ANENG ST180 Digital Clamp Meter Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

This Mini-sized digital clamp multimeter has been designed according to IEC61010 standards for electronic measuring instruments, featuring an over-voltage category (CAT II 600V) and Pollution degree 2. This instrument performs AC/DC voltage, DC/AC Current, Resistance, Audible Continuity, Diode, and Non-Contact ACV Detect (NCV) measurements, as well as Capacitance and Frequency (Hz) measurements. It is an auto-ranging Digital Multimeter (DMM) with AC/DC current clamp meter functionality.

The ANENG ST180 digital clamp meter provides accurate measurement of AC current, voltage, capacitance, and NCV, making it a reliable tool for electrical work. This multimeter ammeter is suitable for use in cars, homes, and industrial settings, making it a versatile tool for all your electrical needs. With its simple design and easy-to-read display, the ANENG ST180 is user-friendly and perfect for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Made with high-quality materials, this clamp meter is built to last and can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

Figure 1: ANENG ST180 High Precision Clamp Multimeter. Intelligent auto-ranging clamp-on multimeter, which can measure current without breaking the wire.

Figure 2: The ANENG ST180 Digital Clamp Meter with included test leads.

2. Safety Information

To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, please follow these guidelines:

• Do not use the meter if it is damaged. Before use, inspect the case, paying particular attention to the insulation surrounding the connectors.
• Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal. Check the test leads for continuity. Replace damaged test leads before using the meter.
• Do not use the meter if it operates abnormally. Protection may be impaired. When in doubt, have the meter serviced.
• Do not operate the meter around explosive gas, vapor, or dust.
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on the meter, between terminals or between any terminal and earth ground.
• Before use, verify the meter's operation by measuring a known voltage.
• When measuring current, turn off circuit power before connecting the meter in the circuit.
• When servicing the meter, use only specified replacement parts.
• Use with caution when working above 30V AC RMS, 42V peak, or 60V DC. Such voltages pose a shock hazard.
• When using the probes, keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the probes.
• Connect the common test lead before you connect the live test lead. When disconnecting test leads, disconnect the live test lead first.
• Remove the test leads from the meter before opening the battery door.
• Do not operate the meter with the battery door or portions of the cover removed or loosened.
• To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock or personal injury, replace the batteries as soon as the low battery indicator ("") appears.
• CAT II - Measurement Category II is for measurements performed on circuits directly connected to low voltage installations (e.g., household appliances, portable tools). Do not use the meter for measurements within Measurement Categories III or IV.

3. Product Components and Controls

Figure 3: Detailed diagram of the ANENG ST180 clamp meter showing its components.

Panel Description:

1. Transformer Jaw: Used for non-contact AC current measurement.
2. Clamp Trigger: Opens the transformer jaw.
3. LCD Backlight and Value Hold Buttons: Short press for data hold, long press for backlight.
4. LCD Display: Shows measurement readings and indicators.
5. COM Input Terminal: Common (negative) input for test leads.
6. NCV LED Indication: Lights up during Non-Contact AC Voltage detection.
7. Manual Range Switching (REL): Briefly press for manual range selection; press and hold to deactivate.
8. Function Rotated Switch: Selects the desired measurement function.
9. Function Select Button (SEL): Used to switch between sub-functions (e.g., AC/DC voltage, continuity/diode).
10. V, Ω, Hz Input Terminal: Positive input for voltage, resistance, and frequency measurements.

4. Specifications

General Characteristics:

• Display: 4000 Counts, updates 2/sec.
• Polarity Indication: "-" displayed automatically.
• Over-range Indication: "OL" displayed.
• Low Battery Indication: "" displayed.
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C, less than 75%RH.
• Storage Temperature: -10°C to 50°C, less than 80%RH.
• Battery Type: AAA size 1.5V x 2PCS (Not included).
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 139.8 x 10.4 x 38mm (from JSON) / 183 x 65 x 32mm with Jaw Open (from OCR).
• Weight: Approx 124g (from JSON) / 133g (from OCR).
• DIY Supplies: Electrical.
• Certification: CE.

Measurement Ranges and Accuracy:

5. Setup

5.1. Package Contents

Figure 4: Product accessories including the clamp meter, test leads, and user manual.

The package typically includes:

• 1 x ANENG ST180 Clamp Meter
• 2 x Test Probes (Test Leads)
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Outer Packing Box (depending on choice)

5.2. Battery Installation

The ANENG ST180 requires 2x AAA 1.5V batteries (not included). If the low battery indicator ("") appears on the display, it indicates the batteries should be replaced. To replace the batteries:

1. Ensure the meter is turned OFF and disconnect all test leads.
2. Remove the screws on the back case.
3. Open the back case.
4. Replace the exhausted batteries with new AAA 1.5V batteries, ensuring correct polarity.
5. Close the back case and secure it with the screws.

6. Operating Instructions

6.1. General Button Functions

• HOLD / Backlight Button (H/*):
      1. Briefly press this button to hold the current reading on the LCD. The "H" symbol will appear. Press again to release. Data holding is automatically cancelled when the function switch is rotated.
      2. Press and hold this button for about 2 seconds to activate the LCD backlight. The backlight will remain on for approximately 15 seconds before automatically turning off.
• Manual Range Selection (REL):
      1. Briefly press this key for manual range selection.
      2. Press and hold for about 2 seconds to deactivate manual range selection.
• Function Select Button (SET):
      1. This key is used to switch between different sub-functions within a mode (e.g., AC and DC voltage switching).

6.2. AC/DC Voltage Measurement

1. Connect the BLACK test lead to the COM jack and the RED test lead to the V/Ω jack.
2. Set the function switch to the ACV or DCV position.
3. Connect the test leads across the source or load under measurement.
4. Read the value on the LCD display. The polarity of the RED test lead will be indicated when making a DC measurement.

Figure 5: AC Voltage Measurement using test leads.

Figure 6: DC Voltage Measurement, typically used for batteries.

6.3. Resistance Measurement

1. Connect the BLACK test lead to the COM jack and the RED test lead to the V/Ω jack. (Note: The RED lead is positive "+" and the BLACK is negative "-").
2. Set the function switch to the resistance position (Ω symbol). Push the "SEL" button to select Ω Mode if necessary.
3. Connect test leads across the resistance under measurement.
4. Read the test readings on the LCD.

NOTE:

• For resistance above 2 MΩ or 4 MΩ, the meter may take a few seconds to stabilize the reading. This is normal for high resistance measurements.
• When the input is not connected (open circuit), "OL" will be displayed.
• When checking in-circuit resistance, ensure the circuit under test has all power removed and all capacitors are fully discharged.

Figure 7: Resistance Measurement. Example shows a 200Ω resistor.

6.4. AC Current Measurement

1. Set the Function/Range Switch to the AC current range (A~ symbol).
2. Press the trigger to open the transformer jaws.
3. Clamp only one conductor. It is impossible to make accurate measurements when two or three conductors are clamped at the same time.
4. The display reading will show the conductor's AC current.

Figure 8: AC Current Measurement. No need to break the wire; simply clamp around a single conductor.

Figure 9: Important note for AC Current Measurement. Only measure the zero line or fire line, and only a single core line. The common electrical appliances in the home power supply line are not measured because it contains multiple core wires.

6.5. Audible Continuity / Diode Test

1. Connect the BLACK test lead to the COM jack and the RED test lead to the V/Ω jack.
2. Set the function switch to the + position and push the "SEL" button to select continuity or diode test mode. The corresponding symbol will be shown on the LCD.
3. For Continuity Test: If the circuit resistance under test is lower than 50Ω, the built-in buzzer will sound.
4. For Diode Test: Connect the RED and BLACK test leads to the anode and cathode of the diode under test separately. The forward voltage drop of the diode will be displayed.

Figure 10: On-Off Buzzer Detection. Place test lead tips on both ends of the line. A beep indicates a normal line.

Figure 11: Diode Measurement. Distinguish positive and negative poles of the diode.

6.6. Frequency Test

1. Connect the BLACK test lead to the COM jack and the RED test lead to the V/Hz jack.
2. Set the range selector to the "Hz" position.
3. Connect the test leads across the circuit under measurement.
4. Read the frequency from the LCD.

NOTE:

• When testing high frequencies (> 1MHz), the input voltage must be less than 10V for accurate values.

Figure 12: Hertz Measurement. Measure the frequency value of the AC voltage of a socket.

6.7. Capacitance Measurement

1. Connect the BLACK test lead to the COM jack and the RED test lead to the V/Ω jack. (Note: The polarity of the RED test lead is "+").
2. Set the range selector to the capacitance position (symbol).
3. Connect the test leads across the capacitor under measurement. Disconnect the capacitor from any outer power source.
4. Check if the "F" mark is shown on the LCD. If not, push the "SET" button one or more times until it appears.
5. Read the value from the LCD.

NOTE:

• When testing large capacitors, it is normal for the meter to take more time to stabilize the reading.
• Always ensure all capacitors are completely discharged before measurement to prevent damage to the meter or personal injury.

Figure 13: Capacitance Measurement. Example shows a 10µF capacitor.

6.8. Non-Contact AC Voltage Detection (NCV)

1. Set the function range switch to the NCV position. The NCV indicating LED light will flash.
2. Bring the clamp jaw close to the AC signal source.
3. The NCV indicating LED will flash constantly, and the beeper will sound when AC voltage is detected (typically > 100V).

NOTE:

• Do not attempt to physically contact the testing place with this tester.
• No numerical display will appear on the LCD in this range; indication is visual (LED) and audible (beeper).

Figure 14: NCV Induction Detection. The closer the meter is to an AC source, the faster the alarm sounds.

Figure 15: Live Detection. When testing a firewire, the screen displays "----", emits a beep, and the LED flashes red. When testing a neutral line, the screen displays "EF" with no beep.

6.9. Flashlight Lighting

The meter includes a flashlight function to assist in dark environments.

• Long press the 'H/*' button to activate the flashlight.
• This feature helps eliminate the risk of electric shock by providing illumination in poorly lit areas.

Figure 16: Flashlight Lighting. Useful for working in dark environments.

7. Maintenance

7.1. General Care

• Keep the meter clean and dry. Wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives or solvents.
• Store the meter in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

7.2. Battery Replacement

Refer to section 5.2 for detailed instructions on battery replacement.

8. Troubleshooting

If the meter does not function as expected, consider the following:

• No Display or Faint Display: Check the battery level. If the low battery indicator is on, replace the batteries as described in Section 5.2.
• Incorrect Readings: Ensure test leads are correctly connected to the appropriate jacks. Verify the function dial is set to the correct measurement mode and range. For AC current, ensure only a single core wire is clamped.
• "OL" Display: This indicates an over-range condition or an open circuit. Check your connections and ensure the measured value is within the meter's range.
• Abnormal Operation: If the meter operates abnormally, discontinue use immediately. Refer to the 'Safety Information' section for warnings regarding abnormal operation and consider having the meter serviced.

9. User Tips

• The ANENG ST180 is built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability for long-term use.
• Its analog and digital display makes readings clear and easy to interpret, suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
• When measuring large capacitance values, allow extra time for the meter to stabilize and provide an accurate reading.
• For high-frequency measurements (above 1MHz), ensure the input voltage is kept below 10V to maintain measurement accuracy.

10. Warranty and Support

The accuracy of this device is guaranteed for 1 year under conditions of 23°C ± 5°C and less than 75% relative humidity.

For detailed warranty information, troubleshooting guides, and further technical support, please refer to the official user manual available as a PDF document:

View User Manual (PDF)