AEMC 6422 User manual

ENGLISH
User Manual
■
GROUND TESTER
6422
6424

2Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
Statement of Compliance
Chauvin Arnoux®, Inc. d.b.a. AEMC®Instruments
certifies that this instrument has been calibrated using
standards and instruments traceable to international
standards.
We guarantee that at the time of shipping your
instrument has met its published specifications.
An N.I.S.T. traceable certificate may be requested at
the time of purchase, or obtained by returning the
instrument to our repair and calibration facility, for a
nominal charge.
The recommended calibration interval for this
instrument is 12 months and begins on the date of
receipt by the customer. For recalibration, please use
our calibration services. Refer to our repair and
calibration section at www.aemc.com.
Serial #:
Catalog #:
Model #: 6422 / 6424
Please fill in the appropriate date as indicated:
Date Received:
Date Calibration Due:
Chauvin Arnoux®, Inc.
d.b.a AEMC®Instruments
www.aemc.com

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 3
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 8
1.1. Battery Installation ......................................................................... 8
1.2. Battery Charging (Model 6424) .................................................... 10
1.3. Desktop Stand ............................................................................. 11
1.4. Instrument Interface..................................................................... 11
1.5. Instrument Functions ................................................................... 13
1.6. Buttons and Keys......................................................................... 13
1.7. LCD Display................................................................................. 15
2. OPERATION............................................................................... 16
2.1. Voltage Measurement.................................................................. 16
2.2. Resistance Measurement (2P) .................................................... 17
2.3. Grounding Resistance Measurement (3P) ................................... 20
2.4. AC Current Measurement (Model 6424)...................................... 30
3. SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................... 32
3.1. General Reference Conditions..................................................... 32
3.2. Electrical Specifications ............................................................... 32
3.3. Influences ..................................................................................... 24
3.4. Uncertainty................................................................................... 36
3.5. Environmental Conditions ............................................................ 37
3.6. Power Supply............................................................................... 37
3.7. Mechanical Specifications............................................................ 38
3.8. International Standards................................................................ 38
3.9. Electromagnetic Compatibility (CEM) .......................................... 38
4. MAINTENANCE ......................................................................... 39
4.1. Cleaning....................................................................................... 39
4.2. Replacing the batteries ................................................................ 39
REPAIR AND CALIBRATION.............................................................. 40
TECHNICAL AND SALES ASSISTANCE ............................................. 40
LIMITED WARRANTY........................................................................ 41

4Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
Thank you for purchasing the AEMC Ground Tester Model 6422 or 6424. For
best results from your instrument and for your safety, read the enclosed
operating instructions carefully and comply with the precautions for use. These
products must be only used by qualified and trained users.
WARNING, risk of DANGER! The operator must refer to these
instructions whenever this danger symbol appears.
CAUTION! Risk of electric shock. The voltage at the parts marked
with this symbol may be dangerous.
Useful information or tip.
Earth/ground.
Current clamp.
The product is declared recyclable following a life cycle analysis in
accordance with standard ISO 14040.
Battery.
Guarantees conformity with European directives and with
regulations covering EMC.
In the European Union, the product must undergo selective disposal
for the recycling of electric and electronic material, in compliance with
Directive WEEE 2002/96/EC.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 5
Precautions
This instrument is compliant with safety standard IEC 61010-2-030 for voltages
up to 600V in category IV. Do not use the instrument for measurements on
circuits that are not in measurement categories II, III, or IV or that might be
connected inadvertently to circuits that are not in measurement categories II, III,
or IV.
The operator and/or the responsible authority must carefully read and
clearly understand the various precautions to be taken in use. Sound
knowledge and a keen awareness of electrical hazards are essential
when using thisinstrument.
If you use this instrument other than as specified, the protection it
provides may be compromised, thereby endangeringyou.
Do not use the instrument on networks of which the voltage or category
exceeds those mentioned.
Do not use the instrument if it seems to be damaged, incomplete, or
poorly closed.
Before each use, check the condition of the insulation on the leads,
housing, and accessories. Any item of which the insulation is
deteriorated (even partially) must be set aside for repair or scrapping.
Before using your instrument, check that it is perfectly dry. If it is wet, it
must be thoroughly dried before it can be connected or used.
The use of leads (or accessories) of a lower voltage or category limits the
voltage or category of the combined instrument and leads (or
accessories) to that of the leads (or accessories).
Use personal protection equipment systematically.
When handling the leads, test probes, and alligator clips, keep your
fingers behind the physical guard.
All troubleshooting and metrological checks must be performed by
competent and accredited personnel.
Definition of Measurement Categories (CAT)
CAT IV Measurement category IV corresponds to measurements taken at the
source of low-voltage installations.
Example: power feeders, counters and protection devices.
CAT III Measurement category III corresponds to measurements on building
installations.
Example: distribution panel, circuit-breakers, machines or fixed
industrial devices.
CAT II Measurement category II corresponds to measurements taken
on circuits directly connected to low-voltageinstallations.
Example: power supply to domestic electrical appliances and
portable tools.

6Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
Receiving Your Shipment
Upon receiving your shipment, make sure that the contents are consistent with
the packing list. Notify your distributor of any missing items. If the equipment
appears to be damaged, file a claim immediately with the carrier and notify your
distributor at once, giving a detailed description of any damage. Save the
damaged packing container to substantiate your claim.
Ordering Information
Ground Tester Model 6422…………………..…….……...............Cat. #2135.55
Includes 6 AA alkaline batteries, carrying bag and user manual
Ground Tester Model 6422 Kit-150 ft …………………..….......... Cat. #2135.56
Includes ground tester, two 150 ft color-coded leads on spools (red/blue),
one 30 ft lead (green), two T-shaped auxiliary ground electrodes, set of two
5 ft color-coded (red/blue) leads, one 100 ft AEMC®tape measure, 6 AA
batteries, carrying bag and user manual
Ground Tester Model 6424…………………..…….……...............Cat. #2135.57
Includes 6 AA rechargeable NiMH batteries, USB to wall charger, 5V, 2A,
USB charger cable, carrying bag and user manual
Ground Tester Model 6424 Kit-150 ft …………………..….......... Cat. #2135.58
Includes ground tester, two 150 ft color-coded leads on spools (red/blue), one
30 ft lead (green), two T-shaped auxiliary ground electrodes, set of two 5 ft
color-coded (red/blue) leads, one 100 ft AEMC®tape measure, 6 AA
rechargeable NiMH batteries, USB to wall charger, 5V, 2A, USB charger
cable, carrying bag and user manual
Ground Tester Model 6424 Kit-300 ft …………………..….......... Cat. #2135.59
Includes ground tester, two 300 ft color-coded leads on spools (red/blue), two
100 ft color-coded leads (hand-tied, green/black), four T-shaped auxiliary
ground electrodes, set of two 5 ft color-coded (red/blue) leads, one 100 ft
AEMC®tape measure, 6 AA rechargeable NiMH batteries, USB to wall
charger, 5V, 2A, USB charger cable, carrying bag and user manual
Accessories
Ground Rod – Set of 2, 17” stainless steel T-shaped
auxiliary rods ………………..……………………………….......... Cat. #2135.44
AC Current Probe Model MN72 for use with Model 6424 only... Cat. #2153.06
Calibration checker for ground tester models 6422/6424…….… Cat. #5000.92

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 7
Replacement Parts
Bag – Multi-purpose large canvas bag
(replacement for ground kits) …………..………..…….….......... Cat. #2119.82
Case – Replacement carrying case for Models 3620, 3640,
4600, 4610, AN1, 6422, 6424, 6501 & 6503…………….……...Cat. #2126.71
Tape measure – AEMC®100 ft ………………………….……..… Cat. #2130.60
Test Kit for 3-Point Testing ………………………………….…..…Cat. #2135.35
Includes two 150 ft color-coded leads on spools (red/blue), one 30 ft lead
(green), two T-shaped auxiliary ground electrodes, set of two 5 ft color-
coded (red/blue) leads, one 100 ft AEMC®tape measure, and carrying bag
Ground Rod – Set of 2, 14.5” T-shaped auxiliary rods …..…..…Cat. #2135.39
Cable – Replacement USB charger cable w/wall plug
for Model 6424 ……………………………………………….…..… Cat. #2135.93

8Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Battery Installation
1. Open the battery compartment cover.
2. With your fingers on either side of the cover, insert a tool (for example a
screwdriver) in the latching system, and lift up.
3. Remove the battery compartment cover.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 9
4. Pull open the rubber seal covering the battery compartment.
5. Insert the batteries, ensuring correct polarities. We recommend
disposable batteries for the Model 6422 (for example alkaline) and
rechargeable batteries for the Model 6424. The Model 6422 comes with
alkaline batteries installed, and the Model 6424 with rechargeable
batteries installed.
6. Press the rubber seal back in place, ensuring it correctly covers the
compartment.
7. Replace the battery compartment cover.
If you insert disposable batteries in the Model 6424, the batteries will
last longer but the battery level indicator will be inaccurate.
If you insert rechargeable batteries in the Model 6422, the battery level
indicator will always display low battery level and the batteries
will not last as long.

10 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
1.2 Battery Charging (Model 6424)
Before using the Model 6424 for the first time, you should fully charge the
battery. Charging must be done in a location with the temperature between 32
and 104°F (0 and 40°C).
Do not perform the charging procedure if disposable batteries are
installed in the instrument.
1. Connect one end of the provided USB cable to the Model 6424 terminal
block and the other end to a wall outlet using the provided external-
power-to-USB adapter.
2. The instrument displays CHrG. While the battery charges, the battery
level indicator displays progress. Full charging requires approximately 6
hours.
3. When the battery level indicator shows full charge disconnect the
USB cable from the instrument.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 11
1.3 Desktop Stand
The instrument is equipped with two back supports that enable desktop operation
from an angled position. Pull the supports out to lock them in place, then place
the instrument on a flat surface.
1.4 Instrument Interface
1.4.1 Model 6422
Terminal block:
3 measurement
terminals
Hazardous
voltage indicator
Backlit LCD display
TEST button
ON/OFF button

12 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
1.4.2 Model 6424
Terminal block
Battery charger
input
Connector for optional
MN72 AC Current Probe
Measurement terminals
Hazardous voltage indicator
Backlit LCD display
ON/OFF button
Function keys
TEST button
Measurement data storage location

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 13
1.5 Instrument Functions
The Models 6422 and 6424 are battery-powered portable measuring instruments
with LCD displays.
These instruments check the safety of electrical installations. They can be used
to test a new installation before it is powered up. They can also check an existing
installation (after it has been disconnected) or diagnose a malfunction in an
installation.
Function 6422 6424
Ground resistance measurement (with three rods)
Voltage measurement
Resistance measurement
Average of ground measurements at 52, 62, and 72%
RHover limit detection
REover limit detection
Stray or foreign voltage on USE detection
AC current measurement with current clamp
(optional)
1.6 Buttons and Keys
Both models:
Buttons Function
Long press (>2 seconds) turns instrument ON.
Second long press turns instrument OFF.
TEST
Short press starts ground measurements in automatic mode
(§2.3.3).
Long press starts ground measurements in permanent mode.
Pressing TEST during a measurement stops the
measurement (§2.3.5).
At the end of the measurement, pressing TEST exits the frozen
measurement display.
+ TEST
Pressing and TEST simultaneously for >5 seconds while
turning ON the instrument changes the names of the H, S, E
terminals to C, P, X (§2.3.2).

14 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
Model 6424 only:
Keys Function
V/A
V/A takes voltage measurements (§2.1), or current
measurements if a current probe is connected (§2.4).
In the latter case, a second press forces voltage
measurements.
Ω
Ωtakes resistance measurements (§2.2).
Ωand TEST pressed simultaneously takes ground resistance
measurements (§2.3).
52%
0
stores the displayed measurement with the S rod at 52%
of the distance (§2.3.4).
Pressing and then activates/deactivates lead
compensation.
Pressing and then for >2 seconds compensates the
resistance of the leads for the resistance measurement
(§2.2.2).
62%
stores the displayed measurement with the S rod at 62%
of the distance (§2.3).
Pressing and then turns on backlighting for one
minute, or turns backlighting off.
72%
stores the displayed measurement with the S rod at 72%
of the distance (§2.3.4).
Pressing and then deactivates the Auto Off feature.
CLR
activates the “second” functions of the 52%, 62%, and
72% keys (§2.3).
Pressing for >2 seconds erases the values stored in
memory.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 15
1.7 LCD Display
1. Battery level indicator
Auto Off enabled/disabled
lead compensation
2. Input terminals
3. In a 3P ground measurement:
HOLD indicates measurement is frozen
AVG indicates the displayed measurement is the average of 3
measurements
%indicates the range of variation in the averaged measurements
4. Main display
5. Errors in the displayed measurement and (Model 6424) in the ground
measurement stored in memory
6. (Model 6424) additional information about the ground measurement

16 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
2. OPERATION
2.1 Voltage Measurement (Model 6424)
The Model 6424 measures the RMS (Root Mean Square) voltage up to 600VAC.
1. Turn ON the instrument by pressing for >2 seconds.
2. Press to access the voltage measurement mode. The
symbol Vappears on the right side of the LCD.
3. Connect one end of the leads to the Vand COM terminals and the other
end to the sample under test.
The measurement appears on the LCD.
If the measurement falls outside the instrument’s measurement range,
the LCD displays >700.0V.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 17
2.2 Resistance Measurement (2P)
2.2.1 Model 6422
The sample under test should not be live.
1. Turn ON the instrument by pressing for >2 seconds. The
symbol 2Pappears on the right side of the LCD.
2. Connect one end of the leads to the Ωand COM terminals and the other
end to the sample under test.
The measurement appears on the LCD.

18 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
2.2.2 Model 6424
The sample under test should be de-energized.
1. Turn ON the instrument by pressing for >2 seconds. The
symbol 2Pappears on the right side of the LCD.
2. If the Model 6424 is already ON but in voltage or current
measurement mode, press to access the resistance
measurement mode.
3. Before making measurements, perform lead compensation. This
subtracts the test lead resistance from the measurement. Connect one
end of the leads to the Ωand COM terminals and touch the other ends
together, creating a short-circuit.
4. Press the button.
5. Press for >2 seconds. The symbol blinks during the
compensation procedure. When finished, the LCD displays
00.00Ω.
If the message Err appears, the compensation procedure failed, either
because the value to be compensated exceeds 5Ω or because the
leads were disconnected during compensation.
Press to deactivate/reactivate lead compensation.

Ground Tester Models 6422/6424 19
6. Connect one end of the leads to the Ωand COM terminals and the other
end to the sample under test.
The measurement appears on the LCD.
The instrument displays the measured value minus the compensation.
The value displayed may be negative if the leads used for the
measurement are not the ones that were compensated. In this case,
repeat the compensation. Lead compensation is preserved after Auto
Off but not after the instrument is manually turned OFF.
Error messages:
>99.99kΩ: The measured value falls outside the instrument’s
measurement range.
NOISE: A stray or foreign voltage UHE > 3V is detected between the Ω
and COM terminals.
: A stray or foreign voltage UHE > 50V is detected between the Ω
and COM terminals; in this case measurement is not possible.
Note that 2P mode is useful for ensuring the H electrode connection is intact.

20 Ground Tester Models 6422/6424
2.3 Grounding Resistance (3P)
This function performs a 3-pole (3P) test to measure grounding resistance when
the electrical installation to be tested is de-energized (for example a new
installation). It uses two auxiliary rods, with the third rod being the grounding
electrode to be tested (hence the name 3P or 3-pole). To perform a 3P test, the
instrument:
1. Generates a 128Hz square wave between the H and E terminals, with
an amplitude of 10V peak. If the measurement is unstable, the test
frequency will automatically switch from 128Hz to 256Hz to improve the
measurement.
2. Measures the resulting current IHE along with the voltage between the S
and E terminals USE.
3. Calculates the value of RE= USE / IHE.
The 3P test can also be performed on an existing electrical installation, but the
power must be OFF. Whether testing a new or existing installation, the grounding
electrode system under test must be isolated from other grounding connections
during the measurement.
2.3.1 3-Point Test Theory of Operation
3-Point measurement is used to measure resistance to ground of auxiliary
ground electrodes and grids. The potential difference between rods E and S is
measured by a voltmeter, and the current flow between rods E and H is
measured by an ammeter.
By Ohm’s Law E = RI or R = E/I, we may obtain the ground electrode resistance
R.
If E = 20V and I = 1A, then:
R= E
I=20
1=20 ohms
It is not necessary to calculate all the measurements when using a ground tester.
The ground tester will measure directly by generating its own current and
displaying the resistance of the ground electrode.
This manual suits for next models
1
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