AEMC INSTRUMENTS SL361 (01) PDF Document

Failure to observe the safety instructions may result in electric shock, fire, explosion, and destruction of the instrument and of the installations. The following precautions must be followed:

• The operator and/or the responsible authority must carefully read and clearly understand the various precautions to be taken in use. Sound knowledge and a keen awareness of electrical hazards are essential when using this instrument.

• Use personal protection equipment (PPE) that meets or exceeds the environment in which the operator is working.

• If you use this instrument other than as specified, the protection it provides may be compromised, thereby endangering you.

• Do not use the instrument on networks of which the voltage or category exceeds those mentioned in this document.

• Do not use the instrument if it seems to be damaged, incomplete, or poorly closed.

• Before each use, check the condition of the insulation on the leads and housing. Any item of which the insulation is deteriorated (even partially) must be set aside for repair or scrapping.

• When handling the instrument, keep your fingers behind the guard.

• Do not expose the current probe to sprays of water.

• All troubleshooting and metrological checks must be done by competent, accredited personnel.

• Use ONLY a wall plug adapter rated ≤1 A.

The device is compliant with safety standard IEC/EN 61010-2-032 or BS EN 61010-2-032, for voltages up to 600 V in CAT III or 300 V in CAT IV.

CAT IV: Corresponds to measurements performed at the primary electrical supply (< 1000 V). Example: primary overcurrent protection devices, ripple control units, and meters.

CAT III: Corresponds to measurements performed in the building installation at the distribution level. Example: hardwired equipment in fixed installation and circuit breakers.

CAT II: Corresponds to measurements performed on circuits directly connected to the electrical distribution system. Example: measurements on household appliances and portable tools.

The AC/DC Current Probe Model SL361 (Cat. #2153.09) includes:

• (1) 9 V (6LR61) alkaline battery

• a user manual

The AEMC INSTRUMENTS SL361 can be used to measure current from 100 mA to 100 Apeak without breaking the circuit. It measures the waveform and amplitude of the current in the form of a voltage, with a bandwidth from DC to 100 kHz. It can be powered by a battery or 5 V via the micro-USB connector.

Instrument Features:

• a reset push button,

• a range overload indicator,

• a power supply indicator,

• automatic standby to prolong battery life.

Compatibility:

The Model SL361 is compatible with any analog or digital oscilloscope or other voltage-measuring instrument which has the following features:

• BNC input connector

• Range capable of displaying (0.2 to 0.5) V per division

• Minimum input impedance of >1 MΩ

• Jaw opening can accommodate up to a single 4/0 AWG (11.684 mm diameter) conductor.

Switch the instrument ON by pushing the slide switch to the 10 mV/A or the 100 mV/A setting.

• The 10 mV/A setting corresponds to the 100 A range.

• The 100 mV/A setting corresponds to the 10 A range.

The ON indicator lights green. If it blinks, there is less than 4 hours of use. If it fails to light, you must replace the battery or plug into USB power. It takes 10 seconds to set up the instrument for use.

1. Switch the probe on.

2. Connect the probe to the measuring instrument. The phase is on the core of the BNC connector.

3. Make sure that the probe is not on a conductor and that its jaws are correctly closed.

4. Place the probe in the position it will be in during the measurement.

5. Press the zero adjustment button.

6. The OL indicator lights for approximately three seconds to indicate that the zero adjustment is in progress in the two ranges.

7. If the zero has been correctly adjusted, the OL indicator goes off. If it remains on, the zero could not be adjusted.

In case of adjustment failure, check that the probe is not on any conductor and its jaws are correctly closed, then press the zero adjustment button again. Alternatively, switch the probe off and back on; the last stored adjustment will be used.

NOTE: The zero must be adjusted before each measurement. WARNING: Always connect the probe to the instrument before clamping onto the circuit under test.

1. Once the zero has been adjusted, press the mobile arm of the probe handle to open the jaws.

2. Clamp the cable carrying the current to be measured.

3. The arrow on the probe must point in the presumed direction of current flow (from load source to load).

4. Release the mobile arm gently and make sure that the jaws are correctly closed.

5. The value measured is displayed on the measuring instrument.

If the OL indicator lights, it means the current is too strong to be measured. If you are in the 100 mV/A range, switch to the 10 mV/A range.

NOTE: Remember to unclamp the probe from the conductor before disconnecting it from your meter or instrument.

At the end of 10 minutes of operation with no sign of the user’s presence (a press on the zero adjustment button or an action on the switch), the probe switches to standby and the ON indicator goes off.

To wake up the probe, press the zero adjustment button or set the switch to a position other than OFF.

To disable auto off (operation in permanent mode), press the zero adjustment button when starting up the instrument. The ON indicator blinks to indicate that the request has been taken into account, then lights steady orange when you release the zero adjustment button.

When the probe is switched off (switch set to OFF), the auto off function is re-activated.

ON Indicator

OL Indicator

Yes, for long-term measurements, you can connect the clamp to an external power source using an optional line power adapter. You can use any micro-USB adapter that supplies 5 VDC with a minimum 50 mA output or more.

When the instrument is powered via the micro-USB connector, automatic standby is disabled.

WARNING: The type B micro-USB connector must not be in contact with conductors or uninsulated parts at dangerous voltage.

• Disconnect the instrument completely and turn the rotary switch to OFF. Also make sure that no cable is clamped.

• Use a damp soft cloth and dry rapidly with a dry cloth or forced air.

• Do not use alcohol, solvents or hydrocarbons.

• The air gaps of the clamp must always be kept clean.

• Do no leave the probe in very damp places, or exposed to splashes of any liquid substances.

WARNING: Risk of electric shock. Disconnect all input(s) from the unit or remove the probe from any conductor before opening the battery cover to change the battery.

If the green battery indication LED does not light up when the probe is turned on, the battery will need to be replaced. Do not replace the battery while the probe is in use. Disconnect the current probe from the circuit and turn the current probe OFF.

To replace the battery:

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw securing the battery compartment.

2. Slide the battery compartment cover away and off from the current probe.

3. Connect the battery to the snap-on connector; take care with the polarity.

NOTE: You can use a rechargeable Ni-MH battery, but the life will be shorter. The instrument does not recharge rechargeable batteries.

4. Place the battery in its compartment.

5. Slide the battery compartment cover back in place; make sure that it is completely and correctly closed.

6. Screw the battery compartment cover screw back in place.

The instrument is powered by a 9 V battery (type 6LR61 or NEDA 1604A). The typical battery life is 80 h with an alkaline battery.

The instrument can also be powered by an external supply (5 V, 50 mA) via the type B micro-USB connector.

The device must be used in the following conditions:

• Range of reference: (18 to 28)°C (64.4 to 82.4) °F from (20 to 75) % RH

• Operating range: (-10 to 50) °C (14 to 122) °F from (10 to 45) % RH and (-10 to 35) °C (14 to 95) °F from (10 to 85) % RH

• Storage range: (-30 to 80) °C (-22 to 176) °F from (0 to 30) % RH and (-30 to 50) °C (-22 to 122) °F from (0 to 85) % RH

• Indoor use.

• Pollution degree: 2

• Altitude: < 6562 ft, < 2000 m

• Transport altitude: ≤ 39,370 ft, ≤ 12,000 m

Dimensions (L x W x H): (9.09 x 1.42 x 2.64) in (231 x 36 x 67) mm

Weight: approximately 11.6 oz (330 g) with battery

Measurement Lead Length: 6.5 ft (2 m)

USB Cord Length: 5.9 in (15 cm)

Clamping capacity: .46 in (11.8 mm) in diameter

Protection by the housing: IP 20 per IEC 60529