PeakTech 3131eff Digital AC/DC Clamp Meter

1. Safety Precautions

This product complies with the requirements of the following European Community Directives: 2004/108/EC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and 2006/95/EC (Low Voltage), as amended by 2004/22/EC (CE-Marking). Overvoltage category II 600V; pollution degree 2.

Overvoltage Categories:

• CAT I: For signal level, telecommunication, electronic with small transient over voltage
• CAT II: For local level, appliances, main wall outlets, portable equipment
• CAT III: Distribution level, fixed installation, with smaller transient overvoltages than CAT IV.
• CAT IV: Units and installations, which are supplied overhead lines, which are stand in a risk of persuade of a lightning, i.e. main-switches on current input, overvoltage-diverter, current use counter.

To ensure safe operation of the equipment and eliminate the danger of serious injury due to short-circuits (arcing), the following safety precautions must be observed.

Damages resulting from failure to observe these safety precautions are exempt from any legal claims whatever.

• Do not use this instrument for high-energy industrial installation measurement. This instrument is intended for use in installation overvoltage category II.
• Do not exceed the maximum permissible input ratings of 600V DC/AC (danger of serious injury and/or destruction of the equipment).
• The meter is designed to withstand the stated max voltages. If it is not possible to exclude without that impulses, transients, disturbance or for other reasons, these voltages are exceeded a suitable pre-scale (10:1) must be used.
• Disconnect test leads or probe from the measuring circuit before switching modes or functions.
• Do not conduct current measurements with the leads connected to the V/Ω-terminals of the equipment.
• To avoid electric shock, disconnect power to the unit under test and discharge all capacitors before taking any resistance measurements.
• Check test leads and probes for faulty insulation or bare wires before connection to the equipment.
• To avoid electric shock, do not operate this product in wet or damp conditions. Conduct measuring works only in dry clothing and rubber shoes, i. e. on isolating mats.
• Never touch the tips of the test leads or probe.
• Comply with the warning labels and other info on the equipment.
• Always start with the highest measuring range when measuring unknown values.
• Do not subject the equipment to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, humidity or dampness.
• Do not subject the equipment to shocks or strong vibrations.
• Do not operate the equipment near strong magnetic fields (motors, transformers etc.).
• Keep hot soldering irons or guns away from the equipment.
• Allow the equipment to stabilize at room temperature before taking up measurement (important for exact measurements).
• Do not input values over the maximum range of each measurement to avoid damages of the meter.
• Do not turn the rotary function switch during voltage or current measurement, otherwise the meter could be damaged.
• Use caution when working with voltages above 35V DC or 25V AC. These Voltages pose shock hazard.
• Replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator "BAT" appears. With a low battery, the meter might produce false reading that can lead to electric shock and personal injury.
• Fetch out the battery when the meter will not be used for long period.
• Periodically wipe the cabinet with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives or solvents.
• The meter is suitable for indoor use only.
• Do not operate the meter before the cabinet has been closed and screwed safely as terminal can carry voltage.
• Do not store the meter in a place of explosive, inflammable substances.
• Do not modify the equipment in any way.
• Opening the equipment and service – and repair work must only be performed by qualified service personnel.
• Measuring instruments don't belong to children hands.

1.1. Cleaning the cabinet

Clean only with a damp, soft cloth and a commercially available mild household cleanser. Ensure, that no water gets inside the equipment to prevent possible shorts and damage to the equipment.

1.2. Meter Safety

• Double insulation (Protection Class II) [Icon: Shield with double square]
• DANGER! Risk of electric shock [Icon: Warning triangle with exclamation mark]
• ATTENTION! Refer to manual [Icon: Exclamation mark]
• Battery [Icon: Battery symbol]
• AC [Symbol: Tilde]
• DC [Symbol: Dashed line]

CAUTION! Note on using the supplied safety test leads according the IEC / EN 61010-031:2008:

Measurements in the field of overvoltage category CAT I or CAT II can be performed with test leads without sleeves with a maximum of up to 18mm long, touchable metallic probe, whereas for measurements in the field of overvoltage category CAT III or CAT IV test leads with put on sleeves, printed with CAT III and CAT IV must be used, and therefore the touchable and conductive part of the probes have only max. 4 mm of length.

2. Specifications

2.1. General Specifications

2.2. Environmental Conditions

2.3. Electrical Specifications

Accuracy is ± (% of reading + number of digits) at 23°C ± 5°C, less than 80% RH

AC Voltage (auto-ranging)

Over Voltage protection: 600 Vrms

Input Impedance: > 10 MΩ // less than 100 pF

AC Conversion Type:

AC conversions are AC coupled, true rms responding, calibrated to the rms value of a sine wave input. Accuracies are given for sine wave at full scale. For distorted signals, add the following crest factor corrections:

• for crest factor of 1.4 to 2.0, add 1.0 % to accuracy
• for crest factor of 2,0 to 2,5, add 2,5 % to accuracy
• for crest factor of 2,5 to 3,0, add 4,0 % to accuracy

DC Voltage (auto-ranging)

Over Voltage Protection: 600 Vrms

Input Impedance: > 10 MΩ

Resistance (auto-ranging)

Overload Protection: 600 Vrms

*1): The reading maybe rolling < 6 digits when the reading is close to full scale

*2): The reading maybe rolling < 3 digits when the reading is close to full scale

*3): The response time is approximate 20 seconds

*: Put a low resistor in the input terminal before slide the sliding function switch to resistor and continuity function may be cause a buzzer sound

Continuity

Built-in buzzer sound when resistance is less than 50 Ω and sound off when measured resistance is more than > 300 Ω. Between 50 Ω to 300 Ω the buzzer maybe sound or off either.

DC A (auto-ranging)

Overload protection: 400 Arms

AC A (auto-ranging)

Overload protection: 400 Arms

For DCA & ACA:

Temperature coefficient: 0.2 x (spec. accuracy)/°C < 20 °C or >26 °C

Operating temperature: 0...30°C (< 80 % RH); 30...40°C (<75% RH)

Maximum Hold:

In the maximum hold function the accuracy is changed as following: Original accuracy + 10 digits/change steps of range

For example:

At first, the maximum hold reading is 100 mV on 400 mV range. A voltage vibration changes the maximum hold reading to 120 V. The change steps of range are 3 steps (400 mV to 4 V to 40 V to 400 V) so the accuracy is needed to add 3 steps x 10 digital/change steps of range = 30 digits.

On maximum hold mode the accuracy of resistance is specified from 400 Ω to 400 kΩ range only.

Auto Power Off

The meter will automatically shut itself off after approximately 30 Minutes after power on.

3. Front Panel

[Diagram description: The front panel shows the clamp meter with numbered components. The main body has a display (1), input terminals (2), a hand strap attachment point (3), a function switch (4), an H/MAX switch (5), a zero switch (6), a selection button (7), a trigger for the clamp jaws (8), a hand guard (9), and the clamp jaws themselves (10).]

Component Descriptions:

• 1. Digital Display: The digital display has a 3 ¾ digit LCD readout (max. reading 3999) plus decimal point, AC, DC, AUTO, HOLD, MAX, continuity and unit annunciators.
• 2. Input Terminal: The black test lead is always connected to the COM input jack and the red test lead is always connected to the V-Ω input jack when measuring ACV or DCV or resistor or continuity.
• 3. Drop proof wrist strap: Attachment point for a wrist strap.
• 4. Function Switch: This slide switch is used to select AC V, DC V, AC A, DC A, Ω, ))) Function.
• 5. H/MAX Switch: This switch has two modes: Data Hold and Maximum Hold. Sliding the function switch to power on, this switch works in Data Hold mode. Pressing the H/MAX switch then sliding the function switch from power off to power on, this switch works in Maximum Hold mode.
  • Data Hold mode: This mode is used to hold measured value for all functions. Push this switch, then the HOLD annunciator is displayed. Conversions are made but the display is not updated.
  • Maximum Hold mode: This mode is used to hold the maximum measured value for all functions except continuity mode. Press this switch, the "MAX" annunciator turns on, then enters the maximum hold mode. Press this switch again to restart recording. Press this switch more than 2 seconds to exit the maximum hold mode.
• 6. Zero Switch: This switch is used to zero the reading on display. It works in DC and AC current function only. In zero mode, the reading maybe exceed ± 4000 counts.
• 7. Ω/AC/DC Selection switch: Push this switch alternately to measure AC voltage or DC voltage in the V ~ function or to measure AC current or DC current in the A ~ function, or to measure resistor or continuity in Ω/function. Auto power disable mode - press this switch until slide the function switch power on for 1 second; it will cause the auto power off function disable.
• 8. Trigger: Press the lever to open the transformer jaws. When the pressure on the lever is released, the jaws will close again.
• 9. Hand Guard: Designed to protect user for safety.
• 10. Transformer Jaws: Designed to pick up the AC/DC current flowing through the conductor.

4. Operation

4.1. Precautions and Preparations for measurement

• If the meter is used near equipment that generates electromagnetic interference, the display may be unstable or indicate incorrect measurement values.
• Make sure the battery is properly connected.
• The instrument should only be operated between 0° C...50° C and at less than 80 % R.H. (except current function is operated between 0°C...40°C).
• Do not use or store the instrument in a high temperature or high humidity environment and do not store the unit in direct sunlight.
• Do not replace battery with power on condition.
• If the unit is not to be used for a long period of time, remove the battery.
• Do not forget to turn off after use.
• Maximum rated voltage to earth for voltage measurement terminals is 600 V CAT. II, 300 V CAT. III.
• This instrument must not be used on uninsulated conductors at a voltage greater than 600 V AC/DC.

4.2. AC/DC Current Measurement

1. Set the slide switch at A ~ position.

2. Open spring-loaded clamp by pressing trigger on left side of meter.

3. Position clamp around wire or conductor and release clamp trigger smoothly, do not release quickly, make sure that the clamp is entirely closed. Position the conductors at the center of the clamp jaws for accurate measurement.

The clamp must be positioned around only one conductor. If the clamp is placed around two or more current-carrying conductors, the meter reading will be FALSE.

4. For DC measurement, the reading is positive value when the current flows from the upper side to the lower side of the instrument as shown in Figure 2.

5. Using the zero switch to zero the reading. Due to the high sensitivity of the clamp meter, must zero in the same direction as in measurement to avoid interference by external magnetic field (see Figure 3).

[Diagram description: Figure 2 shows the correct placement of a single conductor within the clamp jaws for measurement. Figure 3 illustrates correct and incorrect positioning for zeroing, emphasizing alignment with the magnetic field.]

4.3. AC/DC Voltage Measurement

1. Set the slide switch at V ~ position.

2. Connect the black test lead to the COM terminal and the red test lead to the "V-Ω" terminal. You can now place the probes to the conductors to make the measurement.

3. Pushing the AC/DC switch to select AC or DC mode.

4.4. Resistance Measurement

1. Set the slide switch at "Ω/ )))" position.

2. Connect the black test lead to the COM terminal and the red test lead to the V-Ω terminal.

3. Verify that the power to the circuit under test is off. Connect test leads to the circuit to make the measurement.

4. Pushing the Ω/))) switch to select resistance mode or continuity mode.

5. At continuity mode, built-in buzzer sounds if the resistance of the circuit under test is less than 50 Ω.

5. Maintenance

WARNING! To avoid electrical shock, remove test leads before opening the cover.

Repairs or servicing not covered in this manual should only be performed by qualified personnel.

5.1. Battery Installation or replacement

The meter is powered by two 1.5 V Alkaline batteries. Refer to Figure 4 and use the following procedure to replace the battery.

1. Disconnect the test leads and turn the meter off. Remove the test leads from the front terminals.

2. Remove the battery cover of case bottom from the instrument by removing the screw and then lifting off battery cover.

3. Lift the battery from the battery box.

4. Reinsert the battery into the battery box.

5. Replace the battery cover and reinstall the screw.

[Diagram description: Figure 4 shows the battery compartment, illustrating the removal of the battery cover and the placement of batteries.]

Statutory Notification about the Battery Regulations

The delivery of many devices includes batteries, which for example serve to operate the remote control. There also could be batteries or accumulators built into the device itself. In connection with the sale of these batteries or accumulators, we are obliged under the Battery Regulations to notify our customers of the following:

Please dispose of old batteries at a council collection point or return them to a local shop at no cost. The disposal in domestic refuse is strictly forbidden according to the Battery Regulations. You can return used batteries obtained from us at no charge at the address on the last side in this manual or by posting with sufficient stamps.

Batteries, which contain harmful substances, are marked with the symbol of a crossed-out waste bin, similar to the illustration shown left. Under the waste bin symbol is the chemical symbol for the harmful substance, e.g. "Cd" for cadmium, "Pb" stands for lead and "Hg" for mercury.