Greenlee PDMM-20 User manual

999 5193.2 REV 1 © 2004 Greenlee Textron Inc. 7/04
PDMM-20
Multimeter
Multímetro
Contrôleur
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
MANUEL D’INSTRUCTIONS
Read and understand all of the
instructions and safety information in
this manual before operating or
servicing this tool.
Lea y entienda todas las instrucciones
y la información sobre seguridad que
aparecen en este manual, antes de
manejar esta herramienta o darle
mantenimiento.
Lire attentivement et bien comprendre
toutes les instructions et les
informations sur la sécurité de ce
manuel avant d‘utiliser ou de procéder à
l‘entretien de cet outil.
Auto
V • Ω
SELECT
MAX
450V CAT II
300V CAT III

2
Description
The Greenlee PDMM-20 Multimeter is a hand-held testing
device with the following measurement capabilities:
•Automatic selection of AC voltage, DC voltage, and
resistance
•Manual selection of AC voltage, DC voltage, resistance,
continuity, capacitance, and frequency
It also has non-contact and single-probe voltage detection
capability.
Safety
Safety is essential in the use and maintenance of Greenlee
tools and equipment. This instruction manual and any
markings on the tool provide information for avoiding hazards
and unsafe practices related to the use of this tool. Observe all
of the safety information provided.
Purpose of This Manual
This instruction manual is intended to familiarize all personnel
with the safe operation and maintenance procedures for the
Greenlee PDMM-20.
Keep this manual available to all personnel. Replacement
manuals are available upon request at no charge.
KEEP THIS MANUAL
All specifications are nominal and may change as design
improvements occur. Greenlee Textron Inc. shall not be liable for
damages resulting from misapplication or misuse of its products.
® Registered: The color green for electrical test instruments is a
registered trademark of Greenlee Textron Inc.

3
PDMM-20
Important Safety Information
This symbol is used to call your attention to hazards or
unsafe practices which could result in an injury or property
damage. The signal word, defined below, indicates the
severity of the hazard. The message after the signal word
provides information for preventing or avoiding the hazard.
SAFETY ALERT
SYMBOL
Immediate hazards which, if not avoided, WILL result in
severe injury or death.
Hazards which, if not avoided, COULD result in severe
injury or death.
Hazards or unsafe practices which, if not avoided, MAY
result in injury or property damage.

4
Important Safety Information
Read and understand this material
before operating or servicing this
equipment. Failure to understand how
to safely operate this tool could result
in an accident causing serious injury
or death.
Electric shock hazard:
Contact with live circuits could result
in severe injury or death.
Electric shock hazard:
• Do not apply more than the rated voltage between any
two input terminals, or between any input terminal and
earth ground.
•Do not contact the test lead tips or any uninsulated
portion of the accessory.
Failure to observe these warnings could result in severe
injury or death.

5
PDMM-20
Important Safety Information
Electric shock and fire hazard:
•Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
•Do not use the unit if it is wet or damaged.
•Inspect the test leads or accessory before use. They
must be clean and dry, and the insulation must be in
good condition.
•Use this unit for the manufacturer’s intended purpose
only, as described in this manual. Any other use can
impair the protection provided by the unit.
Failure to observe these warnings could result in severe
injury or death.
Electric shock hazard:
• Do not operate with the case or battery cover open.
•Before opening the case or battery cover, remove the
test leads from the circuit and shut off the unit.
Failure to observe these warnings could result in severe
injury or death.

6
Important Safety Information
NOTE: The test leads of this unit are not removable. Do not
attempt to remove them.
Electric shock hazard:
•Do not change the measurement function while the test
leads are connected to a component or circuit.
•Do not use the meter to measure voltages in circuits
that could be damaged by the Auto V•Ωmode’s low
input impedance (approximately 160 kΩ).
•Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-
serviceable parts.
•Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or
high humidity. Refer to “Specifications.”
Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury
and can damage the unit.
Electric shock hazard:
•Unless measuring voltage, shut off and lock out power.
Make sure that all capacitors are discharged. Voltage
must not be present.
•Using this unit near equipment that generates
electromagnetic interference can result in unstable or
inaccurate readings.
Failure to observe these warnings could result in severe
injury or death.

7
PDMM-20
Identification
1. LCD display
2. Selector button
3. Negative, common (COM), or
ground input terminal for all
measurements
4. Positive (+) input terminal for
all measurements
5. EF antenna
Auto
V • Ω
SELECT
MAX
450V CAT II
300V CAT III
1
2
3
4
5
Display Icons
6. Automatic ranging is enabled
7. Low battery indicator
8. µmicro (10-6)
9. F Farad
10. n nano (10-9)
11. O.L Overload indicator
12. m milli (10-3)
13. V Volts
14. M Mega (106)
15. k kilo (103)
16. ΩOhms
17. Hz Hertz
18. AC measurement is selected
19. Low input impedance is active
20. –Polarity indicator
Symbols on the Unit
Warning—Read the instruction manual
Double insulation
Note: Unidentified
icons are not used on
this model.
8–10
11
12–17
20
6 7
1819

8
Using the Features
•Low Impedance Auto V•ΩMode In this mode, the meter
automatically selects the proper measurement based on the
input.
–If there is no input, “Auto” appears on the display.
–If voltage above approximately 2 volts AC or DC is
present, voltage is displayed. The meter beeps once
when switching from Auto to voltage measurement.
–If both AC and DC voltages are present, the larger
voltage is displayed.
– If no voltage is present and there is resistance less than
6 MΩ, resistance is displayed.
This mode features low input impedance to mask stray or
“ghost” voltage pickup. The input impedance is approxi-
mately 160 kΩ.
Overload Alert Feature: When above rated voltage is
present (450 V), the meter displays “OL”, with a warning
beep tone. Disconnect the test leads from the voltage source
immediately.
Function Lock Feature: When a measurement is being
displayed in Auto V•Ωmode, pressing the button one time
will lock in that function. Pressing the button again will
return the multimeter to Auto V•Ωmode. It is sometimes
useful to “lock in” a function. This may be helpful for
measuring low voltages.
•Intelligent Automatic Power Off (APO) To extend battery
life, the meter shuts itself off after approximately 3 minutes
of inactivity. Inactivity occurs when the selector button is not
pressed. The meter will not enter APO when there are
significant readings over 10% of the range or non-OL
readings for resistance and continuity.

9
PDMM-20
Operation
Electric shock hazard:
•Do not change the measurement function while the test
leads are connected to a component or circuit.
•Do not use the meter to measure voltages in circuits
that could be damaged by the Auto V•Ωmode’s low
input impedance (approximately 160 kΩ).
Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury
and can damage the unit.
Electric shock hazard:
Contact with live circuits could result
in severe injury or death.

10
Operation (cont’d)
1. Press and hold the selector button for 1 second to turn the
meter on. The default mode is Auto V•Ω.
2. The Settings Table shows the meter’s functions. To change
to the next function, momentarily press the selector
button. Refer to “Typical Measurements” for specific
measurement instructions.
3. Test the unit on a known functioning circuit or component.
•If the unit does not function as expected on a known
functioning circuit, reset the microprocessor by pressing
and holding the selector button for 6 seconds.
•If the unit still does not function as expected, replace the
battery.
•If the unit still does not function as expected, send the
unit to Greenlee for repair. Refer to the instructions
under the Warranty.
4. Take the reading from the circuit or component to be
tested.