Please read before using this equipment.
ˆ Contents Features ........................................................................................................... 3 A Word About Safety .................................................................................. 4 Special Panel Markings .................................................................................. 5 Specifications .................................................................................................. Ranges ................................................
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, compact multimeter 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.
A WORD ABOUT SAFETY cover is in place and fully closed with the screw fully tightened. 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.
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 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 ........................
ˆ A Quick Look at Your Multimeter OHM S Ω OHMS ADJUST (left side of multimeter) AC AMMETER MULTIMETER A Quick Look at Your Multimeter 7
ˆ Preparation INSTALLING A BATTERY Top Cover Your multimeter requires one AAA battery (not supplied) for power. For the best performance and longest life, we recommend a RadioShack alkaline battery. Warnings: • To avoid electrical shock, disconnect both of the multimeter’s test leads from any equipment before you install or remove the multimeter’s battery. • Do not operate your multimeter until the battery is properly installed and the back cover is in place and secured. 3.
4. Place the battery in the compartment as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside. 5. Replace the back cover and the top cover, then secure them with the screws. When you cannot adjust the needle to point to 0 on the scale when you measure resistance (see “Measuring Resistance” on Page 16) or the multimeter stops operating properly, replace the battery. Warning: Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn or bury them.
3. Use the screw to secure the ammeter to the multimeter, then put the top cover you removed in Step 1 in a safe place. OHM S ZERO ADJUSTMENT If the needle does not normally rest exactly over 0 on the left side of the ACVA/DCVA scale, use a flat screwdriver to adjust the plastic screw on the center of the multimeter’s face to set the needle to 0. ˆ Using the Multimeter WARNING: DO NOT TRY TO MEASURE ANY VOLTAGE GREATER THAN 500 VOLTS DC/500 VOLTS RMS AC.
MEASURING DC/AC VOLTAGE WARNINGS: • NEVER CLAMP A TEST LEAD TO A HOT WIRE (USUALLY RED, BLACK, OR BLUE IN AC WIRING CIRCUITS). IF ONE LEAD IS CLAMPED TO A HOT WIRE AND YOU TOUCH THE MULTIMETER’S OTHER PROBE, YOU COULD RECEIVE AN ELECTRIC SHOCK. • THE MAXIMUM INPUT LIMIT FOR VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT IS 500V DC OR 500V AC (RMS). TO AVOID ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND DAMAGE TO THE MULTIMETER, NEVER TRY TO MEASURE DC VOLTAGE ABOVE 500 VOLTS OR AC VOLTAGE ABOVE 500 VOLTS RMS.
to 2, the AC or DC voltage is 100 volts (2 × 50 = 100V). YOU DO NOT USE THIS MULTIMETER FOR SUCH APPLICATIONS. • If the function selector is set to 15 DCV, read the lower line of ACVA/DCVA on the multimeter then multiply the reading you see by 5. For example, if the needle points to 2, the DC voltage is 10 volts (2 × 5 = 10V). We designed this multimeter primarily to measure household AC voltages.
Measuring AC Voltage Riding on a DC Source Bias 2. Disconnect the test leads from the circuit. To measure AC voltage superimposed on a DC voltage source bias while ignoring the DC voltage, you must first measure the AC and DC voltages separately, then compute the peak voltage using this formula: 3. Remove power from the circuit under test and discharge all capacitors. Peak voltage = DC voltage + AC voltage/0.
1. Set the function selector to 150 mA DC mA. 2. Remove power from the circuit under test and discharge all capacitors. 3. Break the electrical path for the circuit in which you want to measure current. Then connect the – (common) test lead to the negative side and the positive (+) test lead to the positive side of the circuit. OH MS 4. Apply power to the circuit. 5. Read the lower line of ACVA/ DCVA on the multimeter, then multiply that reading by 50 to compute the current.
4. Hold down the trigger lever on the ammeter. The ammeter’s jaws open. Then insert the wire you are measuring inside the probe's jaws and release the trigger lever. 6. To help ensure an accurate reading, move the probe so the wire is in the center of the open area inside the jaws. 7. Read the lower line of ACVA/ DCVA on the multimeter. • If T/3A/15A/30A on the ammeter is set to 3A, the AC current is the reading you see. For example, if the needle points to 2, the AC current is 2 amps.
MEASURING WATTAGE You can use the multimeter and ammeter to tell how many watts of power an appliance uses. This helps you determine what the electricity costs are for that appliance. The following formula can help you make the necessary conversion.
Hint: If you are identifying cathode and anode ends or the type of transistor (PNP or NPN), the actual polarity of the multimeter's voltage is the opposite of the polarity suggested by the test probes' color. The red test probe is the negative source, and the black test probe is the positive source. • If the function selector is set to R×1KΩ, multiply that reading by 1000 to compute the resistance. For example, if the needle points to 1, the resistance is 1000 ohms (1 × 1000 = 1000Ω).
REPLACING THE FUSE 6. If the fuse is blown, discard it and save the ribbon (to use with the next spare fuse you store in the compartment). Then remove the spare fuse and the ribbon holding it from the upper back of the multimeter and insert it into the fuse holder. If the multimeter does not work, you might need to replace the fuse with the supplied 315 mA, 250V ceramic fuse. The spare fuse is next to the battery compartment. Caution: Do not use a fuse with ratings other than those specified here.
ˆ Notes Notes 19
Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
