CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531 (01) PDF Document

To ensure safety while using the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531, please observe the following precautions:

Comply with the conditions for use: temperature, humidity, altitude, degree of pollution and place of use.

This instrument can be used on category-III installations for voltages not exceeding 600 V in relation to the earth. Category III meets severe reliability and availability requirements, corresponding to permanent use on fixed industrial installations (see IEC 1010-1 + A2).

Use connection accessories that comply with the applicable IEC safety standards, with a minimum voltage and voltage surge category at least equal to those that you use for your measurements.

Respect the value and type of the fuse to avoid damaging the instrument.

Set the switch to OFF when the instrument is not in use.

Do not perform any insulation or resistance measurements when the presence of a voltage is indicated.

Check that none of the terminals is connected and that the switch is set to OFF before opening the instrument.

The display symbols on the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531 indicate the following:

ALARM: Threshold active or threshold programming in progress.

>: Upper threshold.

<: Lower threshold.

Lightning Bolt Symbol: Dangerous voltage generated (only comes on if test at 50 V). Risk of electric shock.

> 25 V: Voltage > 25 V present on the instrument’s terminals.

DREL: Difference between actual measurement and measurement in memory (does not function for voltage on the MW positions).

Sound Wave Symbol: Buzzer active.

P: Constant operation (no automatic shutdown).

Battery Symbol (+ -): Batteries flat.

Bargraph Arrow Right: Insulation > 1.1 GW.

Bargraph Arrow Left: Insulation < 70 kW.

BAT: Batteries low – must be changed.

OL: Range exceeded.

– – -: Insulation < 10 kW at 50 V, < 20 kW at 100 V, < 50 kW at 250 V, < 100 kW at 500 V.

The control keys on the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531 function as follows:

Yellow key: When pressed, a high voltage is generated for insulation testing. If a voltage greater than 25 V is detected, no insulation testing is allowed, the key becomes inactive, and the instrument remains in voltage measurement mode.

ALARM key: Used to activate/deactivate the alarm thresholds during insulation and resistance measurements. When associated with the selector keys, it can be used to program threshold values.

Right Arrow Key: Used to program alarm thresholds and capacitance per unit length. Pressing it cycles through flashing elements (digits, units, decimal separators, threshold type).

Up Arrow Key: Used to scroll through possible values of flashing elements during programming (MW/GW/kW/W units, digits 0-9, decimal separators, > or < symbols).

Backlight Key: Turns the display backlighting on. It turns off automatically after one minute. A second press turns it off manually. A long press on the 4000 nF setting enables unit length programming.

DREL key: A long press memorizes a value. Subsequent measurements show the positive or negative deviation compared to the memorized value. Another press clears the memory.

To measure insulation with the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531:

1. Start the instrument by setting the switch to the MW position that provides the required voltage.

2. Connect the lead from the “+” terminal to the cold point and the lead of the “-” terminal or the remote control probe to the hot point.

3. The instrument first measures the AC/DC voltage. If there is no voltage greater than 25 V proceed to the next step.

4. Press the yellow key and keep it pressed until the measurement is displayed. The high voltage is generated between terminals.

5. Note the value displayed. For high insulation values (> 1 GW), use the “G” guard terminal to remove the influence of superficial leak currents.

6. Release the yellow key when measurement is complete and wait for the installation to discharge (voltage < 25 V) before disconnecting leads.

As soon as the switch is set to a MW position, the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531 measures the voltage between its terminals. If the voltage is greater than 25 V, “> 25 V” is displayed. Pressing the yellow key will not trigger an insulation measurement; instead, it causes a series of buzzes and the danger symbol flashes until the key is released. These warnings end only if the voltage falls below 25 V or the switch is turned to OFF.

To measure resistance:

1. Start the instrument by setting the switch to 40 kW.

2. Connect the + and – leads to the measurement points.

3. Note the resistance value displayed on the digital measurement display, accompanied by the W or kW symbol.

If the resistance is greater than the measurement range, the OL symbol is displayed.

To measure capacitance:

1. Start the instrument by setting the switch to 4000 nF.

2. Connect the + and – leads to the measurement points.

3. Note the capacitance value displayed accompanied by the nF symbol.

The length of the telephone line measured is indicated in km on the digital threshold display, based on the programmed capacitance per unit length. If leads are short-circuited, OL is displayed and distance is “- – – km”. If not connected, it indicates 0.00.

To measure current:

1. Start the instrument by setting the switch to 400 mA.

2. Connect the leads from the “mA” and “-” terminals to the measurement points.

3. Note the current value displayed accompanied by the mA symbol.

The fuse is checked at start-up and after every measurement. If the current value is negative, it is advised to swap the leads to have a positive measurement. If measurement exceeds 400 mA, the OL symbol is displayed.

After 5 minutes without any user activity (key press or switch turn), the CHAUVIN ARNOUX C.A 6531 shuts down automatically to save batteries. To restart, press any key, turn the switch, or press the yellow key on the remote probe.

To deactivate automatic shutdown, press the backlight button whilst switching on the device with the rotating switch. The “P” symbol will be displayed, indicating continuous use mode. To reactivate it, switch the instrument OFF and then back ON.

Power Supply Autotest: The voltage is measured automatically every second. Correct operation range is 7 V to 10 V. If the charge is low (U < 7.1 V), the battery symbol flashes. If accuracy is no longer guaranteed (U ≤ 6.9 V), the battery symbol stays lit. If voltage is too low for operation (U < 6.7 V), the display shows BAT and the instrument shuts down.

Fuse Autotest: The fuse is automatically tested when switching on the instrument and at the end of each current measurement.

Programming: Select programming mode by a long press on the ALARM key. Use the Right Arrow key to select digits/units and the Up Arrow key to scroll through values. A long press on the ALARM key records the threshold and exits programming mode.

Activation/Deactivation: A short press on the ALARM key activates the threshold corresponding to the switch position (ALARM symbol and value displayed). A second short press deactivates it.

Triggering: If an upper threshold (>) is active and measurement exceeds it, or a lower threshold (<) is active and measurement falls below it, a continuous beep triggers and the threshold display flashes.

When the switch is set to nF, perform a long press on the backlight key to activate programming mode. The value in memory is displayed with the nF/km symbol (default is 50 nF/km). Use the Right Arrow key to select flashing elements and the Up Arrow key to change values. A long press on the backlight key records the value and exits programming.

Measurement range: 0 to 600 V AC/DC
Frequency: DC and 15… 400 Hz

Measurement range:

• at 50 V: 10 kW to 400 MW
• at 100 V: 20 kW to 400 MW

Analogue calibre: 70 kW …1.1 GW
Resolution: 8 segments per 10-unit interval
Accuracy: 5 % R ± 1 segment

Digital Measurement:

Voltage and Current:

Measurement range: 0 to 40 kW

Measurement current: 55 or 550 µA according to the measurement.
Voltage at open circuit: 7 V ≤ Uopen ≤ 9 V.

Capacitance (0 to 4000 nF):

Distance (0 to 80 km):

Before replacing batteries, ensure the switch is set to OFF and no terminals are connected. Open the battery compartment on the back of the unit using a coin or large screwdriver (1/4-turn captive screw). Replace the batteries with 2 x 3 LR6 1.5 V batteries, observing the direction shown on the power-supply board. Close the hatch properly.

If “FUS” appears on the display, the fuse must be changed. Ensure the switch is set to OFF and no terminals are connected. Open the battery compartment. The fuse is on a carrier welded to the power-supply board next to the text “F-0.63 A”. Replace the faulty fuse with a new one of the same rating and type (FF 0.63 A – 660 V – 6.3 x 32 mm – 30 kA).

Disconnect the instrument from any electricity source. Use a soft cloth slightly moistened with soapy water. Rinse with a wet cloth and dry quickly with a dry cloth or pulsated air. Do not use alcohol, solvents, or hydrocarbons.