Sonel C-5A Current clamp User Manual

: June 9, 2024
: Sonel

Table of Contents

Sonel C-5A Current clamp
Description
Safety
Operation
Replacing batteries
Cleaning and maintenance
Reference conditions
Technical data
Additional errors
Manufacturer
References
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Sonel C-5A Current clamp

Description

The C-5A clamp is used to measure AC and DC currents without breaking the circuit with flow-ing current. The measuring range is up to 1400 A for DC and up to 1000 A for AC. The output voltage is proportional to the measured current. The clamp has one measuring range of 1000 A, with a sensitivity of 1 mV/A, zero adjust-ment knob and a LED indicating power supply. The output signal is conducted by a cable (2.2 m) ended with a pin adapted to the socket on the meter.
The arrow marked on one of the clamps indi-cates the direction of current flow. It is as-sumed that the current flows in the positive direc-tion if it flows from the source to the receiver. This orientation of clamps is required for the correct power measurement.

Safety

NOTE!
Do not expose the clamp to water.

Overloads

direct current (DC) …….. up to 3000 A (continuous mode)
alternating current (AC) …………………………………………….
…………………up to 1000 A in continuous mode (f≤1 kHz)

Limiting the maximum current in continuous operation for frequencies above 1 kHz according to the ratio.

Operation

The gap (formed by the faces of the core) should be kept perfectly clean.

Turning on
Battery powered: Move the switch to the ON position. The green LED indicates correct opera-tion. The probe will turn off automatically after 10 minutes of non-use. Battery powered: Move the switch to the ON position while holding the DC ZERO button. The orange LED indicates correct operation. The probe does not turn off automatically, operating until the battery is discharged. External power supply: Connect the probe to the power supply via the USB port. The orange LED indicates correct operation. The probe will turn off after disconnecting the power supply.If after switching the LED is not lit or goes off, replace the battery.

DC zero indication correction
After making sure that the jaws are closed and no conductor is between them, connect the clamp to the meter. Press the DC ZERO button. The OL LED will be on for about 3 seconds to indicate that the correction is in progress. The OL LED will turn off if the correction is successful. The correction is saved after switching off the clamp.

Measurement
After turning the clamp on, clasp it around a conductor with the current, paying attention to the direction of the arrow on the clamp’s jaw to ensure correct measurement of power and DC components. If the measured current exceeds the measuring range of clamp, the OL diode lights up.

Replacing batteries

NOTE!
Before replacing the battery, disconnect the clamp completely from the tested system and from the meter Remove the battery cover screw and replace the battery with a new one. Reinstall the cover and fix it with the screw.

Cleaning and maintenance

NOTE!
Apply only maintenance methods specified by the manufacturer in this manual.Before cleaning, disconnect the clamp from the tested circuit and the meter. Do not spray the clamps with water. Remove the dust from the gap with a soft and dry cloth. Periodically wipe the accessible iron part of the jaws with an oil-soaked cloth to prevent possible corrosion. The clamp may be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth using all-purpose detergents. Do not use any solvents.

Dismantling and utilisation
Worn-out electric and electronic equipment should be gathered selectively, i.e. it must not be placed with waste of another kind. Worn-out electric equipment should be sent to a collection point in accordance with the law of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Before the equipment is sent to a collection point, do not dismantle any elements. Observe the local regulations concerning dis-posal of packages.

Reference conditions

temperature ………………………………………….. +18…+28°C
relative humidity …………………………………………. 20…75%
conductor …………………………………….. centred in the jaws
current …………………………………… DC to sinusoidal 65 Hz
permanent magnetic field …. <40 A/m (Earth’s magnetic field)
variable, external magnetic field …………………………. none

Technical data

Basic technical data

AC/DC current range	Accuracy 1)
0.5…100 A	±(2% + 1.5 A)
100…800 A	±2.5%
800…1000 A	±4%
1000…1400 A DC	±5%

as % of the measured value

AC current range	Frequency	Max. phase error
3…200 A	45 Hz…65 Hz	-2°
200…1000 A	-1.5°

frequency range …………………………………………….. DC…5 kHz
output level ……………………………………………………… 1 mV/1 A
output impedance ………………………………………………… 215 Ω

When using the coil with a SONEL meter, total measurement accuracy of the measuring system of the meter and clamp is specified in the manual of a given meter. It is not the sum of the accuracy of the meter and accuracy of the clamp.