FLUKE 80I-600A (01) PDF Document

The FLUKE 80I-600A is a clamp-on ac current probe designed to extend the current measuring capability of an ac current meter to 600 amperes. A clamp-on, 1000-turn coil designed into the probe allows measurements to be made without breaking the circuit under test. The coil serves as the secondary of a current transformer. The current carrying conductor being measured serves as the primary. Because of a high efficiency, quadrature type of winding used, wire size and the position of the wire within the probe jaws does not effect accuracy.

Input Current Range: 1A to 600A

Output: 1 milliamp per ampere of input current (1mA/A)

Accuracy: ±2% of reading, 50 Hz to 1 kHz ±3% of reading (typical), 30 Hz to 50 Hz or 1 kHz to 10 kHz.

Working Voltage: 750V ac rms maximum

Maximum Conductor Size: 50.8 mm (2 inch.)

Shunt (load) Resistance: less than 12 Ω at multimeter input to maintain specified accuracy

Typical Bandwidth: -10% at 10 Hz and 50 kHz (1A, 400 Hz reference, excludes multimeter response)

Usable Current Range: 0.1A to 2000A, 5 seconds maximum above 600A

Safety: Protection Class Class II as defined in IEC 348 and ANSI C39.5

The FLUKE 80I-600A is compatible with any multimeter capable of reading ac current equal to 1/1000 of the current to be measured. To take full advantage of the probe’s accuracy, a multimeter ac current accuracy of ±0.75% or better is recommended. A voltmeter fitted with an external shunt will qualify as a suitable current meter. However, to ensure the probe’s accuracy, the shunt (or multimeter input resistance in ac current) should be less than 12 Ω. This requirement is met on Fluke DMM’s when using a current range of 20 mA or greater.

When making a measurement, the current-carrying conductor is not broken, and remains electrically isolated from the current meter input terminals. As a result, the current meter’s INPUT LO or COM terminal may be either floated (isolated) or grounded.

When the FLUKE 80I-600A is connected to a compatible current meter and clamped around a single current-carrying conductor, the meter reading will be one 1000th of the actual current in the conductor. For example, a 5-ampere (A) input current will be transformed into a 5 milliampere (mA) output current.

Multimeter readings displayed in milliamps (mA) can be read directly as amperes of conductor current. Readings displayed in amperes (A) must be multiplied times 1000 to obtain the amperes of conductor current.

When measuring current in an ac line cord, the jaws should be clamped around only one conductor (the black or hot wire in a three wire cord). If the jaws are clamped around both current carrying conductors, the currents will cancel and produce a zero reading.

If the probe is clamped around two wires carrying current in the same direction, the sum will be read. Reversing one of the wires causes the difference to be read.

The FLUKE 80I-600A AC Current Probe is specified to measure currents of 1A or greater. Currents less than 1A will produce meter readings that are below the true value. Low-level currents can be measured by looping the input wire through the jaws so that the sum of the current through the jaws is greater than 1A. The actual current can then be calculated by dividing the meter reading by the number of turns looped through the jaws.

For example, to measure a current of 400 mA (0.4A), form a 10-turn loop and clamp the jaws of the FLUKE 80I-600A around all 10 turns. The meter reading will be 4 mA, which corresponds to a primary current of 4A. The actual current in the conductor is 4A divided by 10-turns, or 400 mA.

1. Connect the FLUKE 80I-600A output connectors between the common and the appropriate current input jack of a suitable meter, then switch the meter on.

2. Select a 20 mA ac or greater current range. The range selection on the meter should always be 20 mA or greater (12 Ω shunt or lower). Lower ranges with higher shunt values will cause reading errors.

3. Clamp the probe around the current-carrying conductor to be measured. Make sure the probe jaws are tightly closed around the conductor. Wire size and the position of the wire within the probe jaws does not affect measurement accuracy.

* 20 mA range for up to 20A
200 mA range for up to 200A
2000 mA range for up to 600A

Verify the probe accuracy by measuring the output of a 20A (±0.2%), 60 Hz current source (Fluke 5100B and 5220A or equivalent). When used with a compatible DMM with ± 0.75% or better ac current accuracy (Fluke 8060A or equivalent), the probe should measure 20.00A ± 0.40A (20.00 mA, ± 0.40 mA). There are no calibration adjustments in the FLUKE 80I-600A.

Use a soft cloth dampened in a mild solution of detergent and water to clean the FLUKE 80I-600A. Do not use solvents. A light coating of dripless oil on the jaw surfaces will prevent corrosion.