Gossen MetraWatt METRA MAX 12 User manual

METRA MAX12
Analog-Digital Multimeter
Operating Instructions
3-348-820-02
18/6.17

2 GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH
2
134
6
789
10
11
MAN
AUTO Hz
k
ni
u
M
mVA
F
HOLD MAX MIN
403020100
REL
5
F
Hz
mA
AV
V
400k
OFF
F
V
HOLD/ONMIN/MAXAUTO/MAN
Hz mA
A
OFF
V
MAN
AUTO Hzk
ni u
M
mVA
F
HOLD MAX MIN
403020100
REL
400k
REL
2
5
1
3
4
7
6
FUNC
mA
600V
AVF
600 V CAT II / 300 V CAT III
400mA fused 10A fused
max.
600 V !

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GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH 3
Operating and Connector Elements
1 Connector Jacks
2LCDDisplay
3HOLD/ON: Measurement Value Storage Key / On Switch
4MIN/MAX: Key for Storage of Minimum or Maximum Value
5 Selector Switch for OFF and Measurement Function Selection
6AUTO/MAN: Key for Manual Measurement
7 Multifunction Key
Display
1 Digital Display with Decimal Point and Polarity Indicator
2 Low Battery Display
3 REL, HOLD, and MIN and MAX Display
4 Continuity Test Display:
Loudspeaker symbol appears when acoustic signal is activated
5 Diode Measurement Display
6 Unit of Measure Display
7 Exceeded Measuring Range Display
8 Pointer for Analog Display
9 Analog Display Scale
10 Display for Manual or Automatic Measuring Range Selection
11 Display of Selected Current Type

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Contents Page
1 Safety Features and Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 Initial Start-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Selecting Measuring Functions and Ranges . . . . . 8
3.1 Measuring Function Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 Automatic Measuring Range Selection . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.3 Manual Measuring Range Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.4 Quick Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4 LCD Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1 Digital Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 Analog Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5 Acoustic Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6 Measurement Value Storage “HOLD” . . . . . . . . . 10
7 Storing Minimum or Maximum Values
“MIN/MAX” Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
8 Voltage Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
9 Current Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
9.1 AC Measurement with (Clip-On) Current
Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
10 Continuity Testing and Resistance Measurement 15
11 Diode Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
12 Capacitance Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
13 Frequency Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
14 Characteristic Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
15 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
15.1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
15.2 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
15.3 Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
15.4 Recalibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
16 Product Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
17 Repair and Replacement Parts Service
Calibration Center and Rental Instrument Service 27

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1 Safety Features and Precautions
You have selected an instrument which provides you with a
high level of safety.
This instrument fulfills the requirements of the applicable
EU guidelines and national regulations. We confirm this
with the CE marking. The relevant declaration of conformity
can be obtained from GMC-I Messtechnik GmbH.
The instrument is manufactured and tested in accordance
with safety regulations IEC 61010–1:2010/DIN EN 61010–
1:2011/VDE 0411–1:2011. When properly used, safety of
the operator, as well as that of the instrument, is assured.
Their safety is however not guaranteed, if the instrument is
used improperly or handled carelessly.
In order to maintain flawless technical safety conditions, and to
assure safe use, it is imperative that you read the operating
instructions thoroughly and carefully before placing your instru-
ment into service, and that you follow all instructions contained
therein.
Observe the following safety precautions:
• The instrument may only be operated by persons who
are capable of recognizing contact hazards and taking
the appropriate safety precautions. Contact hazards
exist anywhere, where voltages of greater than 33 V may
occur (effective value).
• Avoid working alone when taking measurements which
involve contact hazards. Be certain that a second person
is present.
• The maximum allowable voltage between any given connector
jack (1) and earth is equal to 600 V CAT II.
• Be prepared for the occurrence of unexpected voltages
at devices under test (e.g. defective devices). For exam-
ple, capacitors can be dangerously charged.
• Make certain that the measurement cables are in flaw-
less condition, e.g. no damage to insulation, no interrup-
tions in cables or plugs etc.
• No measurements may be made with this instrument in
electrical circuits with corona discharge (high-voltage).
• Special care is required when measurements are made
in HF electrical circuits. Dangerous pulsating voltages
may be present.
• Measurements under moist ambient conditions are not
allowable.
• Be absolutely certain that the measuring ranges are not
overloaded beyond their allowable capacities. Limit val-
ues can be found in the table “Measuring Ranges” in
chapter 14 "Characteristic Values".

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• All current ranges are equipped with fuses. The maxi-
mum allowable voltage for the measuring current circuit
(= nominal voltage of the fuse) is equal to 600 V .
•The device may only be used for measurements of category
CAT II 600 V or CAT III 300 V. Please refer to the table of mea-
suring categories below regarding the range of application.
Measuring Categories and their Meaning per IEC 61010-1
The measurement category and the relevant maximum
rated voltage (e. g. 300 V CAT III) which are shown on the
instrument casing apply to your measuring instrument.
Application of cable set KS17-2
Attention!
Please observe the maximum values of the electrical
safety of the device.
In conformity with standard DIN EN 61010-031,
measurements in an environment according to
measuring category III and IV may only be per-
formed with the safety cap applied to the test
probe of the measurement cable.
For establishing contact in 4 mm jacks you have to remove
the safety cap by levering out the snap lock of the safety
cap with another sharp object (e.g. the second test probe).
Electrical Safety of cable set KS17-2
CAT Definition
I
Measurements in electrical circuits not directly connected
to the mains system:
e. g. power systems in motor vehicles or aeroplanes,
batteries ...
II
Measurements in electrical circuits directly connected to
the low-voltage system: via plug, e.g. in households,
offices, laboratories ...
III
Measurements in facility installations:
stationary consumers, distributor connections, devices
attached to a distributor
IV
Measurements at the source of low-voltage installations:
Meters, main terminal, primary overcurrent protection
devices
Maximum Rated Voltage
600 V 1000 V 1000 V
Measuring Category
CAT IV CAT I II CAT II
Maximum Rated Current 1 A 1 A 16 A
with safety cap applied —
without safety cap applied — — 

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–
Meaning of symbols on the instrument
Warning concerning a point of danger
(Attention: observe documentation)
Earth
Continuous, doubled or reinforced
insulation
Indicates EU conformity
This device may not be disposed of with the trash.
Further information regarding the WEEE mark can be
accessed on the Internet at www.gossenmetrawatt.com
by entering the search term ’WEEE’.
Repair, Parts Replacement and Balancing
When the instrument is opened, voltage conducting parts
may be exposed. The instrument must be disconnected
from the measuring circuit for repair, replacement of parts
or balancing. If repair or balancing of a live, open instru-
ment is required, this may only be carried out by trained
personnel who are familiar with the dangers involved.
Errors and Extraordinary Strains
If it may be assumed that the instrument can no longer be
operated safely, it must be removed from service and
secured against unintentional use.
Safe operation can no longer be relied upon,
• if the instrument demonstrates visible damage,
• if the instrument no longer functions,
• after a long period of storage under unfavorable condi-
tions.
!

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2 Initial Start-Up
Battery
The instrument is delivered in operational condition with
batteries installed.
Please see chapter 15.1, page 23, before initial start-up of
your instrument, or after a lengthy period of storage.
Switching the Instrument On
➭Turn the selector switch from the OFF position to the
desired measuring range.
An acoustic signal acknowledges that the instrument has
been switched on. All of the LCD elements are activated
briefly. A drawing of the LCD can be found on page 2.
Note!
Electrical discharge and high frequency interfer-
ence can cause incorrect displays, and may
block the measuring sequence. To reset, switch
the instrument off, and then back on. If this pro-
cedure is unsuccessful, briefly disconnect the
battery from the contact terminals.
Attention!
Before opening, disconnect the instrument from
the measuring circuit and observe chapter 15,
page 23!
Automatic Shut-Down
Your instrument switches itself off automatically after
30 minutes, if no keys or the selector switch have been
activated during this time.
Switching the Instrument back On
➭Activate the HOLD/ON key. Press briefly twice.
Switching the Instrument Off
➭Turn the selector switch to the OFF position.
3 Selecting Measuring Functions and Ranges
3.1 Measuring Function Selection
The desired measuring function is selected with the selec-
tor switch (white or colored printing). In order to select the
function printed in color, the multifunction key must also be
pressed. If the multifunction key is pressed again, the func-
tion printed in white is reactivated.

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3.2 Automatic Measuring Range Selection
These multimeters are equipped with automatic measuring
range selection for all measuring ranges except for the
ranges 400 mV and 10 A. Automatic selection is func-
tional as soon as the instrument has been switched on.
The instrument automatically selects the measuring range
in accordance with the applied measuring magnitude,
which provides for optimum resolution.
The instrument switches automatically to:
3.3 Manual Measuring Range Selection
You can deactivate automatic measuring range selection
and select and define the ranges manually in accordance
with the following table.
➭First select the desired measuring function with the
selector switch and, if appropriate, the multifunction key.
➭Briefly activate the AUTO/MAN key.
Manual operation is deactivated if you press and hold the
AUTO/MAN key until you hear a second acoustic signal,
and the display switches from MAN to AUTO.
When switching back to automatic operation in the
400 mV range occurs, the 4 V range is activated.
3.4 Quick Measurements
If you wish to perform quicker measurements than those
possible with the automatic measuring range selection
function, the appropriate measuring range must be fixed by
the function “Manual Meas. Range Selection”, see above.
the next highest range at (3999 D + 1 D)
the next lowest range at (380 D – 1 D)

AUTO/
MAN
Function
Acknowledgement
Display Acoust.
Signal
Brief Manual Operation ON:
Measuring Range is defined MAN 1 x
Brief
Switching Sequence at:
V : 400 mV  V40 V 400 V 600 V 
400 mV 4V...
V/: 4V40 V 400 V 600 V 400 mV ...
mA : 40 mA 400 mA 40 mA ...
mA /: 40 mA 400 mA 40 mA ...
:40M400 4k40 k400k
4000 k40 M...
F : 4 nF 40 nF 400 nF 4 F40 F ...
MAN 1 x
Long Return to Automatic Range Selection AUTO 2 x
V
AUTO/MAN AUTO/MAN
V
V
Example: manual meas. range selection for volts DC

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4LCDDisplay
4.1 Digital Display
The digital display shows the measurement value, decimal
point and sign. The selected unit of measure and type of
current are displayed. A minus sign appears in front of the
digits for the measurement of direct magnitudes, if the
positive pole of the measurement magnitude is applied to
the “” input. A blinking “4000” appears if the measuring
range upper limit of 3999 is exceeded.
The digital display is updated twice per second for V, A and
measurements.
4.2 Analog Display
The analog bar display, which demonstrates the dynamic
performance of a moving coil mechanism, is updated
20 times per second for V, A and measurements. This is
especially advantageous for the observation of measure-
ment value fluctuations and for balancing.
5 Acoustic Signal
The following sequence steps are acknowledged by an
acoustic signal:
• New measurement function selection
• Activation or deactivation of the following functions:
AUTO/MAN, MIN/MAX or HOLD
A repetitive acoustic signal indicates that a function cannot
be selected, or an operator error.
6 Measurement Value Storage “HOLD”
By pressing the HOLD/ON key, the currently displayed
measurement value can be “held”, and “Hold” is simultane-
ously displayed.
The Hold display is deactivated if:
• the Hold key is reactivated
• the selector switch is activated
• the multifunction key is activated for a change of func-
tion, e.g. AC DC.