TPI Amp Plus Instruction Manual

Func. Range Res.

DCV 40V 0.01V

400V 0.1V
600V 1V

ACV 40V 0.01V

400V 0.1V
600V 1V

ACA 40A 0.01A

400A 0.1A
700A 1A

DCA 40A 0.01A

400A 0.1A
700A 1A

OHM 400Ω 0.1Ω

4kΩ 0.001kΩ
40kΩ 0.01kΩ

Frequency

1KHz 0.1Hz
10KHz 0.001KHz

Continuity Test Voltage Threshold

3V < 100Ω (100 digits)

Diode Test Test Voltage Max Test Current

3V Approx. 2.5mA

296 SPECIFICATIONS ±0.75% Basic DCV Accuracy

Test Products International, Inc.

296

Digital Clamp-on
Meter Amp Plus

Instruction Manual

Test Products International, Inc.

9615 SW Allen Blvd., Ste. 104
Beaverton, OR USA 97005
503-520-9197 • Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

Test Products International plc

2 Newcourt Business Park
Perry Road
Harlow, Essex CM18 7PR
England
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

L296M • 12/1/97
copyright © 1997 Test Products International, Inc.

WARRANTY

Please refer to product warranty card for
warranty statement.

2

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 ........ 7

2. Product Applications ........ 8

3. Specifications .............. 9

D. MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

1. Controls and Functions ...... 13

2. Step by Step Procedures: .... 16

E. ACCESSORIES ................ 30

F. MAINTENANCE ................ 31

G. TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE .... 32

32

G. TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

Problem Probable Causes

Does not power up

• Dead or defective battery

• Broken wire from battery
snap to PCB

Won’t display current readings

• Open fuse

• Open test lead

• Improperly connected to
circuit under test

All functions except ohms read high

•Very weak battery that will
not turn on the low battery

indicator on the LCD

AC Volts do not read

•Very weak battery that will
not turn on the low battery

indicator on the LCD

3

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Congratulations!!

Thank you for purchasing TPI products. The
Amp Plus 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 296 is a clamp-on plus DMM with True RMS and
Harmonics capabilities. The 296 offers measurements in
all basic electrical functions, plus:

• True RMS Provides accurate and dependable

readings of non-linear loads.

• HDR Mode Determines if a signal is clean or

distorted.

• Bar Graph When measuring frequency, bar

graph indicates current level.

• TRIM Mode Smooths out unstable readings.

• Peak Mode For start-up and inrush currents.

• Sleep Mode Preserves battery life.

• Data Hold Holds the reading on the display for

easy viewing.

The 296 comes complete with the following accessories:

Carrying Pouch Instruction Manual
Test Lead Set Battery

31

F. MAINTENANCE

1. Battery Replacement: The 296 will display a bat-

tery symbol when the internal 9 Volt battery needs
replacement. The battery is replaced as follows:

a. Disconnect and remove all test leads

from live circuits and from the 296.

b. Loosen the screw from the back of the

296 battery cover.
c. Remove the battery compartment cover.
d. Remove old battery and replace with new battery,

observing the correct polarity.
e. Reassemble the instrument in reverse

order from above.

2. Cleaning your 296:

Use a mild detergent and slightly damp cloth to

clean the surfaces of the 296.

4

3. EC Declaration of Conformity

This is to certify that TPI Model 296 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.

30

E. ACCESSORIES*

Standard Accessories Part No.

9 Volt Alkaline Battery A009A
Test Lead Set A040
Soft Carrying Pouch A200

Optional Accessories Part No.

Deluxe Test Lead Set SDK1C
IEC 1010 Deluxe Test Lead Kit TLS2000BC
Hard Carrying Case A201

*These accessories are not approved from UL.

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 296 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 296, then to circuit being measured.

NEVER

• Attempt to measure unknown high voltages.

• Attempt to measure current 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.

!