Radio Shack Marine Instruments User Manual

Clamp-On AC Ammeter

with Detachable Multimeter

Owner’s Manual

Please read before using this equipment.

ˆ

Contents

Features ........................................................................................................... 3

A Word About Safety .................................................................................. 4

Special Panel Markings .................................................................................. 5

Specifications .................................................................................................. 6

Ranges ....................................................................................................... 6

Accuracy .................................................................................................... 6

Miscellaneous ............................................................................................ 6

A Quick Look at Your Multimeter ................................................................... 7

Preparation ...................................................................................................... 8

Installing a Battery ...................................................................................... 8

Connecting the Test Leads ........................................................ ...... ..... ...... 9

Connecting the AC Ammeter to the Multimeter .......................................... 9

Zero Adjustment ....................................................................................... 10

Using the Multimeter ..................................................................................... 10

Making Measurements ............................................................................. 10

Measuring DC/AC Voltage ....................................................................... 11

Measuring Three-Phase AC Voltage ................................................ 12

Measuring AC Voltage Riding on a DC Source Bias ........................ 13

Measuring Current ................................................................................... 13

Measuring DC Current ...................................................................... 13

Measuring AC Current in a Wire ....................................................... 14

Measuring Wattage .................................................................................. 16

Measuring Resistance .............................................................................. 16

Care ................................................................................................................ 17

Cleaning ................................................................................................... 17

Replacing the Fuse .................................................................................. 18

©

2001 RadioShack Corporation.

RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.

2

All Rights Reserved.

Contents

ˆ

Features

Your RadioShack Clamp-On AC Am­meter with Detachable Multimeter is
designed with a precision meter
movement to avoid mechanical shock
damage. Your portable, c om pa ct m ul­timeter is ideal for field, lab, shop,
bench, and home applications. The
multimeter measures DC and AC cur­rent, DC and AC voltage, and resis­tance.

Important:

• This multimeter is designed for

indoor use only.

• Completely read this manual

before you use the multimeter.

• If you are not familiar with multi-

meters and testing procedures,
we suggest you read the book

Using Your Meter

your local RadioShack store)
before you use this multimeter.

Here are some features that make
your multimeter a real pro:

(available at

Fuse and Diode Protection

protect the multimeter.

Battery Condition Testing

multimeter shows when you need to
replace the battery.

Detachable Test Leads

store the multimeter neatly and con­nect the test leads only when you
need to use the multimeter.

Deluxe Carrying Case

your multimeter, ammeter, and test
leads and let s you take them almost
anywhere.

Your multimeter has passed the criti­cal safety tes ts required by Under wr it­ers Laboratories for test equipment,
meets UL 3111 Installation Category
1, Pollution Degree 2, and its 2000
ohm/volt sensitivity ensures accurate
readings.

Note:

Your multimeter requires one

AAA battery (not supplied).

— help

— the

— let you

— protects

Detachable Clamp-On AC Ammeter

— lets you measure AC current by
simply clamping arou nd a wi re quick ly
and safely.

Hold Function

the displayed value when measuring
AC current, so you can see the read­ing even aft er you disconnect the am­meter.

— lets you easily hold

Features

3

A WORD ABOUT
SAFETY

We have taken every precaution in
designing this multimeter to ensure
that it is as safe as we can make it.
But safe operation depends on you,
the operator. We recommend that
you follow these simple safety rules:

• Never apply voltages to the mul­timeter that exceed the limits
given in “Specifications” on
Page 6. Never apply more than
500V DC or 500V RMS AC
between any input terminals or
between an input terminal and
ground.

• Use extreme caution when work­ing with voltages above 40V.
Always disconnect power from
the circuit you are measuring
before you connect test leads to
high-voltage points.

• Never connect the test leads to a
source of voltage when the func-

R

1K

Ω,

, or

××××

ACA

tion selector is set to

R

100

150mA DC mA

Ω

××××

,

• Always discharge any capacitors
of the circuit under test before
you attach test leads.

cover is in place and fully closed
with the screw fully tightened.

• Because many AC/DC sets have
a potentially hot chassis, be sure
the top of your workbench and
the floor underneath it are made
of non-conductive materials.

This multimeter is fully calibrated and
tested. Under normal use, no further
adjustment should be necessary ex­cept as noted in this Owner’s Manual.
If the multimeter requires repair, do
not try to adjust it yourself. Take it to
your local RadioShack store.

WARNINGS:

• USE EXTREME CAUTION IN
THE USE OF THIS DEVICE.
IMPROPER USE OF THIS
DEVICE CAN RESULT IN
INJURY OR DEATH. FOLLOW
ALL SAFEGUARDS SUG­GESTED IN THIS OWNER’S
MANUAL IN ADDITION TO
NORMAL SAFETY PRECAU­TIONS IN DEALING WITH

.

ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS. DO
NOT USE THIS DEVICE IF YOU
ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH ELEC­TRICAL CIRCUITS AND TEST­ING PROCEDURES.

• Always turn off power and dis­connect the test leads from the
circuit you are testing before you
replace the multimeter’s battery.

• Never operate the multimeter
unless its battery compartment

4

• NEVER TRY TO PROBE WITH
BOTH TEST LEADS AT THE
SAME TIME OR HOLD BOTH
TEST LEADS IN ONE HAND.

• USE EXTREME CARE WHILE
USING THE MULTIMETER TO

Features

MEASURE CURRENT AND
VOLTAGE IN COMMERCIAL
ELECTRICAL PANELS. UNLIKE
A HOME AC OUTLET, A COM­MERCIAL ELECTRICAL PANEL
HAS TREMENDOUS CUR­RENT SURGE POTENTIAL.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE
FOR THREE-PHASE INDUS­TRIAL ELECTRICAL PANELS. A
SMALL SPARK FROM ONE OF
THESE PANELS CAN CAUSE A
PLASMA EXPLOSION AND
FIRE THAT CAN SEVERELY
BURN YOU. DO NOT HOLD
THE MULTIMETER WHILE
USING IT.

ˆ

Special Panel Markings

For your safety, we ha ve add ed s pe ci al m ark in gs t o th e m ulti me ter’ s p ane l to re­mind you of the measurement limitations.

• ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTIVE

LEATHER GLOVES, A FACE
SHIELD, AND FIREPROOF ARM
AND UPPER BODY PROTEC­TION WHILE U SING THE MULTI­METER TO MEASURE
CURRENT AND VOLTAGE IN
COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL
PANELS.

• IF THIS EQUIPMENT IS USED

IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED
BY THE MANUFACTURER,
THE PROTECTION PROVIDED
BY THE EQUIPMENT MAY BE
IMPAIRED.

• TO REDUCE THE RISK OF

FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

500V
MAX

500V
RMS
MAX

!

To avoid electrical shock or damage to the m ulti me ter, do
not connect the ground terminal (
that exceeds 500 volts with respect to earth/ground.

To avoid electrical shock or damage to the m ulti me ter, do
not connect the te st le ads to a ny sou rce th at e xcee ds 500
volts RMS AC.

Caution:

operating instructions.

Caution:

measurements; DO NOT TOUCH TERMINALS OR
PROBE ENDS.

Risk of electric shock! Refer to the complete

Be extra careful when making high-voltage

Special Panel Markings

jack) to any source

–

5

ˆ

Specifications

RANGES

AC/DC Voltage........................................... ..... ...... .................... 15V, 150V, 500V

DC Current .............................................................................................. 150 mA

AC Current ..................................................................................... 3A, 15A, 30A

Resistance ...................................................................... 100kΩ (Center 3.5KΩ),

10KΩ (Center 350Ω)

ACCURACY

DC .......................................................................................... ±3.0% of full scale

AC .......................................................................................... ±4.0% of full scale

Resistance ................................................................... ±3.0% at full scale length

Sensitivity, AC/DC Voltage ............................................................... 2000 Ω/Volt

MISCELLANEOUS

Operating Temperature ............................................... 32 to 109.4°F (0 to 43°C)

Storage Temperature .................................................. –4 to 140°F (–20 to 60°C)

Power Source ........................................................................... One AAA battery

7

Dimensions (HWD) .......................................................... 7

Weight ........................................................................................... 8.8 oz (250 g)

Included Accessories .......................................................................... Test leads

/8 × 25/8 × 11/8 Inches

(200 × 66 × 28 mm)

AC Ammeter

Carrying Case

Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are subject
to change and improvement without notice.

6

Specifications