TPI 275 User Manual

275

Digital Clamp-on
Meter Instruction Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Congratulations ..........................3

2. Product Description....................3

3. Declaration of Conformity ..........4

B. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ..............5

C. TECHNICAL DATA

1. Features and Benefits..................6

2. Product Applications ..................7

3. Specifications..............................8

D. MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

1. Controls and Functions ............12

2. Step by Step Procedures: ........14

E. OTHER FEATURES ..........................24

F. APPLICATION NOTES ......................29

G. TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE ..........34

H. MAINTENANCE ................................35

I. ACCESSORIES ................................36

2

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Congratulations!!

Thank you for purchasing TPI products. The 275 is easy
to use and is built to last. It is backed by a 3 year limit­ed warranty. Please remember to complete and return

your product warranty registration card.

2. Product Description

The slim design 275 is a hand-held, autoranging
clamp-on DMM. Extra large numerals, DC amps,
min/max, capacitance, DC microamps and duty cycle are
just a few of the features of the 275. An affordable
choice, the 275 offers measurements in all basic electri­cal functions with additional advanced features like non­contact voltage.

The 275 comes complete with the following accessories:

Carrying Pouch
Test Lead Set
Temperature Probe
Instruction Manual
Battery & Fuse

3

3. EC Declaration of Conformity

This is to certify that TPI Model 275 conforms to the
protection requirements of the council directive
89/336/EEC, in the approximation of laws of the member
states relating to Electromagnetic compatibility and
73/23/EEC. The Low Voltage Directive by application of
the following standards:

EN 50081-1 1992 Emissions Standard
EN 50082-1 1992 Immunity Standard
EN 61010-1 1993 Safety Standard
EN 61010-2-031 1995 Safety Standard
EN 61010-2-032 1995 Safety Standard

To ensure conformity with these standard, this instru­ment must be operated in accordance with the instruc­tions and specifications given in this manual.

CAUTION: Even though this instrument complies with
the immunity standards, it’s accuracy can be affected
by strong radio emissions not covered in the above
standards. Sources such as hand-held radio trans­ceivers, radio and TV transmitters, vehicle radios and
cellular phones generate electromagnetic radiation
that could be induced into the test leads of this instru­ment. Care should be taken to avoid such situations or
alternatively, check to make sure that the instrument is
not being influence by these emissions.

CAUTION: Please follow manufacturers test proce­dures whenever possible. Do not attempt to measure
unknown voltages or components until a complete
understanding of the circuit is obtained.

4 5

B. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

WARNING: Please follow manufacturers test
procedures whenever possible. Do not attempt to
measure unknown voltages or components until a
complete understanding of the circuit is obtained.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

ALWAYS

• Test the 275 before using it to make sure it is
operating properly.

• Inspect the test leads before using to make sure there
are no breaks or shorts.

• Double check all connections before testing.

• Have someone check on you periodically if
working alone.

• Have a complete understanding of the circuit
being measured.

• Disconnect power to circuit, then connect test leads to
the 275, then to circuit being measured.

NEVER

• Attempt to measure unknown high voltages.

• Attempt to measure DC microamps with the meter in
parallel to the circuit.

• Connect the test leads to a live circuit before
setting up the instrument.

• Touch any exposed metal part of the test lead assembly.

INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS

CAUTION: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

AC (Alternation Current)

DC (Direct Current)

REFER TO INSTRUCTION MANUAL

GROUND

DOUBLE INSULATION

EITHER DC OR AC

C. TECHNICAL DATA

1. Features and Benefits

Agency Meets CE and IEC 1010.
Analog Bar Displays rapidly changing input
Graph signals.
NCV Non-contact voltage detection. Detect

the presence of voltage without con­tacting the circuit.

P-H Captures min / max peak.
MAX/MIN Records Min/Max readings for all

functions and ranges.

REL Measurements made are displayed

relative to a stored value.

Auto Off Automatically powers off after 30

minutes of inactivity.

6 7

2. Product Applications

Perform the following tests and/or measurements with
the 275 and the appropriate function:

HV

AC/R
DCmV • Thermocouples in furnaces.
ACA • Heat anticipator current in thermostats.
ACV • Line voltage.
ACV or DCV • Control circuit voltage.
DCµµA • Flame safegaurd control current.
OHMS • Compressor winding resistance.
OHMS • Continuity of wiring.
CAP • Motor start and run capacitors.
ACA • Motor and compressor start up current.
Hz • Frequency on controls and line voltage.
TEMP • Air duct temperatures.
ALL • Bar graph to indicate rapid fluctuations.

ELECTRICAL
ACV • Measure line voltage.
ACA • Measure line current.
OHMS • Continuity of circuit breakers.
DCV • Voltage of direct drive DC motors.
ACA • Start up current of motors, relays,

contactors and transformers.

ELECTRONIC
ACV • Measure power supply voltage.
ACA • Measure power supply current.
OHMS • Continuity of circuit breakers and fuses.

3. Specifications

IEC 1010 Over Voltage:

CAT II - 1000V

CAT III - 600V

Pollution Degree 2

Temperature for gauranteed accuracy: 23ºC +

UL 3111 Pending

5ºC

DC VOLTS

Range Res. Accuracy

110mV 0.1mV

1V 0.001V +/-(0.5% of reading + 2 digits) 10MΩ

11V 0.01V Overload Protection:

110V 0.1V 600VDC or AC RMS

600V 1V

AC VOLTS

Range Res. Accuracy

110mV 0.1mV

1V 0.001V

11V 0.01V

110V 0.1V

600V 1V

(45Hz to 100Hz Frequency Response 400mV Range)

(45Hz to 450Hz Frequency Response All Other Ranges)

+/-(1.2% of reading + 5 digits) Impedance:

+/-(1.2% of reading + 3 digits) 10MΩ

+/-(1.5% of reading + 3 digits) 600VDC or AC RMS

(45Hz to 100Hz Frequency Response 200A to 400A)

Impedance:

Overload Protection:

AC AMPS (45Hz to 450Hz Frequency Response Below 200A)

Range Res. Accuracy

110A 0.01A
400A 0.1A e

+/-(3.0% of reading + 5 digits)

8

DC Microamps

Range Res. Accuracy

110uA 0.01µA
1100uA 0.1µA 0.5A / 600V Fusee

* DC microamps are measured with the test leads in series with

the circuit under test.

+/-(0.8% of reading + 2 digits) Overload Protection:

DC AMPS

Range Res. Accuracy

110A 0.01A
400A 0.1A e

+/-(3% of reading + 10 digits)

OHM (Resistance, Ω)

Range Res. Accuracy

110Ω 0.01Ω ±(1% of reading +5 digits)
1kΩ 0.0001kΩ ±(1% of reading +2 digits)
11kΩ 0.001kΩ 250VDC or AC RMS
110kΩ 0.01kΩ
1MΩ 0.0001MΩ ±(3% of reading +5 digits)
11MΩ 0.001MΩ ±(3% of reading +10 digits)

110MΩ 0.1MΩ ±(3% of reading +10 digits)

Overload Protection:

Frequency (Hz)

Range Res. Accuracy

1100.0Hz 0.1Hz

11.000kHz 0.001kHz

110.00MHz 0.01kHz

1.1000MHz 0.0001MHz 250VDC or AC RMS

11.000MHz 0.001MHz

110.00MHz 0.01MHz

Warning: Use only correct type and overvoltage

±(1% of reading +2 digits)

Overload Protection:

category rated test leads. Remove the
temperature probe when using the test
leads or amp clamp.

9

Diode Test

Test Current Over Load Protection

1.5mA MAX 250 V DC or AC RMS

Continuity Buzzer

Test Voltage Threshold Over Load Protection

3V <35Ω 250 V DC or AC RMS

Non-Contact Voltage (NCV)

Detection Range: 24VAC and above

Temperature (K-Type thermocouple)

Range Res. Accuracy

-30ºF to 1000ºF 1ºF +

(2ºF) 32.0ºF to 120ºF
+ (1%+2ºF) -3ºF to 749ºF
+

(2%+1.5ºF) 750ºF to 1000ºF

+ (2%+4ºF) -40ºF to -4ºF

Overload Protection: 60VDC or 30VAC RMS

**Celsius version of the 275 is available

10

Warning: Use only correct type and overvoltage

category rated test leads. Remove the
temperature probe when using the test
leads or amp clamp.

11

Capacitance

Range Res. Accuracy

11nF 0.001nF

±(3% of reading +5 digits)

110nF 0.01nF

1.1uF 0.0001uF Overload Protection:
11µF 0.001µF 500VDC or AC RMS
110µF 0.01µF

1.1mF 0.0001mF
11mF 0.001mF
110mF 0.01mF

±(7% of reading +5 digits)

nF= nanofarad, µF= microfarad, mF= millifarad

General

Max Voltage between any 600V
input and ground
Fuse Protection (µµA range) 0.5A/600V
Display Type 4000 Count 41 seg. bargraph
Operating Temperature 32ºF to 104ºF (0ºC to 40ºC)
Storage Temperature 14ºF to 122ºF (-10ºC to 50ºC)
Relative Humidity 80% non-condensing
Power Supply 9V (MN1604)
Battery Life 80 hrs. typical
Size (H x L x W) 32.5mm x 255mm x 65mm

(1.3in x 10in x 2.5in)

Weight 363g (0.8lbs)

Warning: Use only correct type and overvoltage

category rated test leads. Remove the
temperature probe when using the test
leads or amp clamp.

12

D. MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

1. Controls and Functions:

Push Buttons

REL Activates Relative mode. Press

and hold for 2 seconds to deacti­vate.

D-H Holds the reading on the display

until the button is pushed a
second time.

R-H Activates manual ranging. Press

and hold for 2 seconds to return
to auto ranging.

MAX MIN Activates record mode. Press to

cycle between maximum and min­imum recorded reading. Press and
hold for 2 seconds to return to
normal mode.

P-H Activates peak hold mode. Used to

capture in-rush current.

NCV Activates the non-contact voltage

detection feature. Press and hold
while holding the jaw close to
electrical wires.