Amprobe TIC 300 PRO User manual

Users Manual
TIC 300 PRO
High Energy Tic Tracer –
Non Contact
AC Voltage Detector
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TIC 300 PRO
High Energy Tic Tracer –
Non Contact
AC Voltage Detector
Users Manual
March 2010, Rev002
©2010 Amprobe Test Tools.
All rights reserved. Printed in China
English

Limited Warranty and Limitation of Liability
Your Amprobe product will be free from defects in material
and workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase. This
warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries or damage
from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Resellers are not
authorized to extend any other warranty on Amprobe’s behalf.
To obtain service during the warranty period, return the product
with proof of purchase to an authorized Amprobe Test Tools
Service Center or to an Amprobe dealer or distributor. See Repair
Section for details. THIS WARRANTY IS YOUR ONLY REMEDY.
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES - WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR
STAUTORY - INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY, ARE HEREBY
DISCLAIMED. MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
OR LOSSES, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY. Since some
states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an
implied warranty or of incidental or consequential damages, this
limitation of liability may not apply to you.
Repair
All test tools returned for warranty or non-warranty repair or
for calibration should be accompanied by the following: your
name, company’s name, address, telephone number, and proof of
purchase. Additionally, please include a brief description of the
problem or the service requested and include the test leads with
the meter. Non-warranty repair or replacement charges should be
remitted in the form of a check, a money order, credit card with
expiration date, or a purchase order made payable to Amprobe®
Test Tools.
In-Warranty Repairs and Replacement – All Countries
Please read the warranty statement and check your battery before
requesting repair. During the warranty period any defective test
tool can be returned to your Amprobe® Test Tools distributor for
an exchange for the same or like product.

Non-Warranty Repairs and Replacement – US and Canada
Non-warranty repairs in the United States and Canada should be
sent to a Amprobe® Test Tools Service Center. Call Amprobe® Test
Tools or inquire at your point of purchase for current repair and
replacement rates.

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1) Voltage sensor
2) ON/OFF Button
3) Circuit TEST button
4) HIGH range switch
5) HIGH range LED
6) LOW range switch
7) LOW range LED
8) Battery compartment
9) HOT STICK attachment point
10) Detection Blue LEDs indicator
TIC 300 PRO

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CONTENTS
SYMBOLS..........................................................................2
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION .......................................3
INTRODUCTION ................................................................4
Features ........................................................................4
OPERATION.......................................................................5
ON / OFF Button ........................................................... 5
TEST Button.................................................................. 5
Voltage Detection ........................................................6
LOW Range................................................................... 6
HIGH Range .................................................................. 6
Locate breaks in insulated wire & heating elements .. 7
Check Outlets and Switches ........................................ 7
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ..........................................8
Battery Replacement ...................................................8
SPECIFICATION ................................................................. 9
LOW Voltage ................................................................ 10
HIGH Voltage................................................................10

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SYMBOLS
Refer to the manual
Caution Dangerous Voltage
Double insulated
Complies with EU directives
Conforms to relevant Australian standards.
Do not dispose of this product as unsorted
municipal waste.
For Use By Trained Personnel Only
Anyone using this instrument should be knowledgeable
and trained about the risks involved with measuring
medium and high voltage, especially in an industrial
setting, and the importance of taking safety precautions
and of testing the instrument before and after using it
to ensure that it is in good working condition.
WARNING and PRECAUTIONS
• Use extreme caution when testing live electrical
circuits due to risk of injury from electrical shock.
• Do not exceed the maximum overload limits
(see specifications) nor the limits marked on the
instrument itself. Never test voltage more than
122 kV ac rms.
• When using the HIGH range, the TIC 410A HOT
STICK or equivalent extension pole MUST be used.
• Comply with local and national safety
requirements.
• Use proper protective equipment as required by
local and national authorities.

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• Observe the proper safety precautions when
working with voltages above 33 VAC rms to avoid
electrical shock hazard.
• Before and after hazardous voltage measurements,
test the Tic 300 PRO by pressing the TEST button
and/or on a known source such as line voltage to
determine proper operation.
• Never ground yourself when taking measurements.
Do not touch exposed circuit elements.
• Do not operate the instrument in an explosive
atmosphere.
• Do not expose this product to rain or moisture. This
increases the risk of fire or electric shock.
• Do not rely on this tester for shielded wire.
• Do not let the unit make contact with a live line
with voltage higher than 20 kV.
• 3 phase feeder cables with conductors close to each
other may self-cancel the electric field and not be
detected by your Tic tracer. Verify that the phase
conductors are separated by at least 15” (381mm)
before testing for AC voltage.
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
Your shipping carton should include:
1 TIC 300 PRO
1 9V Alkaline Battery
1 Users Manual
1 Carrying Case
If any of the items are damaged or missing, return
the complete package to the place of purchase for an
exchange.

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INTRODUCTION
The TIC 300 PRO is an instrument for safely checking
the presence of an AC voltage without making any
disconnection in cables, wall sockets, fuses, circuit
breakers, junction boxes, etc. No current flow is needed
for correct operation.
Rugged and reliable for utility, industrial and mine safety
applications, The TIC 300 PRO warns against dangerous
voltages in low and medium voltage applications up to
122 KV without contacting the energized conductor.
Features
•Utility tool for checking transmission lines, power
distribution equipment, down power lines, fuses,
and load break connectors
•Lower voltage setting for checking voltage
presence in breaker panels, breakers, power
outlets and wiring
•Verifies presence of Voltage from 30 VAC to
122,000 VAC (122kV)
•Non-contact AC voltage detection
•Visual and audible voltage indication
•Self-test verifies that tester works properly
•Ergonomic design with a convenient handle
•Drop-proof to 6-FT
Used with Hot Stick TIC 410A for voltage higher than
1500V

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OPERATION
ON / OFF Button
When the TIC 300 PRO is activated, the blue LED’s and
beeper will pulse at a slow rate about twice a second.
The red LED of the range (HIGH) will turn ON.
TEST Button
The TEST button should be used prior to testing actual
power circuits. The TEST function will cause the blue
LEDs to pulse at a continuous rate and the beeper tone
to stop either on LOW or HIGH mode.
OSHA listed clearance distances for working with
voltage. National or local requirements may be
different.
Line voltage (kV) Phase to ground Phase to phase
phase to phase (ft-in) (m) (ft-in) (m)
0.03 to 1.0 note1 note note1 note1
1.1 to 15.0 2-1 0.64 2-2 .66
15.1 to 36.0 2-4 0.72 2-7 0.77
36.1 to 46.0 2-7 0.77 2-10 0.77
46.1 to 72.5 3-0 0.90 3-6 1.05
72.6 to 121 3-2 0.95 4-3 1.29
Note1. – No contact necessary
Caution: If a three phase circuit is being checked and
one phase is open, the voltage from another phase
maybe detected and will give a faulty indication.Always
make sure that the phase cables are separated by at least
15”(381mm)

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Voltage Detection
LOW Range
1. Push ON/OFF push button to turn the unit ON
2. The high voltage detection circuit is activated.A
twice per second beep will be heard and the blue
LEDs will flash at the same rate.
3. Push LOW range push button. The unit is ready for
low voltage detection
4. Place the probe tip of the TIC 300 PRO near, but not
touching the low (<1000 V) voltage line. See Fig.1
5. If voltage is present, the blue LEDs will blink at a
faster rate and the beeper sound will increase at
the same rate. A continuous visual rate without a
beeper tone will register when the probe tip is too
close to the voltage line.
HIGH Range (HOT STICK must be used)
(See Fig.5)
1. Push the HIGH range push button
2. Approach the probe tip near, but not touching the
high voltage (> 1500V and <122 kV) conductor.
3. If voltage is present, the blue LEDs will blink at a
faster rate and the beeper sound will increase at
the same rate. A continuous visual rate without a
beeper tone will register when the probe tip is too
close to the high voltage line.
Locate breaks in insulated wire and heating
elements. (See Fig.2)
1. Push the ON/OFF push button to turn the unit on

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2. Push the LOW range push button
3. Make sure the wire or the heating element is
energized
4. Place the tip of the probe near the wire and start
tracing along it. When the fast or continuous
beep stops, this indicates the point of the break or
“open”
Check Outlets and Switches. (See Figs 3 & 4)
1. Push the ON/OFF push button to turn the unit on
2. Push the LOW range push button
3. Place the probe tip of the TIC 300 PRO against the
outlet or switch contact.
4. Increase beeping indicates voltage presence

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MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
If the TIC 300 PRO will not turn on, check the battery.
If there appears to be a malfunction during the
operation of the voltage detector, the following steps
should be performed in order to isolate the cause of the
problem:
1. Check the battery.
2. Review the operating instructions for possible
mistakes in operating procedure.
Except for the replacement of the battery, repair of
the voltage detector should be performed only by a
Factory Authorized Service Center or by other qualified
instrument service personnel. The front panel and
case can be cleaned with a mild solution of detergent
and water. Apply sparingly with a soft cloth and allow
drying completely before using. Do not use aromatic
hydrocarbons or chlorinated solvents for cleaning.
Battery Replacement
Use phillips blade screwdriver to remove the battery
hatch screw. Lift the hatch. Remove the battery and
replace it with a 9 volt alkaline battery. Make sure the
seal is in place. Close the battery hatch and replace the
screw.

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SPECIFICATION
Operating voltage
LOW Range: 30 to 1500 VAC; HIGH Range: 1500 VAC to
122 kVAC
Operating Temperature: 0°C to +52°C(32°F to +125°F);
RH < 90%
Storage Temperature:0°C to +52°C(32°F to +125°F)
battery removed.
Environment: < 2000m, outdoor operation
Power: 9 volt alkaline battery
Power Consumption:
•OFF: 340uA
•Low Detection mode: 39 mA
•High Detection mode:39 mA
Duty Cycle: Continuous
Response Time: Instantaneous
Dimensions: 345(L) x 75(W) x 47(H)mm (13.5 x 3.0 x 1.8 in)
Weight: 243g (0.5 lb.)
Optional Accessory: TIC 410A Hot Stick
. EMC: EN 61326-1:2006 This product complies with
requirements of the following European Community Directives:
2004/108/EC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and 2006/95/EC
(Low Voltage) as amended by 93/68/EEC (CE Marking). However,
electrical noise or intense electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of
the equipment may disturb the measurement circuit. Measuring
instruments will also respond to unwanted signals that may be
present within the measurement circuit. Users should exercise
care and take appropriate precautions to avoid misleading
results when making measurements in the presence of electronic
interference.

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Electrical:
Sensitivity: typical as listed on the table below
LOW Voltage
Voltage
(Phase to Ground)
Detection Range
Average
30V 2.7”
75V 9.7”
100V 1’ 1”
120V 1’ 6”
220V 2’ 4”
500V 4’ 2”
1000V 6’ 3”
1500V 7’ 9”
HIGH Voltage
Voltage
(Phase to Ground)
Detection Range
Average
1.5 kV 1’ 2”
2.0 kV 2’ 5”
4.0 kV 3”
10.0 kV 6’ 3”
25.0 kV 9’ 4”
50.0 kV 13’ 0”
75.0 kV 14’ 8”
100.0 kV 19’ 8”
122.0 kV 22’ 0”

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Fig.1 Voltage detection in a line
Fig.2 Finding a break or “open”

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Fig.3 Voltage detection in a outlet
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Fig.4 Finding a breaker

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HOT STICK
Fig.5 Voltage detection in transmission lines