PDi CA-400D Operator's Manual

PDI CA-400D

AC/DC CURRENT CLAMP

OPERATO R’S MANUAL

International Safety Symbols

This symbol, adjacent to another symbol or
terminal, indicates the user must refer to the
manual for further information.

SAFETY NOTES：

• Do not exceed the maximum allowable input

range of any function.

• Set the function switch OFF when the meter is not

in use.

INTRODUCTION

The AC/DC Current Clamp is a transducer which will
allow your multimeter to measure electrical and/or
electronic current up to 400 amperes AC/DC, with a
frequency response to 50/60Hz. There is no need to
break a circuit or to remove the insulation when
measuring current with this clamp.
When measuring DC current, the CA-400D offers the
user “zero” adjustment by turning the DC ZERO
knob on the clamp probe.

NOTE: Keep the cla mp j aw closed around wire/cable,

to ensure the accurate readings during current test.

MEASURING CURRENT

1. Insert the black banan a plug into the COM jack

and the red banana plug into the V jack of any
multimeter with a minimum input impedance of
10k ohms.(OUTPUT and V jack link)

2. Set the power switch from “OFF” to th e desired

range, 40A (output: 10mV/A) or 400A (1 mV / A)
position. The green LED will light to indicate
that the clamp is switched on.

3. For current measurement b elow 40A, set the unit

to 40 A range and set the multimeter to 400mV or
600mV AC range for AC current measurements,
or 400mV or 600mV DC range for DC current
measurements. If the measured current exceeds
40A, set the unit to 400A range.

4. When measuring DC current, always turn the

zero adjustment knob on the clamp until the
multimeter reads zero, before taking your
measurement.

5. Clamp the jaws around the current-carrying

conductor and interpret the reading according to
Step 3 above. For more detail, refer to section
below.

HOW TO INTERPRET READINGS

When 40A range is selected, the measured current
value in Amps if the multimeter reads 100mV, is
100mV/(10mV/A)=10A. To simplify that, move the
decimal point one position to the left.
When 400A range is selected, the measured current
value in Amps if the multimeter reads 100mV, is
100mV/(1mV/A)=100A. To simplify that, the mV
reading is equal to the Amp reading.

APPLICATION NOTES

1. In the case of DC current, the output is positive

when the current flows from the upside to the
underside of the clamp. The red banana plug is
positive (OUTPUT aperture).

2. In the case of DC current measurement, a

hysteresis effect can occur makin g it impossible
to zero the clamp properly. To eliminate this
effect, open and close the jaws several times then
turn zero adjustment knob.

Non-Contact AC Voltage Measurements

WARNING: Risk of Electrocution. Before use,

always test the Voltage Detector on a known live

circuit to verify proper operation

1. Touch the probe tip to the hot conductor or insert into

the hot side of the electrical outlet.

2. If AC voltage is present, a r ed detector LED will

illuminate.

NOTE: The conductors in electrical cord sets are often

twisted. For best results, drag the probe tip along
a length of the cord to assure pl acing the tip in
close proximity 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

OPERATOR SAFETY

1. Do not clamp around conductors with voltages

equal to or exceeding 60 0V DC or 600V rms AC.

2. To avoid physical injury, measurements on bare

conductors or conductors with cracked or frayed
insulator are forbidden.

SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL

Captured Conductor Size: 1 ¼ inch
Low Battery Indictor: Red LED light
Operating Temperature: 32°F to 122°F, 70% R.H.
Storage Temperature: -4°F to 158°F, 80% R.H.
Battery Type: Two “AAA” 1.5V Battery

ELECTRICAL (73°±5°F, 70% R .H. maximum)
Effective Measurement Range

40A (output: 10mV/A): DC or rms AC for 400mV or
600mV range of the multimeter.
400A (output: 1mV/A): DC or rms AC for 400mV or
600mV range of the multimeter.

Accuracy
Current Clamp Accuracy:

DCA range: 40A

0~40.0ADC: ± (2.5% +0.1A)

DC range :400A

0~400ADC: ± (2.8% +0.5A)

ACA range: 40A(50/60Hz)

0~40.0AAC: ± (2.5% +0.1A)

ACA range: 400A(50/60Hz)
0~400AAC: ± (2.8% +0.5A)

WARRANTY

This PDI product is warrantied to be free from defects
in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2)
years from the verified date of purchase. During the
two year warranty period, PDI will either repair or
replace the defective unit, at PDI’s discretion. A
purchase receipt or other acceptable form of proof of
original purchase date will be required before any
warranty processes begin . PDI warran ts all auth orized
repairs with a six (6) month limited warranty. View
full warranty details and register your PDI product at

www.PDImeters.com
NOTE: Online product registration is required for
all warranty claims.

SAFETY INFORMATION

The instrument complies with class II, overvoltage
CAT III - 600V of the EN 61010-1, and EN
61010-2-032 standards. Pollution degree 2 in
accordance with IEC 664 indoor use. If the equipment
is used in a manner not specified, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.

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