Brymen TOP TRONIC TBM186 User manual

USER'S MANUAL
DCA/ACA Models:
TBM186 & TBM189
ACA Models:
TBM181, TBM183,
TBM185 & TBM188
Versatile Clamp-on Multimeter Series

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1) SAFETY
This manual contains information and warnings that must be followed for operating the
instrument safely and maintaining the instrument in a safe operating condition. If the
instrument is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the instrument may be impaired.
The meter protection rating, against the users, is double insulation per IEC/EN61010-1
2nd Ed., UL61010-1 2nd Ed., CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010.1-0.92, IEC/EN61010-2-032,
UL61010B-2-032, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-2-032-04 & IEC/EN61010-
031:2002/A1:2008:
Measurement Category III 600V AC & DC.
Per IEC61010-1 (2010) OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY ll (CAT II) is for equipment intended to be supplied from
the building wiring. It applies both to plug-connected equipment and to PERMANENTLY
CONNECTED EQUIPMENT.
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY lll (CAT III) is for equipment intended to form part of a
building wiring installation. Such equipment includes socket outlets, fuse panels, and
some MAINS installation control equipment.
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY lV (CAT IV) is for equipment installed at or near the
origin of the electrical supply to a building, between the building entrance and the main
distribution board. Such equipment may include electricity tariff meters and primary
overcurrent protection devices.
TERMS IN THIS MANUAL
WARNING identifies conditions and actions that could result in serious injury or even
death to the user.
CAUTION identifies conditions and actions that could cause damage or malfunction in
the instrument.

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WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.
The meter is intended only for indoor use.
To avoid electrical shock hazard, observe the proper safety precautions when working
with voltages above 60 VDC or 30 VAC rms. These voltage levels pose a potential
shock hazard to the user. Before and after hazardous voltage measurements, test the
voltage function on a known source such as line voltage to determine proper meter
functioning.
Keep your hands/fingers behind the hand/finger barriers (of the meter and the test leads)
that indicate the limits of safe access of the hand-held part during measurement.
Inspect test leads, connectors, and probes for damaged insulation or exposed metal
before using the instrument. If any defects are found, replace them immediately. Only
use the test lead provided with the equipment or UL Listed Probe Assembly rated CAT
III 600V or better.
This Clamp-on meter is designed to apply around or remove from uninsulated
hazardous live conductors. But still, individual protective equipment must be used if
hazardous live parts in the installation where measurement is to be carried out could be
accessible.
CAUTION
Disconnect the test leads from the test points before changing meter functions.
INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
!Caution ! Refer to the explanation in this Manual
Caution ! Risk of electric shock
Earth (Ground)
Double Insulation or Reinforced insulation
Fuse
AC--Alternating Current
DC--Direct Current
Application around and removal from hazardous live conductors is
permitted
2) CENELEC Directives
The instruments conform to CENELEC Low-voltage directive 2006/95/EC and
Electromagnetic compatibility directive 2004/108/EC

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3) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This user's manual uses only representative model(s) for illustrations. Please refer
specification details for function availability to each model.
1) Antenna for Non-Contact EF-
Detection
2) Hand/Finger Barrier to indicate
the limits of safe access of the
meter during measurement
3) Push-buttons for special
functions & features.
4) Input Jack for all functions
EXCEPT non-invasive DCA or
ACA current functions
5) Common (Ground reference)
Input Jack for all functions
EXCEPT non-invasive DCA or
ACA current functions
6) Slide-switch Selector to turn the
power ON/OFF and Select a
function
7) 3-5/6 digits 6000 counts & 3-1/2
digits 2000 counts dual numeric
LCD display
8) Jaw trigger for opening the
clamp jaw
9) Jaw center indicator (with DCA
polarity for Models 186 & 189), at
where best DCA or ACA accuracy
is specified
10) Jaw marking line for ACA
position error indication (Models
181, 183, 185 & 188 only)

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4) OPERATION
CAUTION: Before and after hazardous voltage measurements, test the voltage function
on a known source such as line voltage to determine proper meter functioning.
ACV Hz, DCV & DC+ACV Hz (Model 189 only) functions
Set slide-switch to Voltage function position(s). Inputs are made through the test leads
terminals. Defaults at ACV Hz Function. Press SELECT button momentarily and release
to select the subject functions in sequence. For Models 181 & 183, ACV Hz &DCV
functions are in different slide-switch positions.
Note: The Hz trigger level is determined by the ACV or ACA function-range being in
use. Press RANGE button to select different function-ranges and thus trigger levels
manually.

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ACA Hz, DCA (Models 186 & 189 only) & DC+ACA Hz (Model 189 only) functions
Set the slide-switch to select Afunction. Input is made through the clamp jaws for non-
invasive current measurements. Defaults at ACA Hz Function. Press SELECT button
momentarily and release to select the subject functions in sequence.
CAUTION (Application and removal of the Clamp-on meter)
For non-invasive current measurements, press the jaw trigger and clamp the jaws
around conductor(s) of only one single pole of a circuit for load current measurement.
Make sure the jaws are completely closed, or else it will introduce measurement errors.
Enclosing conductor(s) of more than one pole of a circuit may result in differential
current (like identifying leakage current) measurement. Locate the conductor(s) at the
Jaws center as much as possible to get the best measuring accuracy. For removal,
press the jaw trigger and remove the jaws from the conductor(s).
Adjacent current-carrying devices such as transformers, motors and conductor wires
will affect measurement accuracy. Keep the jaws away from them as much as possible
to minimize influence.

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Temperature function (Models 185, 188 & 189 only)
For Model 189, defaults at oC(Celsius) readings. Press SELECT button momentarily
and release to select oF(Fahrenheit) readings.
For Models 185 & 188, defaults at ACA Hz readings. Press SELECT button momentarily
and release to select oC(Celsius) readings. Press SELECT button momentarily and
release once again to select oF(Fahrenheit) readings.
Inputs are made through the test leads terminals. Be sure to insert the banana plug
type-K temperature bead probe Bkp60 with correct polarities. You can also use a
plug adapter Bkb32 (Optional purchase) with banana pins to type-K socket to adapt
other type-K standard mini plug temperature probes.
DCA Current function (Models 185 & 188 only)
Set slide-switch to DCAfunction position. Inputs are made through the test lead
terminals.
Application notes:

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The DCAfunction is designed especially for HVAC/R flame sensor applications. The
0.1A resolution is useful for identifying the minute current changes in flame detector
applications. Flame signal current check should indicate steady flame signal of at least
2A for a rectification type, or 1.5A for an ultraviolet type (8A for self checking
systems). If a flame signal current with inadequate strength or fluctuation beyond 10%,
check the following to avoid the risk of unwanted flame relay dropout :
For gas or oil flames (Minipeeper):
Low supply voltage
Detector location
Defective detector wiring
Dirty viewing windows
Faulty Minipeeper
For oil flames (Photocell):
Detector location & wiring
Smoky flame or poorly adjusted air shutter
Faulty Photocell
Temperature over 165 F (74 C) at photocell
For gas flames (Flame Rod):
Ignition interference (A flame signal current difference with the ignition both on and
off greater than 0.5A indicates the presence of ignition interference)
Insufficient ground (must be at least 4 times the detector area)
Flame lifting off burner head (ground), or not continuously in contact with the flame
rod
Temperature in excess of 600 oF (316 oC) at the flame electrode insulator causing
short to ground.
AutoCheckTM mode
This innovative AutoCheckTM feature automatically selects measurement function of
DCV,VFD-ACV Hz (with low pass filters) or Resistance ()based on the input via test
leads.
With no input, the meter displays “Auto” when it is ready.
With no voltage signal but a resistance below 10M(nominal) is present, the meter
displays the resistance value. When the resistance is below the “Audible Threshold”,
the meter further gives a continuity beep tone.
When a signal above the voltage threshold of 1.5V DCV or VFD-ACV up to the rated

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600V is present, the meter displays the voltage value in appropriate DCV or VFD-
ACV, whichever larger in peak magnitude.
Note:
*Range-Lock and Function-Lock Feature: When a measurement reading is being
displayed in AutoCheckTM mode, press the RANGE or SELECT button momentarily 1
time can lock the range or function it was in. Press the button momentarily repeatedly to
step through the ranges or functions.
*As Hazardous-Alert: When making resistance measurements in AutoCheckTM mode,
an unexpected display of voltage readings alerts you that the object under test is being
energized.
*Ghost-voltage Buster: Ghost-voltages are unwanted stray signals coupled from
adjacent hard signals, which confuse common multimeter voltage measurements. Our
AutoCheckTM mode provides low (ramp-up) input impedance (approx. 2.5kΩ at low
voltage) to drain ghost voltages leaving mainly hard signal values on meter readings. It
is an invaluable feature for precise indication of hard signals, such as distinguishing
between hot and open wires (to ground) in electrical installation applications.
WARNING:

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AutoCheckTM mode input impedance increases abruptly from initial 2.5kΩ to a few
hundred kΩ’s on high voltage hard signals. “LoZ” displays on the LCD to remind the
users of being in such low impedance mode. Peak initial load current, while probing
600VAC for example, can be up to 340mA (600V x 1.414 / 2.5kΩ), decreasing abruptly
to approx. 3.4mA (600V x 1.414 / 250kΩ) within a fraction of a second. Do not use
AutoCheckTM mode on circuits that could be damaged by such low input impedance.
Instead, use slide-switch selector or high input impedance voltage modes to
minimize loading for such circuits.
While in AutoCheckTM function, press SELECT button momentarily and release to
manually select the low input impedance (LoZ) ACV Hz,VFD ACV Hz and DCV functions
as well as the Resistance,Continuity,Capacitance and Diode
functions in sequence. For Model 186, Capacitance and Diode functions are
set in different slide function positions.