of the conductor is exposed before
using.
1.1.5 The probe provided with the meter can ensure
the safe use, and it must be replaced with the same
probe or the probe of the same grade, if necessary.
1.2 Use
1.2.1 You must use the meter according to
requirements of correct functions and measuring
range.
1.2.2 Do not exceed the indicated value of
protection scope of each measuring range during
the measurement.
1.2.3 Do not touch the top of the probe when the
meter is connected for measuring the circuit.
1.2.4 During the measurement, if the measured
voltage is higher than 60V DC or 30 V AC (effective
value), you should keep your fingers behind the
probe protector all the time.
1.2.5 Do not measure the voltage when the AC
voltage between the measuring terminal and the
ground is greater than 750 V.
1.2.6 Select the highest range of the manual range
if you don't know the measured value in advance.
1.2.7 Remove the probe from the measured circuit
before rotating the change-over switch to change
the measuring function.
1.2.8 Do not perform the live line measurement for
the resistance, capacitance, diodes and circuit
continuity.

1.2.9 Do not connect the meter to the voltage source
during the current, resistance, capacitance, diodes
and circuit continuity test.
1.2.10 Do not measure the capacitance before the
capacitor is fully discharged.
1.2.11 Do not use this meter near the explosive gas,
steam or dust.
1.2.12 In case of any abnormality or fault, please
stop using the meter.
1.2.13 Do not use this meter, unless the bottom
case and the battery cover are fully fastened in situ.
1.2.14 Do not store or use this meter in direct
sunlight, high temperature, or high humidity.
1.3 Mark
Note (See the operation manual for the important
safety information)
It can be used for dangerous energized
conductors.
Double insulation protection (CAT II)
CAT III complies with the over-voltage
(installation) class III of IEC-61010-1, and the
pollution level 2 refers to the level of the pulse
withstand voltage protectionprovided.
Conform to the European Union (EU) Standard
Grounding
1.4 Maintenance
1.4.1 Do not try to open the bottom case of the
meter for adjustment or repair. These operations
can only be performed by the technicians who
understand the meter and the shock hazard
adequately.

1.4.2 Please remove the probe from the measured
circuit before opening the bottom case or the battery
cover of the meter.
1.4.3 In order to avoid the electric shock caused by
the incorrect reading, when the meter displays "
"replace the battery immediately.
1.4.4 Use wet cloth and mild detergent to clean the
meter, and do not use the abrasive or solvent.
1.4.5 Turn off the power of meter when you don't
use it, rotate the range switch to the OFF gear.
1.4.6 Take off the battery to prevent the damage to
the meter, if you do not use it for a long time.
2. Description
- PCE-PCM 3 single-phase clamp-type harmonic
power meter is hand-type intelligent power
measuring meter, which combines the digital
multimeter and power measurement with Bluetooth
function. The range switch with one-handed
performance is convenient for the measurement,
and this meter can perform the functions of overload
protection and low battery indicator.
- The meter can be used for the measurement of the
alternating current, alternating voltage, direct
voltage, frequency, duty ratio, resistance and
capacitance and circuit continuity, diode test, noncontact voltage detection, as well as the
measurement of the active power, reactive power,
apparent power, power factor, harmonics
measurement and phase angle measurement.
- The meter supports the auto range and manual
range.

- The meter supports reading holding.
- The meter supports maximum measurement.
- The meter supports minimum measurement.
- The meter supports relative measurement.
- The meter supports Bluetooth.
- The meter supports data storage.
- The meter supports back-light and clamp lamp.
- The meter supports automatic shutdown.
- The meter supports low voltage indicator.
2.1 Name of parts
(1) Current clamp: for current measurement.
(2) Clamp lamp
(3) Faceplate
(4) Trigger
(5) Button for data storage and switch of auto and
manual range
(6) Button for maximum/minimum selection
(7) Button for function switch
(8) Button for reading holding/back-light
(9) Button for frequency and duty ratio
measurement, inrush current and up
(10) Button for Bluetooth function, relative
measurement and down
(11) Change-over switch
(12) NCV indicator light
(13) LCD display
(14) Input jack of resistance, capacitance, voltage,
frequency, diode and continuity.
(15) Jack of common terminal

2.2 Descriptions of switch, button and input jack
FUNC button: for switching the measurement
function.
B.L/HOLD button: the readings will be held by the
short press, and the back-light will be turned on by
long press. The back-light and clamp lamp will be
turned on at the same time by pressing the
B.L/HOLD button in the current gear and in the
power gear on the current interface.
REC/RANGE button: short press for switching
between auto and manual range mode, and long
press for data storage.

LINK/REL/▼ button
1)Long press for validating Bluetooth in all gears.
2)Short-press in the harmonic measurement
interface at KW and W gears to scroll down, and to
switch between the 1st harmonic and 20th harmonic.
At the KW and W gears, short-press the function key
in the maximum/minimum value measurement
interface to scroll down, and switch and display the
maximum/minimum value.
3)Short press on alternating current, AC/DC
voltage and capacitance for relative value
measurement mode.
Hz%/INRUSH/▲button
1) Short press on alternating current, alternating
voltage and HZ% gear for the switch among
alternating current or alternating voltage, frequency
and duty ratio.
2) Short-press on the harmonic measurement
interface at KW and W gears to scroll up, and switch
between the 1st harmonic and 20th harmonic. At the
KW and W gears, short-press the function key in the
maximum/minimum value measurement interface to
scroll up, and switch and display the
maximum/minimum value.
3) Long press on the alternating current gear for
switching to the measurement mode of inrush
current.
MAX/MIN button: for the switch between the
maximum/minimum measurement.
OFF gear: for power off.

INPUT jack: input terminal of voltage, resistance,
frequency, duty ratio, capacitance, diode and circuit
continuity.
COM jack: common terminal of voltage, resistance,
frequency, duty ratio, capacitance, diode and circuit
continuity.
Change-over switch: for selection of functions and
ranges.
2.3 LCD display
Alternating current/Direct
current
Status of maximum
measurement
Status of minimum
measurement
Status of relative
measurement
Status of automatic shutdown
Status of reading holding
Millivolt, volt (voltage)
Ampere (electric current)
Nano farad, microfarad and
millifarad

Ohm, kilo-ohm and megohm
(resistance)
Hertz, kilohertz and
megahertz (frequency)
Non-contact voltage
detection
Watt and kilowatt (active
power)
Total harmonic distortion
Total harmonic distortion F
(relative to fundamental
wave)
Total harmonic distortion r
(relative to actual effective
value)
Status of inrush current
measurement
3. Specification
Recalibrate the meter under the conditions of
18°C~28°C and the relative humidity less than 75%,
with the calibration cycle of 1 year.

3.1 General
Auto range and manual range.
Full-scale overload protection.
Maximum allowable voltage between measured
end and the ground: 1,000 V DC or 750 V AC.
Working height: less than 2,000 m.
Displayer: LCD.
Maximum displayed value: 5999 dgt.
Polar indication: self-indicating, "-" means
negative polarity.
Over-range display: '0L' or '-0L'.
Sampling time: around 3 times/s.
Unit display: display the functions and the unit
of electric quantity.
Time of automatic shutdown: 30 minutes.
Power supply: DC power supply 9 V.
Type of battery: NEDA 1604 or 6F22.
Under-voltage indication of battery: LCD
display symbol.
Temperature coefficient: less than 0.1×degree
of accuracy/°C.
Working temperature: 18°C~28°C.
Storage temperature: -10°C~50°C.
Dimension: 238×92×50 mm.
Weight: around 420 g (including battery).
3.2 Technical specifications
Environmental temperature: 235°C relative
humidity: ≤ 75%

3.2.1 Alternating current
- Maximum input current: 1,000A AC
- Frequency range: 40~400 Hz
3.2.2 Inrush current
< 60 A (for reference
only)
Integral time: 100 ms; measurement range:
20~1,000 A; frequency range: 40~400 Hz
3.2.3 DC voltage
- Input impedance: 10M
- Maximum input voltage: 750 V AC (effective value)
or 1,000 V DC.

- Input impedance: 10M
- Maximum input voltage: 750 V AC (effective
value) or 1,000 V DC.
- Frequency range: 40~400 Hz.
Note:
Under the small voltage range, there might be
reading on the meter before the probe is connected
to the measured circuit.
The above phenomenon is normal because the
meter has high sensitivity and it has no influence on
the actual measurement result.
3.2.5 Frequency
3.2.5.1 Frequency measurement with clamp (at
A gear):
- Measurement range: 10 Hz~1 kHz
- Range of input signal: ≥ 20A AC (the input current
is increased with the measured frequency)
- Maximal input current: AC 1000 A (effective value)

- Measurement range: 10 Hz~10kHz
- Range of input voltage: ≥ 1 V AC (effective value)
(the input voltage is increased with the measured
frequency)
- Input impedance: 10M
- Maximum input voltage: 750 V AC (effective
value)
3.2.5.3 At HZ/DUTY gear:
- Overload protection: 1,000 V DC or 750 V AC
(effective value)
- Range of input voltage: ≥ 2 V (the input voltage
is increased with the increase of the measured
frequency)