AEMC 6416 Installation and operating instructions
99-MAN 100456
Technical Assistance (800) 343-1391 www.aemc.com
Clamp-On Ground Resistance Tester
Model 6416
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
Clamp-On Ground Resistance Tester
Model 6416
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
1. Turninstrumentonbyrotatingtheselectorknobtothe“Ω+A”
position.
2. Allowinstrumenttobootupandbeginbeepingwith0RΩdisplayed
on screen.
3. Checkcalibration—locatethe5Ωcalibrationgaugesuppliedwith
thetesterandclampthemeteraroundanylegofthegauge.
4. Observeinstrumentreading–thereadingshouldbewithin0.2Ωof
gaugespecification(5Ω).Ifreadingiscorrectproceedtostep5.
Ifnot,cleaninstrumentandrepeatsteps3and4.If you are not
able to get the instrument to read within 0.2Ω after cleaning
instrument, do not proceed.Havetheinstrumentrepaired.
5. Removeinstrumentfromgauge.Observeinstrumentreadingwith
nothingintheclamps.Thereadingshouldbe0RΩ
Ifthisconditionisobserved,continuetostep6.If
not,cleaninstrument(seeinstructionsbelow)and
repeatsteps3through5.If,aftercleaninginstru-
ment,youarestillunabletogettheinstrumentto
performasdescribedinsteps4and5,openthe
jawsapproximately1/2inchandletthemsnap
shut.Makesurethatthejawscloseproperly.If
the unit still does not perform properly, do not
proceed.Havetheinstrumentrepaired.
6. SwitchinstrumenttoCurrentMode.(Rotate
selectorswitchtothe“A”positionforAmps)
7. Clampinstrumentaroundthegroundwireorrod.
8. Observereading–iflessthan1.0A,proceedtostep9.Ifbetween1.0and5.0A,
makenoteofreadingandcontinuetostep9.Ifgreaterthan5A,terminatetestand
removeinstrumentfromthegroundwireorrodandcorrecttheproblembefore
re-testing.
9. SwitchinstrumenttoResistance(Ω+A)mode.(Rotateselectorswitchtothe“Ω+A”
position)
10.Waitforreadingtostabilizeandrecordreading.Lockreadingonthedisplayby
pressing“HOLD”.
11.Removeinstrumentfromgroundwireorrodandre-clamptogauge.
12.Observereading–thereadingshouldbewithin0.2Ωofgaugevalue.Ifreadingis
OK–measurementisvalid.Ifreadingiswrong,cleaninstrument(seeinstructions
below)andrepeatfromstep4.
1. Turninstrumentonbyrotatingtheselectorknobtothe“Ω+A”
position.
2. Allowinstrumenttobootupandbeginbeepingwith0RΩdisplayed
on screen.
3. Checkcalibration—locatethe5Ωcalibrationgaugesuppliedwith
thetesterandclampthemeteraroundanylegofthegauge.
4. Observeinstrumentreading–thereadingshouldbewithin0.2Ωof
gaugespecification(5Ω).Ifreadingiscorrectproceedtostep5.
Ifnot,cleaninstrumentandrepeatsteps3and4.If you are not
able to get the instrument to read within 0.2Ω after cleaning
instrument, do not proceed.Havetheinstrumentrepaired.
5. Removeinstrumentfromgauge.Observeinstrumentreadingwith
nothingintheclamps.Thereadingshouldbe0RΩ
Ifthisconditionisobserved,continuetostep6.If
not,cleaninstrument(seeinstructionsbelow)and
repeatsteps3through5.If,aftercleaninginstru-
ment,youarestillunabletogettheinstrumentto
performasdescribedinsteps4and5,openthe
jawsapproximately1/2inchandletthemsnap
shut.Makesurethatthejawscloseproperly.If
the unit still does not perform properly, do not
proceed.Havetheinstrumentrepaired.
6. SwitchinstrumenttoCurrentMode.(Rotate
selectorswitchtothe“A”positionforAmps)
7. Clampinstrumentaroundthegroundwireorrod.
8. Observereading–iflessthan1.0A,proceedtostep9.Ifbetween1.0and5.0A,
makenoteofreadingandcontinuetostep9.Ifgreaterthan5A,terminatetestand
removeinstrumentfromthegroundwireorrodandcorrecttheproblembefore
re-testing.
9. SwitchinstrumenttoResistance(Ω+A)mode.(Rotateselectorswitchtothe“Ω+A”
position)
10.Waitforreadingtostabilizeandrecordreading.Lockreadingonthedisplayby
pressing“HOLD”.
11.Removeinstrumentfromgroundwireorrodandre-clamptogauge.
12.Observereading–thereadingshouldbewithin0.2Ωofgaugevalue.Ifreadingis
OK–measurementisvalid.Ifreadingiswrong,cleaninstrument(seeinstructions
below)andrepeatfromstep4.
Cleaning the Heads
To ensure optimum performance, it is important to keep the probe jaw mating surfaces clean at all times.
Failure to do so may result in erroneous readings. To clean the probe jaws, use a lint free cloth or, if the
jaws are pitted, use a very fine sandpaper (600 grit) to avoid scratching the surface, then gently clean with
a soft cloth. Make sure that the instrument is oriented such that no debris or filings will fall into the unit while
cleaning. Check with your finger afterwards to be sure that no foreign material remains on the jaw surfaces
(both top and bottom).
Cleaning the Heads
To ensure optimum performance, it is important to keep the probe jaw mating surfaces clean at all times.
Failure to do so may result in erroneous readings. To clean the probe jaws, use a lint free cloth or, if the
jaws are pitted, use a very fine sandpaper (600 grit) to avoid scratching the surface, then gently clean with
a soft cloth. Make sure that the instrument is oriented such that no debris or filings will fall into the unit while
cleaning. Check with your finger afterwards to be sure that no foreign material remains on the jaw surfaces
(both top and bottom).
Step 3 Step 3
99-MAN 100456
Technical Assistance (800) 343-1391 www.aemc.com
Technical Assistance (800) 343-1391 www.aemc.com Technical Assistance (800) 343-1391 www.aemc.com
Theclamp-ongroundresistancetestingtechniqueofferstheabilitytomeasuretheresistancewithout
disconnectingtheground.Thistypeofmeasurementalsoofferstheadvantageofincludingthebondingto
groundandtheoverallgroundingconnectionresistances.
Principles of Operation
Usually,acommondistributionlinegroundedsystemcanbesimulatedasasimplebasiccircuitasshownin
FigureAoranequivalentcircuit,showninFigureB.IfvoltageEisappliedtoanymeasuredgroundingsystem.
Rxthroughaspecialtransformer,currentIflowsthroughthecircuit.
Therefore,E/I=Rxisestablished.IfitisdetectedwithEkeptconstant,measuredgroundingresistancecanbe
obtained.ReferagaintoFiguresAandB.Currentisfedtoaspecialtransformerviaapoweramplifierfroma
2083Hzconstantvoltageoscillator.ThiscurrentisdetectedbyadetectionCT.Onlythe2083Hzsignalfre-
quencyisamplifiedbyafilteramplifier.ThisoccursbeforetheA/Dconversionandaftersynchronousrectifica-
tion.ItisthendisplayedonthescreenoftheModel6416meter.
Thefilteramplifierisusedtocutoffbothearthcurrentatcommercialfrequencyandhigh-frequencynoise.
VoltageisdetectedbycoilswoundaroundtheinjectionCT,whichisthenamplified,rectified,andcomparedby
alevelcomparator.Iftheclampisnotclosedproperly,an“openjaw”annunciatorappearsonthedisplay.
E
I
RxR1R2Rn-1 Rn
FIGURE A
E
I
R
xR1R2Rn-1 Rn
FIGURE B
Theclamp-ongroundresistancetestingtechniqueofferstheabilitytomeasuretheresistancewithout
disconnectingtheground.Thistypeofmeasurementalsoofferstheadvantageofincludingthebondingto
groundandtheoverallgroundingconnectionresistances.
Principles of Operation
Usually,acommondistributionlinegroundedsystemcanbesimulatedasasimplebasiccircuitasshownin
FigureAoranequivalentcircuit,showninFigureB.IfvoltageEisappliedtoanymeasuredgroundingsystem.
Rxthroughaspecialtransformer,currentIflowsthroughthecircuit.
Therefore,E/I=Rxisestablished.IfitisdetectedwithEkeptconstant,measuredgroundingresistancecanbe
obtained.ReferagaintoFiguresAandB.Currentisfedtoaspecialtransformerviaapoweramplifierfroma
2083Hzconstantvoltageoscillator.ThiscurrentisdetectedbyadetectionCT.Onlythe2083Hzsignalfre-
quencyisamplifiedbyafilteramplifier.ThisoccursbeforetheA/Dconversionandaftersynchronousrectifica-
tion.ItisthendisplayedonthescreenoftheModel6416meter.
Thefilteramplifierisusedtocutoffbothearthcurrentatcommercialfrequencyandhigh-frequencynoise.
VoltageisdetectedbycoilswoundaroundtheinjectionCT,whichisthenamplified,rectified,andcomparedby
alevelcomparator.Iftheclampisnotclosedproperly,an“openjaw”annunciatorappearsonthedisplay.
E
I
RxR1R2Rn-1 Rn
FIGURE A
E
I
R
xR1R2Rn-1 Rn
FIGURE B
The important points to consider for proper use of the clamp-on ground tester are:
1. There is a series-parallel resistance path down stream from the measurement point that is lower
in resistance than the point being measured.
2. That the earth is the return path to the point where the clamp-on meter is connected and not wire
or other metal structures (see Figure C).
3. If the measurement point is not connected to a series-parallel low resistance network (such as
the case with a single rod), a temporary path may be created by connecting a jumper cable from
the measurement point to a low resistance like a pole ground (see Figure D).
The important points to consider for proper use of the clamp-on ground tester are:
1. There is a series-parallel resistance path down stream from the measurement point that is lower
in resistance than the point being measured.
2. That the earth is the return path to the point where the clamp-on meter is connected and not wire
or other metal structures (see Figure C).
3. If the measurement point is not connected to a series-parallel low resistance network (such as
the case with a single rod), a temporary path may be created by connecting a jumper cable from
the measurement point to a low resistance like a pole ground (see Figure D).
Clamp-On Ground Resistance Testing Clamp-On Ground Resistance Testing
FIGURE C FIGURE D FIGURE C FIGURE D
Interpretation of Readings:
0.00-0.10 Local“GroundLoop”mostlikelypresent.Alsoindicatestheconductorisbondedtootherelectricpaths.This
readingcannotbeusedtojudgethequalityofthepathtoearth.
0.10-5.0 MostlikelyaLocalGroundLoopbutalsocouldindicateaVERYgoodgroundpathtoearth.
5.0-25 GroundResistanceValueofasinglelocalrod.HigherreadingmightindicateapoorBONDisalsopresent.
25-OL ReadingsinthisrangeareanindicationofaPOORpathtoearthAND/ORaVERYPOORbond.
OLindicatesthelackofanybondtoearth.
Interpretation of Readings:
0.00-0.10 Local“GroundLoop”mostlikelypresent.Alsoindicatestheconductorisbondedtootherelectricpaths.This
readingcannotbeusedtojudgethequalityofthepathtoearth.
0.10-5.0 MostlikelyaLocalGroundLoopbutalsocouldindicateaVERYgoodgroundpathtoearth.
5.0-25 GroundResistanceValueofasinglelocalrod.HigherreadingmightindicateapoorBONDisalsopresent.
25-OL ReadingsinthisrangeareanindicationofaPOORpathtoearthAND/ORaVERYPOORbond.
OLindicatesthelackofanybondtoearth.
Other manuals for 6416
3
Other AEMC Test Equipment manuals
Popular Test Equipment manuals by other brands
Etec
Etec SPOTWASH E3048 manual
Unit
Unit MSO2000 Series quick start guide
B+K precision
B+K precision TL89S1 Data Sheet and User Guide
Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd.
Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments Works, Ltd. KEW MEG 3161A instruction manual
Delta OHM
Delta OHM HD2024 operating manual
I-Tech
I-Tech IT8500plus Series user manual
