General CA10 User manual

AC CIRCUIT ANALYZER
USER’S MANUAL
CA10
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

INTRODUCTION
The CA10 is a special-purpose electrical tester designed to quickly identify and
locate single faults in low-voltage (120VAC) distribution lines (branch circuits).
It can also test the reliability and response time of GFCIs (ground fault circuit
interrupters) and RCDs (residual current devices) and check the wiring of outlet
sockets. The instrument’s ease of use, versatility and accuracy make it the ideal
electrician’s tool for preventing shocks, sparks, electrical fires, equipment
damage and poor equipment performance.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introdu tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Safety Instru tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What's in the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Produ t Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setup Instru tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Atta h Test Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Operating Instru tions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 – 13
Measuring Voltage Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –7
Measuring Voltage Drop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 –8
Measuring Condu tor Impedan e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 – 11
Testing Residual Current Devi es (RCDs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Testing Ground Fault Cir uit Interrupters (GFCIs). . . . . . . . . . . 12
Testing Outlet Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 13
Other Fun tions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Spe ifi ations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Operating & Maintenan e Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 – 15
Repla ing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Housekeeping Hints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 – 15
Warranty Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Return for Repair Poli y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

KEY FEATURES
• Measures a branch circuit’s line voltage, peak voltage, neutral-to-ground
voltage and frequency
• Calculates a circuit’s voltage drop in response to a 12A, 15A or 20A load in
order to check the circuit's integrity
• Measures the impedance of hot, neutral and ground conductors as well as
available short-circuit current (ASCC)
• Tests the reliability and response time of GFCIs (ground fault circuit
interrupters) and RCDs (residual current devices)
• Measures and displays True RMS values of all voltages except peak
voltages
• Identifies wiring configurations and detects wiring faults and missing
ground wires
• Compatible with 2- and 3-phase circuits
• 2.4 in. diagonal LCD with 30-second backlight
• Familiar menu/sub-menu operation
• Data hold and 30-minute auto power off functions
• Includes 6 ft. long test cable and standard tripod mount
• Powered by six “AAA” batteries (included)
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING! 
xercise caution when working with exposed wiring.
Do not use this instrument on circuits carrying voltages higher than 120VAC.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The CA10 comes in an illustrated box containing a soft canvas carrying case.
Inside the case are the instrument, a 6 ft. (1.83m) long test cable, six “AAA”
batteries and this user’s manual.
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PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Fig. 1 shows the controls, indicators
and physical features of the CA10.
Familiarize yourself with their names
and functions before moving on to
the Setup Instructions and Operating
Instructions.
Fig. 2 shows all possible indications
on the CA10’s LCD.
1. Test cable socket
2. LCD
3. (POW R on/off) button
4. F NC button
5. HOLD button
6. (Backlight) button
7. Submenu (up one line) button
8. Submenu (down one line) button
9. TEST button
10. Battery compartment (on back)
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Fig. 1. The controls, display and
physical features of the CA10
Fig. 2. All possible indications
on the CA10’s LCD
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SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL BATTERIES
The CA10 is powered by six “AAA” batteries (included).
To install the batteries:
1. Turn the unit over.
2. Remove the one Philips-head screw securing the battery compartment cover
(Figure 1, Callout 10) and set it aside.
3. Remove the battery compartment cover and set it aside as well.
4. Install the six supplied “AAA” batteries in the compartment, making sure to
match the polarity marks on the batteries with the marks stenciled inside the
compartment.
5. Replace the battery compartment cover and secure it with the Philips-head
screw.
ATTACH TEST CABLE
The test cable included with the CA10 has a plug compatible with American-
style 110VAC sockets. To attach the cable, plug it into the three-pronged socket
at the top of the CA10 (Fig. 1, Callout 1).
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The symbols of the five main parameters/functions tested by the CA10—
voltage (V), voltage drop (Vd), conductor impedance (Z), RCD performance and
GFCI performance—are shown below as they appear on the bottom line of the
LCD. Use the F NC button to move from any test to the test on its right. When a
test is selected, the border around its text icon is highlighted.
MEASURING VOLTAGE PARAMETERS
The CA10 can measure four parameters of an AC circuit voltage: 1) the True
RMS value of its phase voltage (L-N), 2) the True RMS voltage to earth (ground)
of its neutral line (N-E), 3) the peak value of the voltage (Peak), and 4) the
frequency of the voltage. ach of the first three parameters is measured and
displayed by choosing it from a submenu made available after the F NC button
has been used to select V. By contrast, the frequency of each of the three
parameters is displayed on the top line of the LCD.
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To begin, plug the free end of the test cable into any outlet of the circuit to be
tested. Press the or button to cycle through the three submenu options
in either direction, as shown in the figure below. The text icon of the parameter
being measured appears at the left of the display. The table below the figure
shows the normal measurement result for each of the four parameters. It also
lists possible causes of, and remedies for, abnormal results.
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Parameter
Phase Voltage
L-N (Nominal
Voltage ± 10％)
Voltage to earth
of neutral line
N-E
Peak Voltage
(1.414 x Phase
Voltage, or TRMS
value of Phase
Voltage)
Frequency
Normal
Measurement
Result
108 to 132V
<2V
121 to 262V
60Hz
Actual Result
Voltage is too
high or too low
>2V
Voltage is too
high or too low
Frequency is too
high or too low
Possible Cause
of Abnormal
Result
Circuit is overloaded
High impedance
point(s) in breaker
box or circuit
Supply voltage is
too high or too low
Leakage current
Three-phase
imbalance
Harmonic
interference
Supply voltage is
too high or too low
lectronic device in
circuit is distorting
the AC sine wave
Supply frequency is
too high or too low
Remedy
Redistribute circuit load
Visually inspect all
connection points to detect
or rule out loose
connections and defective
outlets. If none are
apparent, locate points of
high impedance using an
infrared thermometer (IRT)
to detect their heat, or a
voltmeter to detect
excessive voltage drops
across parts. Repair or
replace defective
wiring/parts.
Consult your electricity
provider
Find source of leakage
(a multi-point ground,
a device or piece of
equipment) and repair
or replace
Check and redistribute load
Install spectral filter or take
other steps to reduce
interference
Consult your electricity
provider
Identify and relocate (if
necessary) the device
Consult your electricity
provider

Troubleshooting tips: 1) In a single-phase circuit, if the value of L-N is high
the leakage current in the neutral line or the earth line will also be high. 2) In a
three-phase circuit with a neutral line, if the value of N- is high the three-
phase load is either unbalanced or the neutral line is affected by harmonic
interference.
MEASURING VOLTAGE DROP
The CA10 can calculate and display a circuit’s voltage drop in response to
application of a 12A, 15A or 20A dummy load. In all three cases, the voltage
drop displayed on-screen as a percentage is based on the True RMS value of
the drop on the circuit’s phase (live) line.
To select the voltage drop test, press the F NC button until Vd is highlighted.
Then, for 120V circuits, press the or button to select the 15A or 20A
test (see figure below) to match the rating (maximum load) of the circuit.
Alternatively, select the 12A test for a 15A or 20A circuit to avoid tripping the
breaker of a “preloaded” circuit (i.e., a circuit serving other loads during the
load test).
To begin, plug the free end of the test cable into the branch circuit’s outlet that
is furthest from the breaker box (distribution panel). Press the TEST button
(Fig. 1, Callout 9) to initiate the test. The test result, a percentage, will appear
on the lower readout of the display.
The normal measurement result of the voltage drop test is a number less than
8%. If your result for the most distant outlet in the circuit is <8%, there is no
need to check any other outlet(s) of the circuit closer to the breaker box. If your
result is greater than 8%, repeat the test on the outlet that is next-closest to
the breaker box. Keep repeating the test until you get a normal measurement
result. A voltage drop of more than 8% is usually caused by loose connections,
poorly spliced conductors, or conductors that are too thin for the circuit’s load.
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The table below lists the possible causes of an abnormal result and suggests
remedies and additional troubleshooting steps to take.
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Parameter
Voltage drop
Normal
Measurement
Result
0 to 8%
Actual Result
Voltage drop is
too high
Possible Cause
of Abnormal
Result
Circuit is overloaded
Conductors are too
thin for circuit
length and/or
circuit’s current
High impedance
point(s) in breaker
box or circuit
Remedy
Redistribute load
Replace wiring with
heavier-gauge conductors
suitable for circuit’s rating
Visually inspect all
connection points to detect
or rule out loose
connections and splices,
broken or improperly
attached twist-on
connectors (wire nuts), and
defective outlets. If none
are apparent, locate points
of high impedance using an
infrared thermometer (IRT)
to detect their heat, or a
voltmeter to detect
excessive voltage drops
across parts. Alternatively,
run the Z-L and Z-N
impedance tests described
in the next section on the
hot and neutral conductors;
if one conductor produces
a much higher reading than
the other, it is defective.
Repair or replace defective
wiring/parts.

MEASURING CONDUCTOR IMPEDANCE
The CA10 can measure and display the impedance of all three circuit
conductors as well as one impedance-related parameter (available short-circuit
current, or ASCC). The three impedance values represent the impedances of the
phase (live) line (Z-L), the neutral line (Z-N), and the earth (ground) line (Z-E).
Available short-circuit current is a measure of the amount of current that would
pass through the circuit’s breaker if all of its conductors were to be short-
circuited. It is calculated as Phase Voltage/(Live line impedance + Neutral line
impedance). Using the terminology of the CA10: ASCC = (L-N)/(Z-L) + (Z-N).
ach of the four impedance parameters is measured and displayed by choosing
it from a submenu made available after the F NC button has been used to
select Z.
To begin, plug the free end of the test cable into any outlet of the circuit to be
tested. Press the or button to cycle through the four submenu options
in either direction, as shown in the figure below. The text icon of the parameter
selected for measurement appears at the left of the display. To initiate any test,
press the TEST button.
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The table below the figure shows the normal measurement result for each of
the four parameters. It also lists possible causes of, and remedies for, abnormal
results.
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Parameter
Impedance of
live and neutral
conductors
(Z-L and Z-N)
Impedance of
ground
conductor (Z- )
Normal
Measurement
Result
<0.15Ω/m for
14AWG conductor
<0.1Ω/m for
12AWG conductor
<0.03Ω/m for
10AWG line
<1Ω for personnel
safety
<0.25Ω for
equipment safety
Actual Result
Impedance is too
high
Impedance is
too high
Possible Cause
of Abnormal
Result
Circuit is overloaded
Conductor is too thin
for circuit length
and/or circuit’s
current rating
High impedance
point(s) in circuit or
breaker box
Conductor is too thin
for circuit length
and/or circuit’s
current rating
High impedance
point(s) in circuit or
breaker box
Remedy
Redistribute circuit load
Replace wiring with
heavier-gauge conductors
suitable for circuit’s rating
Visually inspect all
connection points to detect
or rule out loose
connections and defective
outlets. If none are
apparent, locate points of
high impedance using an
infrared thermometer (IRT)
to detect their heat, or a
voltmeter to detect
excessive voltage drops
across parts. Repair or
replace defective
wiring/parts.
Replace wiring with
heavier-gauge conductors
suitable for circuit’s
rating
Visually inspect all
connection points to detect
or rule out loose
connections and defective
outlets. If none are
apparent, locate points of
high impedance using an
infrared thermometer (IRT)
to detect their heat, or a
voltmeter to detect
excessive voltage drops
across parts. Alternatively,
run the Z-L and Z-N
impedance tests on the
hot and neutral conductors;
if one conductor produces
a much higher reading
than the other, it is
defective. Repair or
replace defective
wiring/parts.