METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps Instruction Manual

October 30, 2023
METREL

METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps

Product Information: Mini AC Current Clamps 20/200 A

The A 1783 Mini AC current clamps are a product designed and manufactured by Metrel d.o.o. The clamps have a linear response through a wide frequency bandwidth, making them suitable for power quality measurements such as current distortion, inrush measurement, harmonics measurement for frequency, and functional testing of appliances and machines. They have a high precision and measurement range of up to 30 A / 260 A, which can cover most current measurements on the secondary side of current transformer (CT) without opening the current circuit. The clamps also have a small phase shift over a wide frequency range, making them suitable for energy and power measurements.

Product Usage Instructions

Before using the A 1783 Mini AC current clamps, please read the safety and operational considerations in section 2 of the instruction manual carefully.

  1. General Description: The current clamps have handles (1), safety barrier (2), conductor opening (3), clamps jaw (4), cable connection with connector (5), and range selection switch (6).
  2. Power Quality Measurement: To use the clamps for power quality measurement, select the appropriate range on the range selection switch (6) based on the current being measured. Place the conductor to be measured in the clamps jaw (4) and ensure it is securely held. Connect the cable connection with connector (5) to the measuring instrument and begin taking measurements.
  3. Energy and Power Measurement: To use the clamps for energy and power measurement, follow the same steps as for power quality measurement. The clamps have a small phase shift over a wide frequency range, making them suitable for these types of measurements.
  4. Inspection: Regularly inspect the clamps for any damage or wear. Do not use the clamps if they are damaged or worn as this could result in inaccurate measurements or injury.
  5. Cleaning: Clean the clamps with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use any cleaning agents or solvents as this could damage the clamps.
  6. Service and Calibration: The A 1783 Mini A Ccurrent clamps should be serviced and calibrated regularly to ensure accurate measurements. Contact Metrel d.o.o. for service and calibration.
  7. Technical Specifications: Refer to section 7 of the instruction manual for technical specifications of the A 1783 Mini AC current clamps.

Manufacturer:
Metrel d.o.o.
Ljubljanska cesta 77
SI-1354 Horjul Slovenia
e-mail: info@metrel.si
https://www.metrel.si
Mark on your equipment certifies that it meets requirements of all subjected EU regulations
Hereby, Metrel d.o.o. declares that the A 1783 is in compliance with subjected EU directives. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address https://www.metrel.si/DoC.

Mark on your equipment certifies that it meets requirements of all subjected UK regulations.

METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 02 Hereby, Metrel d.o.o. declares that the A 1783 is in compliance with subjected UK regulations. The full text of the UK declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address
https://www.metrel.si/UK-DoC.
© 2023 METREL
The trade names Metrel®, Smartec®, Eurotest®, Auto Sequence® are trademarks registered in Europe and other countries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without permission in writing from METREL.

General Description

The A 1783 current clamps are designed for measuring alternating currents on insulated conductors on low power installations: 50 mA ÷ 200 A. They are designed for Metrel Power Quality Instruments MI 2893 / MI 2892 / MI 2885 / MI 2884 / MI 2883. The current transducer is housed in a plastic case that maintains double insulation. Parts are shown on figure bellow:

METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 03A 1783 current clamps

Typical applications

Power Quality Measurement
The A 1783 current clamps have linear response through wide frequency bandwidth. Therefore, they are well suited for:

  •  Power Quality auditing,
  •  EN 50160 or troubleshooting. Particularly for:
    • Current distortion measurement
    • Inrush measurement
    • Harmonics measurement for frequency
    • Functional testing of appliances, machines, etc.

High precision and measurement range up to 30 A / 260 A can cover most current measurements on the secondary side of current transformer (CT) without opening of current circuit.

Energy and Power Measurement
The A 1783 current clamps have small phase shift over wide frequency range. Therefore, they are well suited for:

  •  Power and energy measurements (active, reactive, apparent)
  •  Power factor measurements
  •  Power/Energy efficiency

Safety and operational considerations

 Warnings and notes

In order to maintain the highest level of operator safety while carrying out various tests and measurements Metrel recommends keeping your A 1783 Mini AC current clamp in good condition and undamaged. When using the A 1783, consider the following general warnings:

  • The symbol on the A 1783 means »Read the Instruction manual with special care for safe operation«. The symbol requires an action!
  •  If the test equipment is used in a manner that is not specified in this Instruction manual, the protection provided by the equipment might be impaired!
  •  Adhere to local and national safety codes. Individual protective equipment must be used to prevent shock and arc blast injury where hazardous live conductors are exposed.
  •  Before each use, inspect the A 1783 Current Clamp and its latching system for any damage. Pay particular attention to the insulation surrounding the jaw. Look for cracks or missing portions of the clamp housing or output cable insulation. Also look for loose or weakened components. Don’t use current sensor if the wear indicator of the cable connection is visible.
  •  Do not use a clamp that is cracked, damaged, or has a defective cable.
  •  Do not use the A 1783 Current Clamp to measure bare conductors carrying a voltage higher than 30 V ac rms or 42 V ac peak.
  •  Never use the clamp on a circuit with voltages higher than 300 V CAT II (insulated conductors).
  •  De-energize the installation on which current will be measured or adopt safe operating procedures during application and removal of the current clamp.
  •  Use extreme caution when working around bare conductors or bus bars (follow the requirements of EN 50191).
  • Do not apply around or remove from UNINSULATED HAZARDOUS LIVE conductors, which may render electric shock, electric burn, or arc flash.

Markings on the A 1783:

Symbol Description
**** Read the Instruction manual with special care to safety operation«. The

symbol requires an action!
METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 05| Do not apply around or remove from HAZARDOUS LIVE conductors.
METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 06| Mark on your equipment certifies that it meets requirements of all subjected EU regulations.
| Mark on your equipment certifies that it meets requirements of all subjected UK regulations.
| This equipment should be recycled as electronic waste.

 Standards applied

The A 1783 Current Clamp is manufactured and tested in accordance with the following regulations:
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

EN 61326 – 1 Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use  – EMC requirements – Part 1: General requirements
EN 61326 – 2 – 2   Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use
– EMC requirements – Part 2-2: Particular requirements – Test configurations, operational conditions and performance criteria for portable test, measuring and monitoring equipment used in low-voltage distribution systems
Safety (LVD)
EN 61010 – 1 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement,  control and laboratory use – Part 1: General requirements
EN 61010 – 2 – 032 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use – Part 2-032: Particular requirements for hand-held and hand-manipulated current sensors for electrical test and measurement

Note about EN and IEC standards:

  • Text of this manual contains references to European standards. All standards of EN 6XXXX (e.g. EN 61010) series are equivalent to IEC standards with the same number (e.g. IEC 61010) and differ only in amended parts required by European harmonization procedure.

 Current clamp operation

  • Step 1
    Connect A 1783 Current Clamps to the desired input on the measuring instrument.

  • Step 2
    Clamp the probe around the insulated current-carrying conductor(s) to be measured. Make sure that probe jaws are tightly closed around the conductor(s). In the case of measuring current near live, naked conductor(s), remove electrical power from wires, before clamping (follow the requirements of EN 50191).

Current clamps A 1783- connection to the measuring instrument

Current clamps proper position
Position the clamp with the current direction indicator pointing toward the load side. If install the clamp in the opposite direction, the phase displacement will deviate 180 degrees.

  • Step 3
    Select Phase and Neutral clamps to A 1783 in Connection setup menu on your instrument. Select proper Clamps range on the PQA (same as it was selected on the clamps Step 2). METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps
11
    METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 12

  • Step 4
    Observe the current value and waveform on the instrument’s display.

Inspection
To maintain operator safety and ensure reliability of the A 1783 Current Clamp, it is good practice to inspect it on a regular basis. Check that the enclosure and optional connection are without defects such as scratches or breaks. Jaw surface must be clean. Pollution on jaw surfaces reduces the current clamp sensitivity.

Cleaning
No special maintenance is required for the housing. To clean the surface of the A 1783 use a soft cloth slightly moistened with soapy water or alcohol. Then leave the A 1783 to dry totally before use.

Warnings:

  • Do not use liquids based on petrol or hydrocarbons!
  •  Do not spill cleaning liquid over the A 1783!

Service and Calibration
It is essential that your clamp is regularly calibrated in order to guarantee the technical specification listed in this Instruction manual. We recommend 2-year calibration interval. Metrel encloses an original calibration certificate with every new instrument and clamp. For recalibration and repairs under or out of warranty time please contact your distributor for further information.

Warning:

  • Only a competent, authorized person is allowed to carry out service intervention!

Technical specifications

Nominal current (INom)……………………………..20 A / 200 A
Nominal current range …………………………….5 % INom … 100 % INom
Maximal current (IMax) ……………………………..30 A / 260 A
Output signal ………………………………………….10mV/A (20 A range) 1mV/A (200 A range)
Bandwidth …………………………………………….. 45 Hz … 60 Hz
Uncertainty…………………………………………….± (0,5 % of reading + 0,02 % FS)
Phase Error…………………………………………….± ≤0,5° (45 – 5 kHz)
External fields…………………………………………30 A/m (No influence)
Continuity of measurements…………………….20 A (continuous) 30 A (40 min / 20 min intermitted)

Dimensions & Mechanical data:
Current sensor type…………………………………D
Length of connection cable ……………………… 1.5 m
Jaw opening…………………………………………… 24 mm
Maximum conductor sizes………………………..fi < 24 mm
Dimensions (W x H x L)……………………………. 64 mm x 130 mm x 26 mm
Weight ………………………………………………….300 g

Safety specification:
Over-voltage category……………………………..600 V CAT III
Pollution degree ……………………………………..2
Degree of protection……………………………….IP 40

EMC:
Emission…………………………………………………Class B
Immunity ……………………………………………….Portable equipment

Environment conditions:
Working temperature range …………………….-15 °C … 50 °C
Storage temperature range………………………-20 °C … 60 °C
Humidity range……………………………………….0 %RH … 80 %RH
Reference temperature range…………………..25 C ± 5 C @ 40 %RH … 60 %RH
Altitude………………………………………………….up to 2000 m
Operation ………………………………………………Indoor use

Substitute Electric Model for A 1783 Mini AC current clamps 20/200 A
Equivalent circuit diagram for current clamp measurement:

METREL A 1783 Mini AC Current Clamps 13 A 1783 Mini AC current clamps 20/200 A – block diagram

Symbols on circuit diagrams have following meaning:

  • Im Measured (AC) current, primary current
  • Is Secondary transformer current

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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