PCE Instruments PCE-PCM 1 Users guide

OPERATING MANUAL

1

Overview

This Operating Manual covers information on
safety and cautions. Please read the relevant
information carefully and observe all the Warnings
and Notes strictly.

Warning

To avoid electric shock or personal injury, read the

“Safety Information” and “Rules for Safe

Operation” carefully before using the Meter.

This clamp is a three phase intelligent handheld

digital power clamp meter (hereafter referred to as “the
Meter”) which has both the features of digital current

meter and also power measurement meter.

The Meter can measure Voltage, Current, Active
Power, Apparent Power, Reactive Power, Power
Factor, Phase Angle, Frequency, Active Energy and
etc.

2

Unpacking Inspection

Item

Description

Qty

1

English Operating

Manual

1 piece

2

Red Test Lead

3 piece

3

Black Test Lead

1 piece

4

Red Alligator Clip

3 piece

5

Black Alligator
Clip

1 piece

6

USB Interface
Cable

1 piece

7

Software

1 piece

8

Tool Box

1 piece

9

9V Battery

1 piece

Open the package case and take out the Meter. Check
the following items carefully to see any missing or
damaged part:

In the event you find any missing or damage, please
contact your dealer immediately.

3

Safety Information

This Meter complies with the standards IEC61010: in
pollution degree 2, overvoltage category (CAT. III
600V, CAT IV 300V) and double insulation.

CAT. III: Distribution level, fixed installation, with
smaller transient overvoltages than CAT. IV CAT.IV:
Primary supply level, overhead lines, cable systems
etc.

Use the Meter only as specified in this operating
manual, otherwise the protection provided by the
Meter may be impaired.

In this manual, a Warning identifies conditions and
actions that pose hazards to the user, or may damage
the Meter or the equipment under test.

A Note identifies the information that user should pay
attention to.

Rules For Safe Operation

Warning

To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury,
and to avoid possible damage to the Meter or to the
equipment under test, adhere to the following rules:

Before using the Meter inspect the case. Do not
use the Meter if it is damaged or the case (or part of

4

the case) is removed. Look for cracks or missing
plastic. Pay attention to the insulation around the
connectors.
 Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or
exposed metal. Replace damaged test leads with
identical model number or electrical specifications
before using the Meter.
 Do not apply more that the rated voltage, as
marked on the Meter.
 When measurement has been completed,
disconnect the connection between the test leads and
the circuit under test, remove the
esting leads away from the input terminals of the Meter
and turn the Meter power off.
Do not carry out the measurement when the
Meter’s back case and / or battery door is opened to
avoid electric shock.
When the Meter working at an effective voltage
over 30V in AC, special care should be taken.
Use the proper terminals and functionyou're your
measurements.
Do not use or store the Meter in an environment of
high temperature, humidity, explosive, inflammable
and strong magnetic field. The performance of the
Meter may deteriorate after dampened.
Do not use the Meter if the surface of it is wet or
the user’s hands are wet.
When using the test leads, keep your fingers
behind the finger guards.

5

Replace the battery as soon as the battery
indicator appears. With a low battery, the Meter
might produce false readings that can lead to electric
shock and personal injury.

When opening the battery door, must make sure
the Meter is power off.
When servicing the Meter, use only the same
model number or identical electrical specifications
replacement parts.
The internal circuit of the Meter shall not be altered
at will to avoid damage of the Meter and any accident.
Soft cloth and mild detergent should be used to
clean the surface of the Meter when servicing. No
abrasive and solvent should be used to prevent the
surface of the Meter from corrosion, damage and
accident.

The Meter is suitable for indoor use.
Turn the Meter off when it is not in use and take

out the battery when not using for a long time.
Constantly check the battery as it may leak when it
has been using for some time, replace the battery as
soon as leaking appears. A leaking battery will
damage the Meter.

6

The Meter Structure

Red Blue Yellow Black

A. The Meter Front Structure (see figure 1)

Figure 1

7

1

Transformer Jaw: designed to pick up the AC
and DC current flowing through the conductor.
It could transfer current to voltage. The tested
conductor must vertically go through the Jaw
center.

2

Hand Guards: to protect user’s hand from

touching the dangerous area.

3

MR button (recall data)

4

SEL / ▲ button (press to select phase and sum
of Watts measurement)

5

MAXMIN / ▼ button

6

SAVE button (data store button)

7

LCD Display

8

L2 Input Terminal(Second phase
measurement)

9

L3 Input Terminal (Third phase measurement)

10

COM Input Terminal

11

L1 Input Terminal (First phase measurement)

8

12

USB button

13

CLEAR button

14

LIGHT button (auto display backlight button)

15

∑ button (Sum)

16

HOLD button

17

Rotary function switch

18

NCV indicate lamp

B. The Meter Back and Bottom Structure

(see figure 2)

Figure 2

9

1

Infrared slot

2

USB Interface Cable

Button

Operation Performed

HOLD

Press HOLD to enter the Hold
mode any mode, appears and the

Meter beeps.
Press HOLD again to exit the Hold
mode to return to measurement mode,

the Meter beeps and, disappears.

Press the backlight button when
needed. Auto shut-down backlight after
lighting 20secs.Press the button again,
turn the backlight off manually

∑

At Active power (main display) +
Phase angle (secondary display)
mode, press ∑ once button to sum up

FUNCTION
Below table indicated for information about the
functional button operations.

10

the current phase of 3 phase
measurement result. Then carry out
second phase power measurement.
Press ∑ and hold for over 1 second
to sum up the phase power
measurement result which had been
selected.
 if you didn`t select any phase of 3
phase, ∑ is invaild.

SAVE

Press once to store single reading,
and the Meter beeps.The index number
shown on the left secondary display
keep on increasing. The maximum
number of data store is 99, when it
achieves 99, the Meter shows .

SEL

press SEL button to step through
first phase, second phase, third phase
and sum of watts.
Press SEL and hold for over 2
second to enter 3P3W mode.

MAXMIN

Press to start recording of maxinmum it
valid at voltage, current, active power

11

and apparent power ranges only.

CLEAR

At active energy range, press
CLEAR and hold for over 1 second to
reset time the zero, then restart the
timing.
At all other ranges, press CLEAR
and hold for over 1 second to clear
stored readings.

MR

Press once to enter Memory Record
mode, appears and the Meter

beeps.

▼/▲

If the Meter steps through sum of

power press ▼/▲ button to switch
display of active power (main
display) , sum of reactive power
(secondary display) , sum of power
factor (main display) and sum of
apparent power.

In the MR mode, press ▼/▲ to

select recoded data.

USB

Measurement data will be sent to the PC

12

1. Turn the rotary switch deasil to make the position away
from the OFF position. Hearing a beep sound indicates the
meter is turned on. The LCD displays all symbols firstly and
then return to the normal mode. If the symbol is
displayed, please changed the battery.

2. After auto-shut-off, there are some parts of the circuit of
the meter which is still work. If no measurement needed in a

longer time, you’d better turn the rotary switch back to the

OFF position.

3. Press the backlight button when needed. Auto shut-down
backlight after lighting 18secs.Press the button again, turn
the backlight off manually

Display Symbols (see figure 3)

Figure 3

13

USB

Data Output is in progress

First phase symbol

Second phase symbol

Third phase symbol

h

Unit for hour

mm

Unit for minute

HZ

PG

KVAr

Hz: Hertz.The unit of frequency.

PG: The unit of phase angle

KVAr. The unit of reactive power

∑ W

Watt: Sum of Watt

The battery is low.

Warning: To avoid false

readings, which could lead to

possible electric shock or

personal injury, replace the

battery as soon as the battery

indicator appears.

S

Unit for second

14

MAX

MIN

Maxinum and Minimum reading

Analogue Bar Graph

Overloading

Ruler

CLEAR

Indicator for clear the stored reading

Negative symbol

High voltage symbol

AC

Indicator for AC voltage or current

MR

Indicator for recall the stored

reading

Hz

Frequency symbol

MEM

Indicator for data store

FUL

Indicator for data stored is full

Data hold is active

15

Measurement Operation

Preparation

Dial the Rotary to any active measure range

Replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator

appears on the display.
Non-Contact Voltage Detector

WARNING: Risk of Electrocution. Before use, always test the

Voltage Detector on a known live circuit to verify
proper operation.

1. Rotate the Function switch to any measurement position.

2. Place the detector probe tip on the conductor to be tested.
NOTE: The conductors in electrical cord sets are often twisted.

For best results, move the probe tip along a length of the
cord to assure placing the tip close to the live conductor.

NOTE: The detector is designed with

high sensitivity. Static
electricity or other sources of
energy may randomly trip the
sensor. This is normal
operation.

16

A. AC Voltage (main display) + Frequency

Red

(secondary display) Measurement (see figure 4)

Figure 4

The AC Voltage ranges are:100V, 400V and 750V

The frequency range is:50Hz~60Hz

To measure AC voltage + frequency, connect the
Meter as follows:

1. Insert the red test lead into the L1, L2, L3 input
terminal, and black test lead to the COM input
terminal.

2. Dial the Rotary to VAC to select Voltage +
Frequency range.

3. Connect the red test leads (L1, L2, L3 input
terminal)to the corresponding three phases loaded live
wire. Black test lead (COM input terminal) to the
corresponding three phases loaded neutral wire.

17

4. Press SEL to select phase location, the display
shows the corresponding phase symbol. L1 means the
first phase , L2 means the second phase , L3
means the third phase .

5. The display shows the corresponding True RMS
voltage value and frequency value of each phase.

6. Press MAXMIN, the LCD displays , it starts
recording the maximum AC voltage True RMS value.

7. Press MAXMIN the LCD displays , it starts
recording the minimum AC voltage True RMS value.
Press MAXMIN again to show the current AC voltage
True RMS value.

8. The display shows 0L when the input voltage is
higher than 750V rms.

Note

When the measurement has been completed,
disconnect the connection between the testing leads
and the circuit under test and remove testing leads
from the input terminals.

18

B. AC Current (main display) + AC Voltage
(secondary display) Measurement (see figure 5)

Figure 5

The AC current ranges are: 40A, 100A, 400A and
1000A

The AC Voltage ranges are: 100V, 400V and
750V

To measure AC current + AC voltage, connect the
Meter as follows:

1. Dial the Rotary to AAC to select AC Curren + AC
Voltage range.

19

2. Press the lever to open the transformer jaw.

3. Center the conductor within the transformer jaw,
then release the Meter slowly until the trasnformer jaw
is completely closed, Make sure the conductor to be
tested is placed at the center of the transformer jaw,
otherwise it will casue deviation. The Meter can only
measure one conductor at a time, to meausre more
than one condutor at a time will cause deviation.

4. The double display shows the AC current True RMS
value and AC voltage True RMS value.

5. Press MAXMIN, the LCD displays , it starts
recording the maximum AC current True RMS value.

6. Press MAXMIN, the LCD displays , it starts
recording the minimum AC current True RMS value.
Press MAXMIN, again to show the present AC current
True RMS value.

7. The display shows 0L when the current of the tested
conductor is higher than 1000A rms.

Note

When the measurement has been completed,
disconnect the connection between the conductor
under test and the jaw, and remove the conductor
away from the transformer jaw of the Meter.

20

C. Active Power (main display) + Phase Angle
(secondary display) Measurement

Warning
To avoid damages to the Meter or harms to you, do
you measure higher than AC voltage 750 v and AC
current 1000A.

To measure active power + phase angle, connect the
Meter as follows:

1. Diar the Rotary to KW to select Active power +
Phase angle range.

2. Press the lever to open the transformer jaw, and
clamp them to the corrresponding phase of tested
conductor. If user needs to mesaure any phase of the
3 phase, then clamp them to that phase’s conductor.

3. Connecting method (see figure 6, 7, 8):

4. Insert red test leads to L1, L2, L3 input terminal and
connecting it to every live wire of the 3 phase.

5. Insert black test leads to COM input terminal and
connect it to the neutrual wire of the 3 phase.
When measuring 3 phase 4 wires, connecting the
Meter as figure 6.

21

Figure 6

Red

Blue

Yellow

Measuring instruction

1. Press SEL to choose first phase , see
figure 7. The double displays show the acitve
power kW value and the PG value of the second
phase 1.

Figure 7

22

If necessary, press ∑ to get the sum of watts as figure

8.

Figure 8

2. After record the current power measurement value
of the first phase, then press SEL to choose , The
double display shows the value of acitve power kW
and PG of the second phase 2. as figure 9

Figure 9

23

If ncessary, press ∑ to get the sum of watts as figure

10.

Figure 10

3. After record the current power meaursuremnt value
of the second phase, then press SEL again to choose

, The double display shows the value of acitve

power KW and PG of the third phase. as figure 11.

Figure 11

24

If ncessary, press ∑ to get the sum of watts as figure12

Figure 12

4. After record the current power measurement value
of the third phase, finally press ∑ and hold for
1seconds to display the 3 phase sum of acitve power
value and apparent power value, as figure 13.

Figure 13

Press ▲ as figure 14 to step through in sequence

three

25

phase sum of active power+three phase sum of
reacitve power, and three phase sum of power factor +
3 phase sum of apparent power.

Figure 14

Press ∑ and hold for 1seconds again back to the
normal measuring mode.
In figure 6 ∑W = W1 + W2 + W3.
When measuring 3 phase 3 wires, Hold SEL for 5
seconds and the Meter show , press SEL again
for 5 seconds to exit 3 phase 3 wires ,connecting the
Meter as figure 15.

26

Figure 15

1. Insert red test leads to L1, L3 input terminal.

2. Insert black test leads to COM input terminal and
connect it to the neutrual wire of the 3 phase.

3. Jump over the second phase measurement.

4. The first and the third phase measuring method is
same as 3 phase 4 wires.
In figure 15 ∑W = W2 + W3.
NOTE
 It can only sum up the current measurement value.
The maximum and minimum value cannot be summed
up.

Only at KW range can carry out sum of watts
measurement, other ranges cannot carry out this
measurement.
When testing has been completed, disconnect the
connection between the testing leads and the circuit
under test and remove testing leads from the input
terminals.

27

D. Apparent Power (main display) + Reactive
Power
(secondary display) Measurement
 Please refer to C
E. Reactive Power (main display) + Apparent
Power
(secondary display) Measurement
Please refer to C.
F. Power Factor (main display) + Phase Angle
(secondary display) Measurement

Warning
To avoid damages to the Meter or harms to you, do
you measure higher than AC voltage 750V rms and
AC current 1000A rms.

To test for Power factor (main display) + Phase angle
(secondary display), connect the Meter as follows:

1. Dial the Rotary to cosθ to select Power factor +
Phase angle range.

2. Press the lever to open the transformer jaw, and
clamp them to the corrresponding phase of tested
conductor. If user needs to mesaure any phase of the
3 phase, then clamp them to that phase’s conductor.

3. The connecting method of 3 phases 4 wires or 3
phases 3 wires, refer to figure 6 and 15

4. When measuring 3 phase 4 wires: (see figure 18, 19
and 20)
Press SEL to choose the first phase , see figure

18.

28

Figure 18

The double display shows the first phase value of

power factor PF and phase angle PG.

Then press SEL again to choose the second phas,

see figure 19.
Press SEL to choose the second phase , see

figure 19.

Figure 19

The double display shows the second phase value of

29

power factor PF and phase angle PG.

Then press SEL again to choose the third phas,
see figure 20.
Press SEL to choose the third phase , see figure

20.

Figure 20

5. When measuring 3 phase 3 wires:
The first phase and third phase operating method
is same as 3 phase 4 wires.
Jump over the second phase measurement.

6. MAXMIN button are not valid when measuring
power factor.

F. Active Energy (main display) + Time (secondary
display) Measurement

Warning
To avoid damages to the Meter or harms to you, do
you measure higher than AC voltage 750V rms and
AC current 1000A rms.

To test for Active Energy (main display) + Time
(secondary display), connect the Meter as follows:

30

1. Dial Rotary to ENERGY range.

2. Press the lever to open the transformer jaw, and
clamp them to the corrresponding phase of tested
conductor. If user needs to mesaure any phase of the
3 phase, then clamp them to that phase’s conductor.

3. The connecting method of 3 phase 4 wires and 3
phases 3 wires, see figure 6 and 15

4. Press SEL to choose one of the three phases, see
figure 21.

Figure 21

The double display shows the value of tested

object’s active engergy kWh value and the measuring
time of the corresponding phase.
The measuring reading gets increasing along with
the time increases. Press HOLD to read a particular
time kWh value. Then the reading and time are locked,
but still continuous accumulate measuring time.
After read the data, press HOLD again to
continous measurement. kWh value continous
accumulate and the measuring time jumps to the
present measuring time.

31

When the measuring time is over 24 hours or the
Meter is switched to other measuring ranges, active
energy measuring will stop.
The maximum readinng of acitve energy is
9999kWh. OL will be displayed when the reading is
over than that.

5. MAXMIN are not valid when measuring active
energy.

6. Press CLEAR and hold for 1 seconds to reset the
time and energy.

Note

When there is no input signal, it cannot carry out
active energy measurement.
When testing has been completed, disconnect the
connection between the testing leads and the circuit
under test and remove testing leads from the input
terminals.

True RMS Measurement and Average
Value Measurement

The True RMS measurement method can
measure accurately the effective value of non-sine
wave input signal.

Average value measurement method can
measure the mean value of one sine wave input signal,
and then displays it as RMS value
When the input waveform has distortion, measuring

tolerance will be included. The total tolerance depends
on the total distortion. Below table 1 shows the
waveform coefficient and the relationship and the
requested changing factor of sine wave, square wave,

32

pulse rectangle wave, sawtooth triangle wave, RMS

22

KVArKW 

value and average value.
The clamp Meter software designning base on the
following formula:

 KW = KVA × Cosθ
 KVAr = KVA × Sinθ
 KVA =

33

Accurate Specifications

Range

Reso
lution

Accuracy

Allowable
Maximum
overload
protection
voltage

Input
Imped
ance

Frequency
Range

100V

0.1V

±

(1.2%+5)

750 RMS

10M

50Hz~200
Hz

400V

750V

Range

Resolution

Accuracy

50Hz~200Hz

1Hz

±(0.5%+5)

Accuracy: (a% reading + b digits), guarantee for 1
year.
Operating temperature: 23℃±5℃
Operating humidity: 45~75%R.H

A. AC Voltage (True RMS)

B. Frequency

34

C. AC Current (True RMS)

Range

Resolution

Accuracy

Allowable
Maximum

overload

protection

current

Frequency

Range

40A

0.1A

±(2%+5)

1000A RMS

50Hz~60Hz

100A

400A

1000A

1A

Current / Voltage

Voltages Range

100V

400V

750V

Current
Range

40A

4.00KW

16.00KW

30.00KW

100A

10.00KW

40.00KW

75.00KW

400A

40.00KW

160.0KW

300.0KW

1000A

100.0KW

400.0KW

750.0KW
Accuracy

±(3%+5)

Resolution

<1000KW: 0.01KW 100kW: 0.1KW

D. Active Power ( W=V x A x COSθ )

35

E. Apparent Power (VA = V x A)

Current / Voltage

Voltages Range

100V

400V

750V

Current
Range

40A

4.00KVA

16.00KVA

30.00KVA
100A

10.00KVA

40.00KVA

75.00KVA

400A

40.00KVA

160.0KVA

300.0KVA

1000A

100.0KVA

400.0KVA

750.0KVA

Accuracy

±(3%+5)

Resolution

<1000KVA: 0.01KVA 100kW: 0.1KVA

36

F. Reactive Power (Var = V x A x SINθ )

Current / Voltage

Voltages Range

100V

400V

750V

Current

Range

40A

4.00KVAr

16.00KVAr

30.00KVAr

100A

10.00KVAr

40.00KVA

75.00KVAr

400A

40.00KVAr

160.0KVAr

300.0KVAr

1000A

100.0KVAr

400.0KVAr

750.0KVAr
Accuracy

±(3%+5)

Resolution

<1000KVAr: 0.01KVAr 100kW: 0.1KVAr

Range

Accuracy

Resolution

Measuring Condition

0.3~1

(capacitive

or

inductive)

±0.022

0.001

The minimum measuring

current 10A

The minimum measuring

voltage 45V

0.3~1

(capacitive

or

inductive)

For reference only

Measuring current less

than 10A OR

Measuring voltage less

than 45V

G. Power Factor (PF = W / VA)

37

H. Phase Angle (PG=acos (PF))

Range

Accuracy

Resolution

Measuring
Condition

0O ~90

O

(capacitive or
inductive)

±2O

1O

The minimum
measuring
current 10A
The minimum
measuring
voltage 45V

0O ~90O
(capacitive or
inductive)

For reference only

Measuring
current less
than 10A OR
Measuring
voltage less
than 45V

Range

Accuracy

Resolution

1~9999kWh

±(3%+2)

0.001kWh

I. Active Energy (kWh)

Remarks:
Allowable maximum overload protection voltage:
750V RMS
Allowable maximum overload protection current:
1000A RMS

38

SPECIFICATIONS

Basic Functions

Range

Best Accuracy

AC Voltage

100V/400V/750V

±(1.2%+5digits)

AC Current

40A/100A/400A/1000A

±(2%+5 digits)

Active Power

0.01kW-750kW

±(3%+5 digits)

Apparent Power

0.01kVA-750kVA

±(3%+5 digits)

Reactive Power

0.01kVAr-750kVAr

±(4%+5 digits)

Power Factor

0.3~1(Capacitive or

Inductive )

±(0.02+2 digits)

Phase Angle

0O ~90

O

±2

O

Frequency

50Hz-200Hz

√

Active Energy

0.001~9999 kWh

±(3%+2 digits)

Temperature

-50OC~1300OC

-58OF~2372OF

Special Functions

Auto Ranging

√

Single-phase 2-wire

√

Balance 3-phase

3-wire

√

39

3-phase 4-wire

√

True RMS

AC Voltage or Curren

√

Data Logging

99

√

Data Recall

√

Max/Min Mode

√

Data Hold

√

USB

√

Display Backlight

√

Full Icon Display

√

Sleep Mode

√

Low Battery Display

√

Input Impedance for

AC Voltage

Measurement

Around 10MW

√

Max. Display

9999

√

Analogue Bar Graph

√

40