SensorLink True RMS Ampstik 8-020, True RMS Ampstik XT 8-022, True RMS Ampstik 8-024 Operator's Manual

Operators Manual

True RMS Ampstik

Slip-on Ammeters

®

SensorLink



Operators Manual
True RMS Ampstik

Slip-on Ammeters

Available Stock Codes:

8-020 XT 50HZ 8-020 XT 60HZ 8-020 XT EURO 8-020 XT FRG

8-022-50HZ 8-022-60HZ 8-022-EURO

8-024-50HZ 8-024-60HZ 8-024-EURO

Table of Contents Page

Specifi cations 2

Safety Warnings 3

Operating Instructions 4-5

Startup Test 4

RUN & HOLD Mode 4

®

Viewing the Measurement 5

Power Off 5

Automatic Backlight 6

Battery Replacement 7

Cleaning 7

High Voltage Operation 7

Troubleshooting 8

Warranty 10

Quality Assurance Back Cover

Overview

The True RMS 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 in stru ment can be used re mote ly with any hot stick 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 molded housing is water resistant and will withstand high physical
impact. The following specifi cations apply:

SPECIFICATIONS

Model Number 8-020 XT 8-022 8-024

Range of Operation

Voltage Phase to Phase 0-500kV 0-69kV 0-400kV

Current 1-5000A 1-2000A 1-2000A

Sensor Opening Standard Wide Jaw Wide Jaw

Opening Width 2.5 in

6.35 cm

Type of Reading Single Single Single

Resolution

Amps 1-99.9A 0.1A 0.1A 0.1A

Amps 100-1999A 1A 1A 1A

Amps 2000-5000 0.01kA N/A N/A

Weight 2.15 lbs,

0.97 kg

Accuracy ± 1%, ± 2 Counts

Frequency Actual frequency indicated on unit

50 Hz Calibrated 47 to 53 Hz

60 Hz Calibrated 57 to 63 Hz

Mechanical

Operating Temperature -22° to +140° F, -30° to +60° C

Lithium battery required for temperatures below -4° F (-20° C)

Display 3.5 Digit display

Backlight Automatic ambient light sensor

Housing Shock & water resistant molded urethane

Hotstick Mounting Universal chuck adapter (hotstick not included)

Battery 9V Alkaline or Lithium

EEC Standards Successfully passed international tests indicated by CE

3.86 in

9.8 cm

3.8 lbs,

1.76 kg

3.86 in

9.8 cm

3.8 lbs,

1.76 kg

Page 2

Safety Information

• The True RMS 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 Ampstik should
be considered to be at the same potential.

• Putting the face plate, battery cover, chuck, or other parts of the Ampstik within
the air gap of adjacent phases or ground could cause a phase to phase or phase
to ground fault.

WARNING! Do not force the arms of the Ampstik Plus

Page 3

Operating Instructions

The True RMS Ampstik Plus is controlled by a single push button switch located on the
front panel. Operation is as follows:

POWER ON - Press and release the control switch to turn on the instrument.

Startup Test

The Ampstik conducts a startup test to verify the sensors and circuitry is
functioning correctly. The following screens will display during the test:

- - -

If the test detects a failure, the display will show FAIL and a corresponding
code. See page eight for the failure code chart.

1

FAIL

If the test determines the unit is functioning properly, it will move to normal
mode and is ready to take the fi rst measurement. The display will show:

0.0

RUN Option - The reading continuously changes as the current changes.
The unit is immediately in the RUN mode after powering on. To place the instrument

into the RUN mode from a different mode, press and hold the control switch and
scroll to the option RUN, then release the control switch to engage the option.

To take measurements with the True RMS Ampstik Plus in the RUN mode, place

the conductor between the two arms and observe the 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.

HOLD Option - Stores a Single Reading

Press and hold the control switch to scroll to the HLD option, and release the
control switch to engage the option.

The True RMS Ampstik Plus is now in the sample and hold mode, indicated by
the word “HOLD” ap pear ing on the display. As shown below, nothing else will
display until a measurement is held:

HOLD

Page 4

Operating Instructions, continued

Note: The display resolution changes on the following ranges:

XX.X

XXXX

X.XX

CLEARING THE DISPLAY - Clearing the stored measurements

The True RMS Ampstik is now returned to the RUN Mode. Push and release

the switch to switch between RUN and HOLD Modes.

POWER OFF - Turning the instrument OFF

Press and hold the control switch to scroll to the OFF option. Release the

control switch. The True RMS Ampstik will turn itself off automatically after
several minutes of inactivity.

0-99.9Amps

0.1Amp resolution

100 to 1999 Amps
1Amp resolution

2000 to 5000 Amps

2.00 kAmps
10 Amp resolution (2 decimal places
indicates kAmp range)

Page 5

Automatic Backlight

The Backlight on the Ampstik is designed to automatically power on when the ambient
light is low. This helps users view the display in low-light situations. The light sensor
is located on the front of the unit. It's location is indicated with the light icon on the
front panel next to the switch. The backlight will continue to power on automatically
until the user manually changes the settings.

POWER OFF BACKLIGHT - Manually power off the backlight

Press the control switch until the following screen appears:

After releasing the switch, the display will momentarily show:

The backlight will stay off until the user manually powers it back on.

POWER ON BACKLIGHT - Manually power on the backlight

Press the control switch until the following screen appears:

After releasing the switch, the display will momentarily show:

The backlight will now automatically power on when light is diminished or until

the user manually powers it back off.

The user may see some fl icker with the backlight if the backlight is on when under

artifi cial lighting. This is normal.

Page 6

Battery Replacement

When the “LO BAT” indication shows on the display, the battery should be re placed.
The unit will continue to operate for a few hours. The Ampstik is powered by a single
9V battery. To re place the battery, 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.

Cleaning

The Ampstik can be cleaned by wiping with a small amount of alcohol on a rag.

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. 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.

Page 7

Troubleshooting the Ampstik

Unit will not power on

Verify there is a fresh 9V battery in the unit.
Verifty the battery connectors have not been disconnected from the molded

housing.

Backlight Flicker

Due to the refresh rate of the light, some users may see fl icker if the backlight is on

when under artifi cial lighting. This is normal.

Fail Codes

FAIL CODE "1": Break to the main current sensor
FAIL CODE "2": Break to a current sensor component
FAIL CODE "3": Circuit failure
FAIL CODE "4": Circuit failure

The above fail codes may also trigger due to dirty pin connections causing errors in

readings between the main board and molded housing assembly.

The unit will not enter into measurement mode if the self-test has any of the above

failures. The unit will need to be returned to SensorLink for repair evaluation.

Repair

SensorLink Service Department

Please contact SensorLink directly for the return process of product for evaluation,

repair, calibration, and verifi cation. Contact details:

SensorLink Corporation
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Page 8

Page 9

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.

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 10

Quality Assurance Certifi cation

True RMS Ammeter Models

8-020 XT, 8-022, 8-023, 8-024

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 Ammeter was tested at the SensorLink
High Voltage Laboratory, Ferndale, WA, USA to the appropriate standard and comply
with the requirements of that standard.

Serial Numbers_____________________________________________________

Model Numbers_____________________________________________________

I hereby certify that the True RMS 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_________________________________________________

Form No: SALE-Manual Template AMPSTIK-006 REV: V01
Date: 11/19/2013
Manual Stock Code No: M050-010-001

SensorLink Corporation

1360 Stonegate Way
Ferndale, WA 98248 USA

phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
www.sensorlink.com