Specifications
Electrical data
Nominal current
30 A AC peak or DC
Measuring range
30 mA to 30 A DC (accurate)
5 mA to 30 A DC (usable)
Overload capacity
500 A for 60 s
Output sensitivity
100 mV/A
Accuracy
±(2% of reading + 2 mA)
Resolution
1 mA DC after filtering
di/dt tracking capability
> 20 A/µs
Conductor position
sensitivity
±1% relative to center
Temperature
coefficient
0.1 × specified accuracy/°C
(0 °C to 18 °C, 28 °C to 50 °C)
Frequency range
DC to 20 kHz (–0.5 dB)
Battery type
9 V PP3, MN 1604, 6F22, 6LR61
Battery life
100 hours typical (alkaline)
Min. load impedance
1 MΩ
All accuracies stated at 23 °C ±5 °C, 70 %RH max.
General data
Max. conductor size
19 mm diameter
Output cable and
connectors
2 m long coax. terminated
with safety BNC connector
Operating temperature
+5 °C to +40 °C
Storage temperature
(excluding battery)
–20 °C to +70 °C
Humidity
0 to 80 %RH
Altitude
0 to 2000 m
Weight
300 g
Dimensions (H x W x D)
200 mm x 72 mm x 38 mm
Pollution degree
2
Standards
Safety
EN 61010-1:2010
EN 61010-2-032:2012
Measurement category
CAT IV 600 V, CAT III 1000 V
EMC
EN 61326-1:2006
EN 61326-2-2:2006
RoHS
2011/65/EU
WEEE
2012/19/EU
Warranty
Your current clamp is guaranteed for one year from the date
of purchase against defective material or workmanship. If the
clamp fails during the warranty period, we shall, at our
discretion, repair or replace it with a new or reconditioned
unit provided we are satisfied that the failure is due to
defective material or workmanship. To make a claim under
warranty, return the clamp to us, postage prepaid, with a
description of the defect. The use of a battery other than that
specified invalidates this warranty.
Goods alleged by the buyer to be defective shall not form the
subject of any claim for injury, loss, damage, or any expense
howsoever incurred, whether arising directly or ind ire c tly
from such alleged defects other than death or personal injury
resulting from the seller’s negligence.
No condition is made or to be implied, nor is any warranty
given or to be implied as to the life or wear of goods supplied
or that they will be suitable for any particular purpose or for
use under specific conditions, notwithstanding that such
purpose or conditions may be made known to the seller.
TA234
30 A current clamp
User’s Guide
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Tel:
+44 (0) 1480 396395
Fax:
+44 (0) 1480 396296
Technical Support:
support@picotech.com
Web:
www.picotech.com
Pico Technology
and PicoScope are registered
trademark
s of Pico Technology Ltd.
Copyright ©
2015 Pico Technology. All rights reserved.
DO247
-2
Made in Korea
Introduction
The TA234 is a 30 A current clamp. It has extended
measuring jaws that allow measurement in a confined space.
When measuring DC, a simple thumbwheel on the clamp
allows zero adjustment.
Safety information
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or
damage to the product, carefully read this safety information
before attempting to install or use the clamp. In addition,
follow all generally accepted safety practices and pro ced ures
for working with and near electricity.
The clamp has been designed and tested in accordance with
the European standard publication EN 61010-1: 2010, and
left the factory in a safe condition. The following safety
descriptions are found throughout this guide:
A WARNING identifies conditions or practices that could
result in injury or death.
A CAUTION identifies co nditio ns or prac tic e s that co uld
result in damage to the product or equipment to which it is
connected.
Symbols
These safety and electrical symbols may appear on the clamp
or in this guide.
Direct current
Alternating current
Both direct and alternating current
Equipment protected through double or reinforced
insulation
Possibility of electric shock
Caution
IEC 61010 overvoltage c at eg ory
Do not dispose of this product as unsorted municipal
waste. Contact a qualified recycler for disposal or
return it to the manufacturer.
WARNING. To prevent injury or death use the clamp only as
instructed. Protection provided by the product may be
impaired if used other than in the manner specified.
CAUTION. To preve nt damage, alway s use and store your
current clamp in appropriate environments: see
Specifications.
Maximum input ranges
Observe all ratings and warnings marked on the clamp.
The table below indicates the full-scale measurement and
overcurrent protection ranges. The full-scale measurement
ranges are the maximum currents that can be accurately
measured by the clamp. The overcurrent protection range is
the maximum current that will not damage the clamp.
Full-scale measurement
range
Overcurrent protection range
(current that will not damage)
0 to 20 A AC
500 A for 60 s
0 to 30 A DC
WARNING. Signals exceeding the vo lta ge lim its in the table
below are defined as "hazardous live" by EN 61010.
Signal voltage limits of EN61010
± 70 V DC
33 V AC RMS
± 46.7 V pk max.
CAUTION. Exceed ing the ov erc urrent protection range can
cause permanent damage to the clamp and other connected
equipment.
WARNING. To prevent electric shock:
• Do not attempt to measure currents outside the specified
full-scale measurement ranges above.
• Take all necessary safety precautions when working on
equipment where hazardous live voltages may be
present.
• This product must be used only by qualified personnel
practising applicable safety precautions.
• Do do not use the clamp if it appears to be damaged in
any way, and stop using it immediately if you are
concerned by any abnormal behavior.
• Always ensure that the clamp is removed from any live
electrical circuit before removing the battery cover.
• Do not use in wet or damp conditions, or near explosive
gas or vapor.
• Do not hold the clamp anywhere beyond the tactile
barrier: see Fig. 1.
Operating instructions
Current measurement
1. Switch on the clamp using the ON/OFF switch and check
that the green POWER LED is lit.
2. The red LOW BAT LED lights when the battery voltage is
too low for normal operation. Follow the procedure
described below for changing the battery.
3. Connect the output BNC connector to the oscilloscope.
4. Ensuring that the jaws are closed, but not clamped
around or placed near a current-carrying conductor, turn
the DC ZERO di al until the o scil lo s c ope displays zero
signal. Repeat this procedure whenever the zero point
drifts due to temperature changes.
5. Clamp the jaws around the conductor, ensuring a good
contact between the closing faces of the jaws.
6. Take measurements from the oscilloscope. If using
PicoScope, select the “30 A current clamp” probe to
display the current in amperes. For other oscilloscopes ,
apply a conversion factor of 100 mV/A. Positive outp ut
indicates that the current is in the direction of the arrow
marked on the fixed jaw.
Remanence effect
When measuring DC current, a remanence effect can
temporarily prevent zeroing of the clamp. If this happens,
open and close the jaws several times and zero again.
If the jaws become magnetized by accidental exposure to a
current greater than 30 A, fit the clamp around the conduc to r
in the opposite direction to reverse the magnetization, then
remove from the conductor and zero the clamp.
Care of the product
The product contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair,
servicing and calibration require specialized te s t equipment
and must be performed only by Pico Technology or an
approved service provider. There may be a charge for these
services unless covered by the warranty.
CAUTION. Do not tamper with or d is asse mble the clamp.
Internal damage will affect performance.
WARNING. When cleaning the clamp, use a soft cloth and a
solution of mild soap or detergent in water. To prevent
electric shock, do not allow liquids to enter the casing as this
will compromise the components inside.
Battery replacement
The red LOW BAT LED (Fig. 1) will light when the minimum
battery voltage is approached. Use the following procedur e to
replace the battery:
1. Turn off the clamp us ing the ON/OFF switch and
disconnect the output lead from external equipment.
2. Loosen the captive screw that secures the battery cover
and lift off the cover. Replace the battery, refit the battery
cover and fasten the screw.
1. Jaws
2. Tactile barrier
3. Jaw trigger
4. Zeroing thumbwheel
5. On/off/range switch
6. Power LED
7. Low battery LED
8. Output connector
Figure 1
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