PCE Instruments PCE-DC 50 AC DC Clamp Meter User Manual

: June 3, 2024
: PCE Instruments

Table of Contents

Safety notes
Specifications
Delivery scope
System description
Operation
Function setting
Maintenance and cleaning
Warranty
Disposal
PCE Instruments contact information
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

PCE Instruments PCE-DC 50 AC DC Clamp Meter User Manual

Safety notes

Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and not covered by our warranty.

The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used otherwise, this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations. Never touch live components when measuring. There is a danger to life.
Never touch the bare measuring tips, otherwise electric shocks may occur.
Before each measurement, make sure that the correct measurement range is set and that the test leads are connected correctly.
Resistance, capacitance and temperature measurements as well as diode tests (if applicable) may only be carried out in a voltage-free state.
Before replacing the batteries or the fuses, all test leads must be removed from the meter.
The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
You must not make any technical changes to the device.
The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH neutral cleaner, no abrasives or solvents.
The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not use the device.
Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under any circumstances.
Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to the user.

| General warning sign
Non-observance can cause damage to the device and injuries to the user.
---|---
| Warning: electrical voltage
Non-observance can cause electric shock.

We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.

We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.

If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at the end of this manual.

Specifications

Current measurement AC/DC (current clamp)

Delivery scope

1 x PCE-DC 50 clamp meter, 1 x test lead set, 1 x carrying case, 1 x PC software, 1 x Bluetooth adaptor, 2 x K-type thermocouple, 1 x 9 V block battery

System description

Current clamp
Opening lever current clamp
HOLD key / display backlight
MODE / Bluetooth key
Display
Sockets for K-type thermocouple
Sockets for test lead
Sensor non-contact voltage detection
Illumination of measuring location
Indicator non-contact voltage detection
ZERO key / illumination
Function rotary switch
MAX / MIN key
RANGE / PEAK key
Shutter for input sockets

Icon	Description	Icon	Description
HOLD	Freeze measured value	Ω	Resistance
Automatic power off	A	Ampere (current)
AUTO	Automatic measurement range adjustment	F	Farad (capacity)
Show peak value	Hz	Hertz (frequency)
DC	Direct current	%	Duty cycle
AC	Alternating current	°F and °C	Temperature unit
MAX	Maximum value	T1, T2, T1- T2	Temperature input 1 and 2 / difference
MIN	Minimum value	n, m,μ, M, k	Measured value sign
Battery low		Continuity test
ZERO	Zeroing DC and capacitance		Diode test
mV or V	milli-volts or volts

Operation

Preparation

Unpack the meter completely.
Remove the protective foils if necessary.
Insert a battery as described in chapter 7.2.2.

Shutter for input sockets
The shutter prevents the simultaneous connection of the test leads for the multimeter function and the connection of the thermocouples for temperature measurement. Slide the switch upwards to use the multimeter function. To use the temperature measurement function, slide the switch down.

Attention!
The shutter is a safety feature that prevents dangerous contact voltages. The meter must not be operated if the shutter is defective.

Non-contact voltage detection

Turn the function rotary switch to any position.
Place the tip on the conductor to be tested. In case of multi-core conductors, run the tip along the conductor to exclude false measurements due to twisted conductors.
If voltage is present, the indicator for non-contact voltage detection permanently glows in red.

Current measurement AC / DC

Remove all test leads from the meter before making measurements with the clamp.

Turn the rotary function switch to the 1000 A AC/DC position.
Use the MODE key to select between AC and DC.
Open the measuring clamp, enclose the conductor to be measured and close the clamp completely.
If the read value is below 50 A, turn the rotary switch to 50 A AC/DC to improve the resolution.

Zeroing DC
With this function, you can set the measured value display to zero.

As described in chapter 5.4, select current measurement DC.
Press the “ZERO” key on the right side of the meter.
The display should now show 0000. A slight jump of the last digit is normal.

Voltage measurement AC / DC
Do not make a voltage measurement while a motor is being switched on or off in the circuit. This can cause voltage peaks and damage the meter.

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position V.
Use the MODE key to select between AC and DC.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to V).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
Read the measured value in the display.

Resistance measurement, continuity and diode test

Disconnect the circuits / components to be measured from the power supply.

Resistance

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
Read the measured value in the display.

Continuity test

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
Press the MODE key repeatedly until the continuity test icon appears on the display.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
Touch the measuring points with the measuring tips.
An acoustic signal sounds if the resistance is <50 Ω.

Diode test

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
Press the MODE key repeatedly until the diode test icon appears on the display.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips and write down the measured value.
Swap the polarity.
Now compare this reading to the first reading.

Evaluate the measurement as follows: If “OL” is displayed in both measurements, the diode is defective. If “OL” is displayed in one measurement and typical values of e. g. 0.400 V … 1.800 V are displayed in the second measurement, the diode is working. If voltage values are displayed in both measurements, the diode is defective. In this case, the diode generates a short circuit.

Capacitance measurement

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
Press the MODE key repeatedly until “F” appears on the display.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
Read the measured value.
The stabilisation of the measured value can take several seconds for larger measured values.

Frequency and duty cycle

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Hz.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets black to COM and red to CAP).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
Read the measured values in the display (frequency in the middle / duty cycle at the bottom).

µA current measurement AC / DC

Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
Set the rotary switch to position µA.
Use the MODE key to select AC or DC.
Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to µA).
Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
Read the measured value in the display.

Temperature measurement

Slide the cover of the input sockets downwards.
Set the rotary switch to position Temp.
Use the MODE key to select °C or °F.
Plug the thermocouple(s) into the measuring input sockets.
Place it/them at the desired measuring spots.
Read the measured value in the display.

A measured value overflow or unconnected temperature sensor is indicated in the display by “OL”. During the T1-T2 measurement, a missing sensor is signalled by —– in the main display.
With the RANGE key, you can choose between different types of displaying the measured values:

Key	Display
RANGE	Middle
T1	T2
1 x	T2
2 x	T1-T2
3 x	T1- T2

Function setting

Freeze measured value

Press the HOLD kry to freeze the current readings on the display. HOLD” appears in the display.
Press again to return to measuring mode.

MIN / MAX

Press the MAX / MIN key to activate the max/min memory. The display shows the current and the maximum measured value.
Press the MAX / MIN key again. The display shows the current and the minimum measured value.
Press the MAX / MIN key again. The display shows “Max / Min” and the current measured value (only available for the measuring functions temperature and frequency). The min and max values are saved in the background.
Press and hold the MAX / MIN key to exit the function.

Hold peak value

With the hold peak function, you can display the max. and min. value of the sine wave in the V AC measuring function.

Press and hold the RANGE key to switch the function on or off.

Set measurement range

You can influence the measurement ranges for the measuring functions voltage, resistance, capacitance, frequency and µA. The default setting is automatic measurement range change.

Press the RANGE key repeatedly until the appropriate measurement range is set.
Press and hold the RANGE key to return to automatic range selection.

Display backlight

Press and hold the HOLD key to turn the backlight on or off.
(Depending on the firmware version, the display backlight switches off automatically after 30 seconds.)

Measuring spot illumination

Press and hold the ZERO key to switch the measuring spot illumination on or off.

Bluetooth connection

Press and hold the MODE key to switch the Bluetooth connection on or off.
For use on the PC, download the PCE-DC 50 software from our download area: https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/download-win_4.htm

Use the dongle from the delivery scope as the Bluetooth interface.

The “Meterbox Pro” app is available in app stores for connection to mobile devices.

Automatic power off

The automatic power off function switches the meter off after 30 minutes. To switch on again, turn the rotary switch to the “OFF” position and then back to the desired measuring function.

Disable function

When the meter is switched off, hold down the MODE key and switch on the meter with the rotary switch.
The display shows “APO d”.
Release the MODE key.
The function is active until manual power off. The icon is hidden.

Maintenance and cleaning

Disconnect the meter from electrical circuits for maintenance and cleaning. Remove the test leads or temperature probes from the meter.
If you do not use the instrument for more than 60 days, remove the batteries.

Cleaning

Wipe the meter regularly with a damp cloth.

Battery replacement

Battery indicator
Replace the battery as soon as the icon appears.

Replacing the battery

Loosen the screw of the battery compartment cover.
Open the battery compartment and remove the used battery.
Connect a new battery (9 V block), observing correct polarity.
Close the battery compartment and fasten the locking screw.

Fuse replacement

Loosen the screw of the battery compartment cover.
Open the battery compartment and replace the defective fuse. (500 mA, 660 V, fastacting)
Close the battery compartment and fasten the locking screw.

Warranty

You can read our warranty terms in our General Business Terms which you can find here:
https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/terms.

Disposal

For the disposal of batteries in the EU, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to collection points designed for that purpose.

In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.

For countries outside the EU, batteries and devices should be disposed of in accordance with your local waste regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

PCE Instruments contact information

Germany
PCE Deutschland GmbH
Im Langel 26
D-59872 Meschede
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 (0) 2903 976 99 0
Fax: +49 (0) 2903 976 99 29
info@pce-instruments.com
www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch

United Kingdom
PCE Instruments UK Ltd
Unit 11 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
Hampshire
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 98703 0
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 98703 9
info@pce-instruments.co.uk
www.pce-instruments.com/english