Operators Manual
True RMS Radio Ampstik
Radio Linked Multiple Reading Ammeter
Model 6-120
SensorLink
®
Model 8-120
Sensor Transmitter Meter
Model 8-121
Receiver Display
Operators Manual
True RMS Radio Ampstik
Radio Linked Multiple Reading Ammeter
Model 6-120
Table of Contents
Safety Information 2
Specifi cations 2
Radio Information 3
Operating Instructions 4-5
High Voltage Operation 6
Battery Replacement 6
Cleaning 6
Warranty 7
Safety Information
The True RMS Radio Ampstik is designed for use with a suitable universal hot stick. All precautions
appropriate for the line voltage should be taken. The hot stick should be considered the sole
voltage isolation device. For safety purposes the face plate, battery cover, chuck, and entire Radio
Ampstik Transmitter should be considered to be at the same potential. Putting the face plate,
battery cover, chuck, or other parts of the Radio Ampstik Transmitter within the air gap of adjacent
phases or ground could cause a phase to phase or phase to ground fault.
Specifi cations
The True RMS Radio Ampstik has been developed specifi cally for mea sure ment of AC cur rent
in the electrical utility industry. The True RMS feature allows accurate mea sure ment of current
even when the nominal waveform is distorted or when harmonics are present. This may be the
case with Y connected transformer neutral leads and dis tri bu tion to many in dus tri al customers
using SCR con trol lers and other switching de vic es. This in stru ment can be used re mote ly with any
hotstick and universal chuck adapter or can be hand held. The in stru ment has no moving parts
and does not require clamping onto the wire. The case is water resistant and will withstand high
physical impact. The following specifi cations apply:
Model Number 6-120
(Includes both 8-120 Sensor Transmiter & 8-121 Receiver Display)
Range of Operation
Voltage 0-69kV
Current 1-5000A
Frequency 60 Hz (57 to 63 Hz) or 50 Hz (47 to 53 Hz)
Actual Frequency indicated on back of meter
Sensor Opening Standard
Opening Width 2.50 in
(6.35 cm)
Resolution
Amps 1-99.9A 0.1A
Amps 100-5000A 1A
Accuracy ± 1% ± 2 Digits
Operation Controls One button operation
Mechanical
Weight 2.5 lbs. 1.14 kg.
Operating Temperature 0° to +54° C (32° to +129° F)
Display 5 Digit Display
Storage Four Readings
Housing Shock & water resistant molded urethane
Hotstick mounting Universal chuck adapter (Hotstick not included)
Battery 9 volt alkaline or lithium (1 ea in Transmitter & Receiver)*
Battery Life 5 days continuous use*
Radio
Frequency 916.48MHz
Power .1 milliwatt
Range 50 Feet (15.24 Meters)
Page 2
Low and High Temperature Applications
The Alkaline Battery limits the operation of the Radio Ampstik from -20°C (-4°F)
to 54°C (129°F) By substituting a Lithium long-life battery the Radio Ampstik can
operate from or-30°C (-22°F ) to 60°C (140°F)
9 volt Lithium batteries are the same long-life batteries used in smoke detectors.
They sell by the brand names UltraLife and Energizer.
Note:
Alkaline operating time reduced to 25% at -4° F or -20° C
Lithium operating time reduced to 75% at -4° F or -20° C
Page 3
Operating Instructions
1 Turning on the Radio Ampstik
To take a measurement, both the Transmitter Sensor and the Receiver Display need
to be powered on.
Turn on the Radio Ampstik Transmitter. Press and release the on/off/hold
switch on the Radio Ampstik Transmitter. The LED on the Transmitter Sensor will
fl ash, indicating that it is powered on.
Turn on the Ampstik/Voltstik Receiver. Press and release the on/off/hold switch
on the Radio Ampstik Receiver. The receiver is designed to operate with both
the Radio Ampstik as well as the Radio Voltstik. Choose the mode for the Radio
Ampstik by pressing and releasing the button when the Ampstik mode is shown.
The Receiver Display will display “noSiG” until the Transmitter Sensor
communicates to it.
V
A
Ampstik
2 RUN Mode (Default Mode)
The reading continuously changes as the current changes
The unit is immediately in the RUN mode after powering on. To take measurements
with the Radio Ampstik in the RUN mode, place the conductor between the two
arms and observe the reading on the Receiver’s display. For maximum accuracy,
be sure that the conductor is below the notches on the arms. If the conductor
cannot be placed below the notches, readings can be taken but the accuracy may
be lessened.
Voltstik
3 To HOLD a Reading
Press and release the button when the desired reading is diplayed. The Receiver
will hold the reading in the display and store the reading in the Receiver's memory.
After three seconds, the receiver will return to the RUN mode. The Receiver can
hold up to four readings. All held readings will be stored in the Receiver's memory
until they are erased, or until the receiver is powered off.
4 To review a HELD Reading
Press and hold the control switch on the Receiver Display and scroll until HELD
appears on the display. The number of the reading that is being viewed will fl ash
in the upper left corner of the display. To scroll to the next reading, press and
release the control switch. Repeat this to scroll through all the readings.
1 3
2 4
1,999
HOLD
Page 4
Note: The display resolution changes on the following ranges:
0 - 99.9 Amps
XX.X
X,XXX
5 ERASE Mode - Clearing the stored measurements
You must fi rst go to the ERASE mode to clear the stored readings before taking
further readings. Press and hold the control switch on the Receiver Display, the
ERASE option will appear: release the control switch. After running the ERASE
mode, all of the data will be cleared, and the Display will be in the RUN mode.
The data will also clear when the OFF mode is selected. If the instrument has
four readings in its memory and another attempt is made to take a reading, the
display will show “FULL”.
6 Turning the instruments OFF
Receiver:
Press and hold the control switch on the Receiver Display and scroll to the OFF
option. Release the control switch.
Sensor Transmitter:
Press and hold the control switch until the LED goes to solid RED. Release the
control switch.
The Radio Ampstik Receiver Display will turn off automatically after
60 minutes of inactivity. The Radio Ampstik Transmitter will turn off
automatically after 20 minutes of inactivity.
.1Amp resolution
100 to 5000 Amps
1Amp resolution
Page 5
High Voltage Operation
This instrument is designed to operate in high voltage fi elds. How ev er, diffi culty may
be experienced when excessive corona to the instrument occurs. This may occur when
the line voltage is great er than 69 kV phase to phase. The unit may ex pe ri ence over
range and require power to be cycled or may lose a reading when in the sample and
hold mode.
Battery Replacement
The Radio Ampstik is powered by a two 9V batteries, one in each unit. When the
“LO BAT” indication shows on the Receiver Display, the batteries in both the Receiver
Display and the Transmitter Sensor should be re placed. They will continue to operate
for a few hours.
Transmitter Sensor: Remove the four screws on the battery cover at the rear of the
unit. Carefully insert a screwdriver blade in the notch and pry the cover out, being
careful not to damage the cover seal. Pull the bat tery out of the com part ment and
sep a rate the battery from the battery connector. To avoid breaking the battery leads
do not pull on the battery only. Install a fresh battery and reinsert the battery in its
com part ment. Reinstall the cover by gently press ing it into place while pulling out on
the edges of the com part ment, and reinstall the four cover screws. Take care to avoid
over tight en ing the screws. Always reuse the screws provided and do not damage or
lose the o-ring seal on each screw.
Receiver Display: *DO NOT unscrew the four screws on the corners of the front
panel.* Loosen the thumb screw, located on the front middle of the unit. Remove
the old battery. Snap the fresh battery to the connector and insert into the battery
slot. Replace the cover plate. Be sure the antenna fi ts into the hole in the rear of the
case. Tighten the thumb screw.
Cleaning
The Radio Ampstik can be cleaned by wiping with a small amount of alcohol on a
rag.
Page 6
SensorLink Corporation Warranty
SensorLink warrants each instrument it man u fac tures to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship under normal use and service for the period of one year after date
of shipment. Within this period, SensorLink agrees to repair or replace, at SensorLink’s
option, any instrument that fails to perform as specifi ed. This Warranty shall not apply
to any instrument that has been:
1 Repaired, worked on, or altered, including removal of the front panel, by persons
un au tho rized by SensorLink in such a manner as to injure, in SensorLink’s sole
judgment, the per for mance, sta bil i ty, or reliability of the instrument;
2 Sub ject ed to misuse, negligence, or accident; or
3 Connected, installed, adjusted, or used otherwise than in ac cor dance with the
instructions furnished by SensorLink.
This Warranty is in lieu of any other warranty, expressed or implied. SensorLink reserves
the right to make any changes in the design or construction of its in stru ments at any
time, without incurring any obligation to make any change what ev er in units previously
de liv ered.
SensorLink’s sole liabilities, and buyer’s sole remedies, under this agreement shall be
limited to a refund of the purchase price, or at SensorLink’s sole discretion, to the repair
or replacement of any in stru ment that proves, upon SensorLink’s examination, to be
de fec tive, when returned to the factory, transportation prepaid by the buy er, within
one year from the date of original shipment. SensorLink shall in no way be liable for
damages consequential or incidental to de fects in any instrument, for failure of delivery
in whole or in part, for injuries resulting from its use, or for any other cause.
If a failure occurs, contact the manufacturer for a Return Au tho ri za tion and
instructions for return shipment. This warranty con sti tutes the full understanding of
the man u fac tur er and buyer, and no terms, conditions, understanding, or agree ment
purporting to modify or vary the terms hereof shall be binding unless here af ter made
in writing and signed by an authorized offi cial of SensorLink.
Page 7
Quality Assurance Certifi cation
True RMS Radio Ammeter
Models 8-120 and 8-121
SensorLink certifi es that its calibration measurements are trace able to the National
Institute of Standards and Tech nol o gy (NIST), to the extent allowed by the Institute's
cal i bra tion fa cil i ty, and to the calibration facilities of other In ter na tion al Standards
Or ga ni za tion members.
This document certifi es the following True RMS Radio Ammeter was tested at the
SensorLink High Voltage Laboratory, Acme, WA, USA to the appropriate standard and
comply with the requirements of that standard.
Transmitter; Model 8-120; Serial Number _______________________________
Receiver; Model 8-121; Serial Number __________________________________
I hereby certify that the True RMS Radio Ammeter listed above has passed all tests
defi ned in the SensorLink standard . I also certify that I have reviewed the standard
and test procedure and that they are suffi cient in determining compliance with the
standard.
Signed_______________________________________________
Date_________________________________________________
07/05
DOPM-812-001
Manual Revision V21
SensorLink® Corporation
1975 Valley Hwy 9, P.O.Box 301
Acme, WA 98220 USA
phone: 360/595.1000
fax: 360/595.1001
www.sensorlink.com
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