Extech Instruments 700 Series User manual

User's Guide
Extech 700 Series
800 Amp Clamp Meters
EX710 AC Clamp meter
EX720 True RMS AC Clamp meter
EX730 AC/DC True RMS Clamp meter

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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Extech 700 Series Clamp meter. The series
consists of the following models:
EX710 AC Current Clamp meter
EX720 True RMS AC Current Clamp with Temperature
EX730 True RMS AC/DC Current Clamp with Temperature & DC zero function
In addition to the parameters shown above in the individual model list, all models measure:
AC/DC Voltage
Resistance
Capacitance
Frequency
Continuity
Diode
The Extech 700 Series features:
Auto Power OFF
Data Hold
Peak Hold
Backlit LCD display

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Safety
International Safety Symbols
This symbol, adjacent to another symbol or terminal, indicates the user must refer
to the manual for further information.
This symbol, adjacent to a terminal, indicates that, under normal use, hazardous
voltages may be present
Double insulation
SAFETY NOTES
•Do not exceed the maximum allowable input range of any function.
•Do not apply voltage to meter when resistance function is selected.
•Set the function switch OFF when the meter is not in use.
•Remove the battery if meter is to be stored for longer than 60 days.
WARNINGS
•Set function switch to the appropriate position before measuring.
•When measuring volts do not switch to current/resistance modes.
•Do not measure current on a circuit whose voltage exceeds 600V.
•When changing ranges always disconnect the test leads from the circuit under test.
UL Note
A UL mark does not indicate that this product has been evaluated for accuracy.
CAUTIONS
•Improper use of this meter can cause damage, shock, injury or death. Read and
understand this user manual before operating the meter.
•Always remove the test leads before replacing the battery or fuses.
•Inspect the condition of the test leads and the meter itself for any damage before
operating the meter. Repair or replace any damage before use.
•Use great care when making measurements if the voltages are greater than 25VAC
rms or 35VDC. These voltages are considered a shock hazard.
•Always discharge capacitors and remove power from the device under test before
performing Diode, Resistance or Continuity tests.
•Voltage checks on electrical outlets can be difficult and misleading because of the
uncertainty of connection to the recessed electrical contacts. Other means should be
used to ensure that the terminals are not "live".
•If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.
Function Maximum Input
A AC, A DC (A DC on Model EX730 only) 800A DC/AC
V DC, V AC 600V DC/AC
Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, Diode Test 250V DC/AC
Temperature (EX720 & EX730 only) 60V DC, 24V AC

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Description
Meter Description (EX730 pictured)
1. Current clamp
2. Clamp opening trigger
3. Control buttons:
Data Hold
Mode
Peak
Backlight
DCA Zero (EX730 only)
4. Backlit LCD Display
5. COM negative input jack for black test lead
6. Rotary function switch
7. V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive input jack for red
lead
Display icons Description
HOLD Data Hold
Minus sign Negative reading display
0 to 3999 Measurement display digits
DC ZERO DCA Zero (Model EX730 only)
PEAK Peak capture
AUTO Auto Range mode
DC/AC Direct Current / Alternating Current
BAT Low battery
mV or V Milli-volts or Volts (Voltage)
ΩOhms (Resistance)
A Amperes (Current)
F Farad (Capacitance)
Hz Hertz (Frequency)
oF and oC Fahrenheit and Celsius units (Temperature)
n, m, µ, M, k Unit of measure prefixes: nano, milli, micro, mega, and kilo
•))) Continuity test
Diode test
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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Specifications
Accuracy
(% of reading + digits)
Function Range &
Resolution EX710 EX720 EX730
40.00A AC ± (2.8% + 10d) ± (2.5% + 10d) ± (5% + 10d)
400.0A AC ± (2.8% + 8d) ± (2.5% + 8d) ± (5% + 10d)
AC Current
50/60 Hz
True RMS on
EX720 & EX730 800A AC ± (3.0% + 8d) ± (2.8% + 5d) ± (2.8% + 10d)
40.00A DC ± (5% + 10d)
400.0A DC ± (5% + 10d)
DC Current
EX730 only
800A DC
NA NA
± (2.8% + 10d)
400.0mV AC ± (1.5% + 10d) ± (1.0% + 10d) ± (1.0% + 10d)
4.000V AC
40.00V AC
400.0V AC
± (1.8% + 8d) ± (1.5% + 5d) ± (1.5% + 5d)
AC Voltage
50/60Hz
True RMS on
EX720 & EX730 600V AC ± (2.5% + 8d) ± (2.0% + 5d) ± (2.0% + 5d)
400.0mV DC ± (0.8% + 2d) ± (0.8% + 2d) ± (0.8% + 2d)
4.000V DC
40.00V DC
400.0V DC
± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d)
DC Voltage
600V DC ± (2.0% + 2d) ± (2.0% + 2d) ± (2.0% + 2d)
400.0Ω± (1.0% + 4d) ± (1.0% + 4d) ± (1.0% + 4d)
4.000kΩ
40.00kΩ
400.0kΩ
± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d)
4.000MΩ± (2.5% + 3d) ± (2.5% + 3d) ± (2.5% + 3d)
Resistance
40.00MΩ± (3.5% + 5d) ± (3.5% + 5d) ± (3.5% + 5d)
4.000nF ± (5.0% + 30d) ± (5.0% + 30d) ± (5.0% + 30d)
40.00nF ± (5.0% + 20d) ± (5.0% + 20d) ± (5.0% + 20d)
400.0nF
4.000µF
40.00µF
± (3.0% + 5d) ± (3.0% + 5d) ± (3.0% + 5d)
400.0µF ± (4.0% + 10d) ± (4.0% + 10d) ± (4.0% + 10d)
4.000mF ± (10% + 10d) ± (10% + 10d) ± (10% + 10d)
Capacitance
40.00mF unspecified unspecified unspecified
4.000kHz ± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d) ± (1.5% + 2d)
Frequency Sensitivity: 100V (<50Hz); 50V (50 to 400Hz); 5V (401 to 4000Hz)

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Function Range and
Resolution Accuracy
(% of reading + digits)
EX710 EX720 EX730
-4 to 1400oF NA ± (3%rdg + 9oF) ± (3%rdg + 9oF)
Temperature -20 to 760oC NA ± (3%rdg + 5oC) ± (3%rdg + 5oC)
General Specifications
Clamp jaw opening 1.2" (30mm) approx.
Display 3-3/4 digits (4000 counts) backlit LCD
Continuity check Threshold 40Ω; Test current < 0.5mA
Diode test Test current of 0.3mA typical;
Open circuit voltage < 3VDC typical
Low Battery indication ‘BAT’ is displayed
Over-range indication ‘OL’ display
Measurement rate 2 readings per second, nominal
PEAK Captures peaks >1ms
Temperature sensor Type K thermocouple
Input Impedance 10MΩ(VDC and VAC)
AC bandwidth 50 to 400Hz (AAC and VAC)
AC response True rms (AAC and VAC) on EX720 & EX730
Crest Factor 3.0 in 40A and 400A ranges, 1.4 in 800A range (50/60Hz
and 5% to 100% of range)
Operating Temperature 41oF to 104oF (5oC to 40oC)
Storage Temperature -4oF to 140oF (-20oC to 60oC)
Operating Humidity Max 80% up to 87oF (31oC) decreasing linearly to 50% at
104oF(40oC)
Storage Humidity <80%
Operating Altitude 7000ft. (2000meters) maximum.
Battery One (1) 9V Battery
Auto power OFF After approx. 25 minutes
Dimensions & Weight 9.0 x 3.1 x 2.0" (229 x 80 x 49mm); 10.7 oz. (303g)
Safety For indoor use and in accordance with the requirements for
double insulation to IEC1010-1 (2001): EN61010-1 (2001)
Overvoltage Category III 600V and Category II 1000V,
Pollution Degree 2.

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Operation
NOTES:Read and understand all Warning and Caution statements in this operation manual prior to using
this meter. Set the function select switch to the OFF position when the meter is not in use.
AC/DC Current Measurements (DC Current on Model EX730 only)
WARNING: Ensure that the test leads are disconnected from the meter before making current clamp
measurements.
1. Set the Function switch to the 800A,
400A, or 40A range. If the approx.
range of the measurement is not known,
select the highest range then move to
the lower ranges if necessary.
2. Use the MODE button to select AC or
DC (EX730 only).
3. Press the DC ZERO button to zero the
meter display (EX730, DC only).
4. Press the trigger to open jaw. Fully
enclose only one conductor. For
optimum results, center the conductor in
the jaw.
5. The clamp meter LCD will display the
reading.
AC/DC Voltage Measurements
1. Insert the black test lead into the negative COM terminal and the
red test lead into the positive V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· terminal.
2. Set the function switch to the V Hz position.
3. Use the MODE button to select AC or DC Voltage.
4. Connect the test leads in parallel to the circuit under test.
5. Read the voltage measurement on the LCD display.
Correct Incorrect
V

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Resistance Measurements
1. Insert the black test lead into the negative COM terminal and the red
test lead into the V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive terminal.
2. Set the function switch to the Ω position.
3. Touch the test probe tips across the circuit or component under test.
4. Read the resistance on the LCD display.
Capacitance Measurements
WARNING: To avoid electric shock, discharge the capacitor under test before measuring.
1. Set the function switch to the CAP position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM jack and
the red test lead banana plug into the V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive
jack.
3. Touch the test probe tips across the part under test. If “dISC” appears
in the display, remove and discharge the component.
4. Read the capacitance value in the display.
5. The display will indicate the proper decimal point and value.
Note: For very large values of capacitance measurement it can take several
minutes before the final reading stabilizes.
Frequency Measurements
1. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM jack and
the red test lead banana plug into the V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive
jack.
2. Set the function switch to the VHz Position.
3. Press and hold the MODE button to select the Frequency (Hz)
function. “k Hz” will appear in the display.
4. Touch the test probe tips across the part under test.
5. Read the Frequency value on the display.
6. The display will indicate the proper decimal point and value.
7. Press and hold the MODE button again to return to the voltage mode.
CAP
Hz

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Temperature Measurements (Models EX720 and EX730 only)
1. Set the function switch to the TEMP position.
2. Insert the Temperature Probe into the negative COM and the
V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive jacks, observing polarity.
3. Touch the Temperature Probe head to the device under test.
Continue to touch the part under test with the probe until the
reading stabilizes.
4. Read the temperature on the display. The digital reading will
indicate the proper decimal point and value.
5. Use the MODE button to select oF or oC.
WARNING: To avoid electric shock, be sure the thermocouple probe has been
removed before changing to another measurement function.
Continuity Measurements
1. Insert the black test lead into the negative COM terminal and the red test lead into the
V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive terminal.
2. Set the function switch to the •)))position.
3. Use the MODE button to select continuity “•)))”. The display icons will change when
the MODE button is pressed.
4. Touch the test probe tips across the circuit or component under test.
5. If the resistance is < 40Ω, a tone will sound.
Diode Test
1. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM jack and the red test
lead banana plug into the V·Ω·CAP·TEMP·Hz· positive jack
2. Turn the function switch to position. Use the MODE button to select the diode
function if necessary (diode symbol will appear on the LCD when in Diode test mode)
3. Touch the test probe tips to the diode or semiconductor junction under test. Note the
meter reading
4. Reverse the test lead polarity by reversing the red and black leads. Note this reading
5. The diode or junction can be evaluated as follows:
If one reading displays a value (typically 0.400V to 0.900V) and the other
reading displays OL, the diode is good.
If both readings display OL the device is open.
If both readings are very small or ‘0’, the device is shorted.

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Data Hold
To freeze the LCD reading, press the HOLD button. While data hold is active, the HOLD
icon appears on the LCD. Press the HOLD button again to return to normal operation.
DC ZERO (Relative) (EX730 only)
The DC ZERO is a relative feature and can be used in any function.
1. Press the DC ZERO button to zero the display. “ZERO” will appear in the display. The
displayed reading is now the actual value less the stored “zero” value.
2. Press the DC ZERO button to view the stored value. “ZERO” will flash in the display.
3. To exit this mode, press and Hold the ZERO button until “ZERO” is no longer in the
display.
Peak Hold
The Peak Hold function captures the peak AC or DC voltage or current. The meter can
capture negative or positive peaks as fast as 1 millisecond in duration.
1. Turn the function switch to the A or V position.
2. Use the MODE button to select AC or DC (ADC EX730 only).
3. Allow time for the display to stabilize.
4. Press and Hold the PEAK button until “CAL” appears in the display. This procedure
will zero the range selected.
5. Press the PEAK button, Pmax will display.
6. The display will update each time a higher positive peak occurs.
7. Press the PEAK button again, Pmin will display. The display will now update and
indicate the lowest negative peak.
8. To return to normal operation, press and hold the PEAK button until the Pmin or
Pmax indicator switches off.
Note: If the Function switch position is changed after a calibration the Peak Hold
calibration must be repeated for the new function selected.
LCD Backlight Button
The LCD is equipped with backlighting for easier viewing, especially in dimly lit areas.
Press the backlight button to turn the backlight on. Press again to turn the backlight off.
Note that the meter does have an auto power off feature as described below.
Automatic Power OFF
In order to conserve battery life, the meter will automatically turn off after approximately 25
minutes. To turn the meter on again, turn the function switch to the OFF position and then
to the desired function position.