KPS PA420 Mini Digital Clamp Meter Instruction Manual

August 3, 2024
KPS

KPS PA420 Mini Digital Clamp Meter

Product Information

Specifications

  • Model: PA420
  • Power Supply: AC
  • Ground Terminal: Yes

Product Usage Instructions

  • Ensure the device is disconnected from any power source before proceeding.
  • Connect the ground terminal to a suitable grounding point following local regulations.
  • Remove any capacitors from the test circuit to avoid interference.
  • Insert the red test cable into the INPUT jack and connect the device to the circuit being measured.

FAQ

  • Q: Can the PA420 measure capacitors?
  • A: The PA420 can measure capacitors, but it is recommended to remove them from the circuit during testing for accurate results.
  • Q: What type of current does the PA420 support?
  • A: The PA420 is designed for alternating current (AC) measurements.

Introduction

WARNING
Make sure to read and follow all safety procedures to avoid electric shock and/or injury.

The PA420 is a safe, reliable, yet small handheld 3 ½ digit digital clamp meter. Capable of measuring AC, AC/DC voltage, resistance, diode’s forward voltage drop, and continuity, it’s ideal for both home users and professionals.

Safety Instructions

  • The PA420 meets EN61010-1 safety requirements for electrical testing instruments and handheld digital multimeters. It’s designed to comply with EN61010-1 with a CAT III 600V safety rating and pollution degree of 2.
  • All safety guidelines outlined should be followed otherwise the protection provided by the instrument may be impaired.
  • Warning symbols in the manual alert users of potentially dangerous situations.
  • Precautions are to prevent the user from damaging the instrument or the test object.

Precautions

To avoid possible electric shock, personal injury or damage to the meter, please observe the following:

  1. Before using the meter, check the meter for damage during transport.

  2. Check the test leads for damage to the insulation or wires before use.

  3. Ensure the meter works properly by testing a known voltage first. If not working properly, have the meter serviced before using.

  4. Never exceed the protection limit values indicated in the specifications for each range of measurement.

  5. Always use caution when making voltage measurements above 60V dc or 30V ac rms.

  6. Make sure to use the correct input jack, function and range when measuring.

  7. Do not place the meter in any environment with dust, explosive gas or vapor.

  8. Always keep your fingers behind the probe barriers.

  9. Connect the common test lead first, then the hot lead.
    Disconnect in reverse order.

  10. Turn off power and discharge capacitors before measuring resistance, diodes or continuity.

  11. Failure to follow safety guidelines may prevent the meter’s built-in protection from working properly.

  12. To avoid damage or incorrect readings, check for AC voltage present before making DC voltage measurements.

  13. Do not use the meter with the battery cover not securely in place.

  14. When the “ “symbol appears, replace the batteries to avoid incorrect readings

  15. Before opening the case, always disconnect test leads from all energized circuits.

  16. Only use the test leads provided with the meter.
    Replace only with similar leads with matching specifications.

  17. Do not touch input jacks during measurement to avoid electric shock.

  18. Before switching functions, remove test leads from a circuit.

Safety Symbols

  • CAT III: MEASUREMENT CATEGORY III is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected to the distribution part of the building’s low-voltage MAINS installation.
  • CAT II : MEASUREMENT CATEGORY II is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected directly to utilization points (socket outlets and similar points) of the low-voltage MAINS installation.
  • CAT IV : MEASUREMENT CATEGORY IV is applicable to test and measuring circuits connected at the source of the building’s low-voltage MAINS installation.

Description

Front Panel

  1. Current Clamp
    For measuring AC current.

  2. Safety barrier
    Helps to keep hands from touching conductors while measuring current.

  3. Rotary Switch
    Used to select function and range.

  4. Display
    Max. display value: 1999

  5. Input Jack
    Connection for the live (red) test lead for voltage, resistance, diodes, and continuity.

  6. COM Jack
    Connection for the common (black) test lead.

  7. Hold Button
    Press the “HOLD” button and the display will keep the reading on the screen. The” “symbol appears on the display. Press the “HOLD” button again to return the display to normal.

  8. Clamp Trigger
    Press the trigger to open the clamp jaw; release to close.

Display

Using the Meter

Data Hold

The data hold function will keep the current reading on the display. To activate data hold:

  1. Press the “HOLD” button and the reading will be held on the display. The” “symbol appears.
  2. Press “HOLD” again to release the hold.

DC Voltage

  1. Insert the red test lead in the “INPUT” jack and the black lead in the “COM” jack.

  2. Move the rotary switch to the” “position.
    Connect the test leads across the circuit or load to be measured.

  3. Read measured voltage on the display.

CAUTION
Use extra caution when measuring high voltages to avoid electric shock or damage.
WARNING
Do not attempt to measure voltages above 600V DC to prevent injury or damage to the meter.

AC Voltage

  1. Insert the red test lead in the “INPUT” jack and the black lead in the “COM” jack.

  2. Move the rotary switch to the “ ” position.
    Connect the test leads across the circuit or load to be measured.

  3. Read measured voltage on the display.

CAUTION
Use extra caution when measuring high voltages to avoid electric shock or damage.
WARNING
Do not attempt to measure voltages above 600V AC to prevent injury or damage to the meter.

AC Current

  1. Move the rotary switch to the position with the proper range.
  2. Press the trigger to open the clamp and insert one conductor inside the jaws. Only clamp one conductor; multiple conductors with different current directions will cancel out readings.
  3. Read measured current on the display.

CAUTION

  1. If the current range is not known beforehand, set the range to the highest range and adjust down as necessary.
  2. When measuring bare wires, use extra caution to avoid electric shock.

Resistance

  1. Turn off all power and discharge capacitors on the circuit under test.
  2. Insert the red test lead in the “INPUT” jack and the black lead in the “COM” jack.
  3. Move the rotary switch to the position. Connect the test leads across the circuit to be measured.
  4. Read measured resistance on the display.

Tips for measuring resistance

  • Sometimes the resistor value and measured resistance differ. This is due to the meter’s output test current goes through all possible paths between leads.
  • For low resistance measurements, short the test leads and record the resistance displayed. Then connect to the circuit and subtract the recorded resistance from the measurement for the most accurate results.

WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the meter, make sure to turn off all power and discharge all capacitors before measuring resistance.

Continuity

  1. Turn off all power and discharge capacitors on the circuit under test.
  2. Insert the red test lead in the “INPUT” jack and the black lead in the “COM” jack.
  3. Move the rotary switch to the position. Connect the test leads across the circuit to be measured.
  4. Read measured resistance on the display. If the measured resistance is less than 700, the meter’s buzzer will sound.

WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the meter, make sure to turn off all power and discharge all capacitors before measuring continuity.

Diode Test

  1. Turn off all power and discharge capacitors on the circuit under test.
  2. Insert the red test lead in the “INPUT” jack and the
  3. Move the lee rotary switch to a position. Connect the test leads across the circuit to be measured.
  4. Read the measured forward-biased voltage drop on the display. If the leads are reversed, only “1” is displayed.

WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the meter, make sure to turn off all power and discharge all capacitors before measuring diodes.

Specifications

General Specifications

  • Safety rating: CAT Ill 600V, pollution degree 2
  • Max. operating altitude: 2000m
  • Operating temperature: 0~40°C, <80% RH
  • Storage temperature: – 10~60°C, <70% RH (battery removed)
  • Temperature coefficient: 0.1 accuracy/°C (<18°C or > 28°C)
  • Max. voltage between terminals and ground: 600V DC or AC rms
  • Sample rate: approx. 3 times/sec
  • Display: 3 ½ digit LCD (max. display: 1999)
  • Over-range indication: display only shows “”
  • Low battery indication: when battery voltage drops below operating voltage, “ symbol appears on the display
  • Polarity indication: automatically displays “-“
  • Power: 3x 1.5V AAA batteries
  • Dimensions: 198mmX79mmX38mm
  • Weight: approx. 194g (with battery)
  • Max. jaw opening: 26mm

Technical Specifications

  • Accuracy: (% of reading + digits), 1-year warranty.
  • Ambient temp: 18°C~28°C, humidity: <75%.
  • Temperature coefficient: 0.1 accuracy/°C (0°C-18°C or 28°C~40°C)

For AC measurement, keep the conductor in the center of the clamp; otherwise, the reading can deviate as much as 1.5% of the actual measurement.

DC Voltage

Range Resolution Accuracy
600V 1V ±(1.0% reading +3 dgt)
  • Input impedance: 10M
  • Overload protection: 600V DC or AC rms
  • Max. input voltage: 600V DC

AC Voltage

Range Resolution Accuracy
600V 1V ±(1.5% reading +10 dgt)
  • Input impedance: 10M
  • Overload protection: 600V DC or AC rms
  • Max. input voltage: 600V AC rms
  • Frequency range: 50Hz~60Hz
  • Response: Average; calibrated to rms sine wave

AC Current

Range Resolution Accuracy
2A 0.001A ±(2.0% reading +10 dgt)
20A 0.01A
400A 1A ±(2.0% reading +5 dgt)
  • Frequency range: 50Hz~60Hz
  • Max. input current: up to 120% of full scale for no more than 60 seconds.
  • Response: Average; calibrated to rms sine wave.

Resistance

Range Resolution Accuracy
2k 1 ±(1.0% reading +5 dgt)
  • Open circuit voltage: approx. 2.0V
  • Overload protection: 250V DC or AC rms

Diode Test

Range Resolution Function
0.001V Shows approx. forward biased voltage drop

Continuity

Range Function
If the measured resistance is less than 700, the meter’s buzzer will sound.
  • Open circuit voltage: approx. 2.7V
  • Overload protection: 250V DC or AC rms

Maintenance

WARNING
Protection impairment if used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer.

General Maintenance
This section provides basic maintenance principles, including cleaning and battery replacement. Do not attempt to do any repair or calibration to the meter unless you are experienced maintenance personnel.
WARNING
Remove test leads from the meter before opening the battery cover to avoid damage or injury.
Use a damp cloth and a small amount of detergent to clean the meter regularly. Do not use abrasives or chemical solvents. Dirty or wet input jacks can affect readings.

To clean the input jacks

  1. Turn off the meter and remove the test leads.
  2. Wipe any debris off input jacks.
  3. Use a cotton swab with a cleaner/lubricant (i.e. WD-40) to clean jacks.
  4. Use a new swab for each jack to prevent cross-contamination.

Replacing The Batteries

WARNING
To avoid electric shock, make sure that the test leads have been clearly moving away from the circuit under measurement before opening the battery cover of the meter.
WARNING
Do not mix old and new batteries. Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or rechargeable (ni-cad, ni-mh, etc) batteries.

  1. If the sign “ ” appears, it means that the batteries should be replaced.
  2. Loosen the fixing screw of the battery cover and remove it.
  3. Replace the exhausted batteries with new ones.
  4. Put the battery cover back and fix it again to its original form.

Note
Do not reverse the polarity of the batteries.
Replacing Test Leads Replace test leads if leads become damaged or worn.
WARNING
Use meet EN 61010-031 standard, rated CAT III 600V, or better test leads.

Accessories

User’s manual 1 piece
Test leads 1 pair
Case 1 piece
AAA batteries (1.5V) 3 pieces

CONTACT

KPS EUMAN S.L.

  • Parque Empresarial de Argame,
  • C/Picu Castiellu, Parcelas i-1 a i-4
  • E-33163 Argame, Morcin
  • Asturias, España, (Spain)

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