Extech Instruments EX530 User manual

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User's Guide
True RMS Industrial Multimeter
Extech EX530

EX530 V3.3 4/29/07
2
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Extech EX530 True RMS Autoranging Multimeter.
This meter measures AC/DC Voltage, AC/DC Current, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency
(electrical & electronic), Duty Cycle, Diode Test, and Continuity plus Thermocouple
Temperature. It features a waterproof, rugged design for heavy duty use. Proper use and
care of this meter will provide many years of reliable service.
Safety
This symbol adjacent to another symbol, terminal or operating device
indicates that the operator must refer to an explanation in the Operating
Instructions to avoid personal injury or damage to the meter.
This WARNING symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which
if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
This CAUTION symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which
if not avoided, may result damage to the product.
This symbol advises the user that the terminal(s) so marked must not be
connected to a circuit point at which the voltage with respect to earth
ground exceeds (in this case) 1000 VAC or VDC.
This symbol adjacent to one or more terminals identifies them as being
associated with ranges that may, in normal use, be subjected to
particularly hazardous voltages. For maximum safety, the meter and its
test leads should not be handled when these terminals are energized.
This symbol indicates that a device is protected throughout by double
insulation or reinforced insulation.
PER IEC1010 OVERVOLTAGE INSTALLATION CATEGORY
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY I
Equipment of OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY I is equipment for connection to circuits in
which measures are taken to limit the transient overvoltages to an appropriate low level.
Note – Examples include protected electronic circuits.
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY II
Equipment of OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY II is energy-consuming equipment to be
supplied from the fixed installation.
Note – Examples include household, office, and laboratory appliances.
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY III
Equipment of OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY III is equipment in fixed installations.
Note – Examples include switches in the fixed installation and some equipment for industrial
use with permanent connection to the fixed installation.
OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY IV
Equipment of OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY IV is for use at the origin of the installation.
Note – Examples include electricity meters and primary over-current protection equipment
WARNING
CAUTION
MAX
1000V

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This meter has been designed for safe use, but must be operated with caution. The rules
listed below must be carefully followed for safe operation.
1. NEVER apply voltage or current to the meter that exceeds the specified maximum:
Input Protection Limits
Function Maximum Input
V DC or V AC 1000VDC/AC rms
mA AC/DC 500mA 1000V fast acting fuse
A AC/DC 10A 1000V fast acting fuse (20A for 30 seconds
max every 15 minutes)
Frequency, Resistance, Capacitance,
Duty Cycle, Diode Test, Continuity 1000VDC/AC rms
Temperature 1000VDC/AC rms
2. USE EXTREME CAUTION when working with high voltages.
3. DO NOT measure voltage if the voltage on the "COM" input jack exceeds 600V above
earth ground.
4. NEVER connect the meter leads across a voltage source while the function switch is in
the current, resistance, or diode mode. Doing so can damage the meter.
5. ALWAYS discharge filter capacitors in power supplies and disconnect the power when
making resistance or diode tests.
6. ALWAYS turn off the power and disconnect the test leads before opening the covers to
replace the fuse or batteries.
7. NEVER operate the meter unless the back cover and the battery and fuse covers are in
place and fastened securely.
8. If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection
provided by the equipment may be impaired.

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Controls and Jacks
1. 40,000 count LCD display
2. REL button
3. RANGE button
4. MODE button
5. Function switch
6. mA, µA and 10A input jacks
7. COM input jack
8. Positive input jack
9. HOLD and (Backlight) button
10. PEAK button
11. MAX/MIN button
Note: Tilt stand and battery compartment are
on rear of unit.
Symbols and Annunciators
•))) Continuity
Diode test
Battery status
n nano (10-9) (capacitance)
µ micro (10-6) (amps, cap)
m milli (10-3) (volts, amps)
A Amps
k kilo (103) (ohms)
F Farads (capacitance)
M mega (106) (ohms)
Ω Ohms PEAK Peak Hold
Hz Hertz (frequency) V Volts
% Percent (duty ratio) REL Relative
AC Alternating current AUTO Autoranging
DC Direct current HOLD Display hold
ºF Degrees Fahrenheit ºC Degrees Centigrade
MAX Maximum MIN Minimum

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Operating Instructions
WARNING: Risk of electrocution. High-voltage circuits, both AC and DC, are very
dangerous and should be measured with great care.
1. ALWAYS turn the function switch to the OFF position when the meter is not in use.
2. If “OL” appears in the display during a measurement, the value exceeds the range you
have selected. Change to a higher range.
DC VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS
CAUTION: Do not measure DC voltages if a motor on the circuit is being switched ON or
OFF. Large voltage surges may occur that can damage the meter.
1. Set the function switch to the green VDC position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM
jack.
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive Vjack.
3. Touch the black test probe tip to the negative side of the
circuit.
Touch the red test probe tip to the positive side of the circuit.
4. Read the voltage in the display.
AC VOLTAGE (FREQUENCY, DUTY CYCLE) MEASUREMENTS
WARNING: Risk of Electrocution. The probe tips may not be long enough to contact the
live parts inside some 240V outlets for appliances because the contacts are recessed
deep in the outlets. As a result, the reading may show 0 volts when the outlet actually has
voltage on it. Make sure the probe tips are touching the metal contacts inside the outlet
before assuming that no voltage is present.
CAUTION: Do not measure AC voltages if a motor on the circuit is being switched ON or
OFF. Large voltage surges may occur that can damage the meter.
1. Set the function switch to the green VAC/Hz/% position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM jack.
Insert red test lead banana plug into the positive Vjack.
3. Touch the black test probe tip to the neutral side of the circuit.
Touch the red test probe tip to the “hot” side of the circuit.
4. Read the voltage in the display.
5. Press the MODE button to indicate “Hz”.
6. Read the frequency in the display.
7. Press the MODE button again to indicate “%”.
8. Read the % of duty cycle in the display.

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DC/AC MILLIVOLT MEASUREMENTS
CAUTION: Do not measure DC/AC voltages if a motor on the circuit is being switched
ON or OFF. Large voltage surges may occur that can damage the meter.
1. Set the function switch to the green mV DC-AC position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM
jack.
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive Vjack.
3. Press the MODE button to select “DC” or “AC” millivolts.
4. Touch the black test probe tip to the negative side of the
circuit.
Touch the red test probe tip to the positive side of the circuit.
5. Read the voltage in the display.
DC CURRENT MEASUREMENTS
CAUTION: Do not make 20A current measurements for longer than 30 seconds.
Exceeding 30 seconds may cause damage to the meter and/or the test leads.
1. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM
jack.
2. For current measurements up to 6000µA DC, set the function
switch to the yellow µA position and insert the red test lead
banana plug into the µA/mA jack.
3. For current measurements up to 600mA DC, set the function
switch to the yellow mA position and insert the red test lead
banana plug into the µA/mA jack.
4. For current measurements up to 20A DC, set the function
switch to the yellow 10A/HZ/% position and insert the red test
lead banana plug into the 10A jack.
5. Press the MODE button to indicate “DC” on the display.
6. Remove power from the circuit under test, then open up the
circuit at the point where you wish to measure current.
7. Touch the black test probe tip to the negative side of the circuit.
Touch the red test probe tip to the positive side of the circuit.
8. Apply power to the circuit.
9. Read the current in the display.

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AC CURRENT (FREQUENCY, DUTY CYCLE) MEASUREMENTS
CAUTION: Do not make 20A current measurements for longer than 30 seconds.
Exceeding 30 seconds may cause damage to the meter and/or the test leads.
1. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative COM jack.
2. For current measurements up to 6000µA AC, set the function
switch to the yellow µA position and insert the red test lead
banana plug into the µA/mA jack.
3. For current measurements up to 600mA AC, set the function
switch to the yellow mA position and insert the red test lead
banana plug into the µA/mA jack.
4. For current measurements up to 20A AC, set the function switch
to the yellow 10A/HZ/% position and insert the red test lead
banana plug into the 10A jack.
5. Press the MODE button to indicate “AC” on the display.
6. Remove power from the circuit under test, then open up the
circuit at the point where you wish to measure current.
7. Touch the black test probe tip to the neutral side of the circuit.
Touch the red test probe tip to the “hot” side of the circuit.
8. Apply power to the circuit.
9. Read the current in the display.
10.Press and hold the MODE button to indicate “Hz”.
11.Read the frequency in the display.
12.Momentarily press the MODE button again to indicate “%”.
13.Read the % duty cycle in the display.
14.Press and hold the MODE button to return to current measurement.
RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS
WARNING: To avoid electric shock, disconnect power to the unit under test and
discharge all capacitors before taking any resistance measurements. Remove the
batteries and unplug the line cords.
1. Set the function switch to the green Ω position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative
COM jack.
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive Ωjack.
3. Press the MODE button to indicate “Ω” on the display.
4. Touch the test probe tips across the circuit or part under test.
It is best to disconnect one side of the part under test so the
rest of the circuit will not interfere with the resistance reading.
5. Read the resistance in the display.

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CONTINUITY CHECK
WARNING: To avoid electric shock, never measure continuity on circuits or wires that
have voltage on them.
1. Set the function switch to the green
Ωposition.
2. Insert the black lead banana plug into the negative COM jack.
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive Ωjack.
3. Press the MODE button to indicate“ "and “Ω”on the display
4. Touch the test probe tips to the circuit or wire you wish to
check.
5. If the resistance is less than approximately 35Ω, the audible
signal will sound. If the circuit is open, the display will indicate
“OL”.
DIODE TEST
1. Set the function switch to the green Ωposition.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative
COM jack and the red test lead banana plug into the
positive Vjack.
3. Press the MODE button to indicate “ “ and “V” on the
display.
4. Touch the test probes to the diode under test. Forward
voltage will typically indicate 0.400 to 0.700V. Reverse
voltage will indicate “OL”. Shorted devices will indicate
near 0V and an open device will indicate “OL” in both
polarities.

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TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS
1. Set the function switch to the green Temp position.
2. Insert the Temperature Probe into the input jacks, making sure
to observe the correct polarity.
3. Press the MODE button to indicate “ºF” or “ºC”
4. Touch the Temperature Probe head to the part whose
temperature you wish to measure. Keep the probe touching the
part under test until the reading stabilizes (about 30 seconds).
5. Read the temperature in the display.
Note: The temperature probe is fitted with a type K mini connector.
A mini connector to banana connector adaptor is supplied for
connection to the input banana jacks.
CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENTS
WARNING: To avoid electric shock, disconnect power to the unit under test and
discharge all capacitors before taking any capacitance measurements. Remove the
batteries and unplug the line cords.
1. Set the rotary function switch to the green CAP position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative
COM jack.
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive V
jack.
3. Touch the test leads to the capacitor to be tested.
4. Read the capacitance value in the display
FREQUENCY (DUTY CYCLE) MEASUREMENTS (ELECTRONIC)
1. Set the rotary function switch to the green Hz/% position.
2. Insert the black lead banana plug into the negative COM jack
and the red test lead banana plug into the positive Hz jack.
3. Touch the test probe tips to the circuit under test.
4. Read the frequency on the display.
5. Press the MODE button to indicate “%”.
6. Read the % duty cycle in the display.