HT Instruments MERCURY User manual
Copyright HT ITALIA 2018 Release EN 1.00 - 08/05/2018
ENGLISH
User manual
MERCURY
EN - 1
Table of contents
1.PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY MEASURES...............................................................2
1.1.Preliminary instructions..................................................................................................... 3
1.2.During use......................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.After use............................................................................................................................ 3
1.4.Definition of Measurement (Overvoltage) category........................................................... 4
2.GENERAL DESCRIPTION...........................................................................................5
2.1.Measuring average values andTRMS values.................................................................... 5
3.PREPARATION FOR USE...........................................................................................6
3.1.Initial checks...................................................................................................................... 6
3.2.Instrument power supply................................................................................................... 6
3.3.Storage.............................................................................................................................. 6
4.NOMENCLATURE........................................................................................................7
4.1.Description of the instrument............................................................................................. 7
4.2.Description of function keys .............................................................................................. 9
4.2.1.Key HOLD/ESC.......................................................................................................................... 9
4.2.2.Key RANGE................................................................................................................................ 9
4.2.3.Key MODE.................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2.4.Key IR/ ................................................................................................................................ 9
4.2.5.Key MENU.................................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.Description of internal functions...................................................................................... 10
4.3.1.Description of the display, Multimeter section.......................................................................... 10
4.3.2.Description of the display, Thermal camera section................................................................. 11
4.3.3.AC+DC current and voltage measurement .............................................................................. 11
4.3.4.Storage of measurement results .............................................................................................. 12
4.3.5.Relative measurement.............................................................................................................. 12
4.3.6.MIN/MAX and PEAK measurement ......................................................................................... 13
4.3.7.Detection of AC voltage without contact................................................................................... 13
4.3.8.General menu of the instrument............................................................................................... 14
5.OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS...................................................................................20
5.1.DC, AC+DC voltage measurement ................................................................................. 20
5.2.AC voltage measurement................................................................................................ 21
5.3.Frequency and Duty Cycle measurement....................................................................... 22
5.4.Resistance measurement and continuity test.................................................................. 23
5.5.Diode test........................................................................................................................ 24
5.6.Capacitance measurement ............................................................................................. 25
5.7.Temperature measurement with K-type probe................................................................ 26
5.8.DC, AC+DC current measurement.................................................................................. 27
5.9.AC current measurement................................................................................................ 28
5.10.Measurement of DC, AC, AC+DC current with clamp transducers................................. 29
5.11.Data Logger function....................................................................................................... 30
5.12.Use of the internal thermal camera................................................................................. 34
5.13.Bluetooth connection and use of the APP HTMercury.................................................... 36
6.MAINTENANCE .........................................................................................................37
6.1.Recharging the internal battery....................................................................................... 37
6.2.Replacement of internal fuses......................................................................................... 37
6.3.Cleaning the instrument .................................................................................................. 37
6.4.End of life ........................................................................................................................ 37
7.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................38
7.1.Technical characteristics................................................................................................. 38
7.2.General characteristics.................................................................................................... 41
7.3.Accessories..................................................................................................................... 42
7.3.1.Accessories provided ............................................................................................................... 42
7.3.2.Optional accessories................................................................................................................ 42
8.ASSISTANCE.............................................................................................................43
8.1.Warranty conditions......................................................................................................... 43
8.2.Assistance....................................................................................................................... 43
MERCURY
EN - 2
1. PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY MEASURES
The instrument has been designed in compliance with directive IEC/EN61010-1 relevant to
electronic measuring instruments. For your safety and in order to prevent damaging the
instrument, please carefully follow the procedures described in this manual and read all
notes preceded by symbol with the utmost attention. Before and after carrying out
measurements, carefully observe the following instructions:
CAUTION
Do not carry out any measurements in case gas, explosive materials or
flammables are present, or in humid or dusty environments.
Do not carry out any measurement in case you find anomalies in the
instrument such as deformation, breaks, substance leaks, absence of
display on the screen, etc.
Avoid any contact with the circuit being measured if no measurements are
being carried out.
A
void contact with exposed metal parts, with unused measuring probes,
circuits, etc.
Pay special attention when measuring voltages higher than 20V, since a risk
of electrical shock exists
Keep the instrument steady during any measuring operation.
Do not carry out any measurements which exceed the working and storage
temperature ranges specified in § 7.2
Only the accessories provided together with the instrument will guarantee
safety standards. They must be used only if in good conditions and
replaced with identical models, when necessary.
Check that the battery is correctly inserted.
Check that the LCD display gives indications consistent with the function
selected.
Do not direct the instrument at very high intensity radiation sources (e.g. the
sun) in order to prevent damaging the IR sensor.
Prevent hits or strong vibrations in order to keep the instrument from
damage.
When bringing the instrument from a cold to a hot environment, leave it on
long enough for condensation water to evaporate.
In this manual, and on the instrument, the following symbols are used:
Warning: observe the instructions given in this manual; improper use could
damage the instrument or its components.
High voltage danger: electrical shock hazard.
Double-insulated meter
AC voltage or current
DC voltage or current
Connection to earth
This symbol on the display means that the instrument is able to emit a laser
pointer in Class 2. Do not direct the radiation towards the eyes in order to
prevent physical damage to people.
MERCURY
EN - 3
1.1. PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS
This instrument has been designed for use in environments of pollution degree 2.
It can be used for VOLTAGE and CURRENT measurements on installations with CAT
IV 600V and CAT III 1000V.
We recommend following the normal safety rules devised by the procedures for
carrying out operations on live systems and using the prescribed PPE to protect the
user against dangerous currents and the instrument against incorrect use.
In case the lack of indication of the presence of voltage may represent a danger for the
operator, always carry out a continuity measurement before carrying out the
measurement on the live system, in order to confirm the correct connection and
condition of the leads.
Only the leads supplied with the instrument guarantee compliance with the safety
standards. They must be in good conditions and be replaced with identical models,
when necessary.
Do not test circuits exceeding the specified voltage limits.
Do not perform any test under environmental conditions exceeding the limits indicated
in § 7.2
Check that the battery is correctly inserted.
Make sure that the LCD display and the rotary switch indicate the same function.
1.2. DURING USE
Please carefully read the following recommendations and instructions:
CAUTION
Failure to comply with the caution notes and/or instructions may damage
the instrument and/or its components or be a source of danger for the
operator.
Before activating the rotary switch, disconnect the test leads from the circuit being
measured.
When the instrument is connected to the circuit being measured, do not touch any
unused terminal.
Do not measure resistance in case external voltages are present; even if the
instrument is protected, an excessive voltage may cause malfunction.
While measuring, if the value or the sign of the quantity being measured remain
unchanged, check if the HOLD function is enabled.
1.3. AFTER USE
When measurement is complete, set the rotary switch to OFF to switch off the
instrument.
If the instrument is not to be used for a long time, remove the battery.
MERCURY
EN - 4
1.4. DEFINITION OF MEASUREMENT (OVERVOLTAGE) CATEGORY
Standard “IEC/EN61010-1: Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement,
control and laboratory use, Part 1: General requirements”, defines what measurement
category, commonly called overvoltage category, is. § 6.7.4: Measured circuits, reads:
(OMISSIS)
Circuits are divided into the following measurement categories:
Measurement category IV is for measurements performed at the source of the low-
voltage installation.
Examples are electricity meters and measurements on primary overcurrent protection
devices and ripple control units.
Measurement category III is for measurements performed on installations inside
buildings.
Examples are measurements on distribution boards, circuit breakers, wiring, including
cables, bus-bars, junction boxes, switches, socket-outlets in the fixed installation, and
equipment for industrial use and some other equipment, for example, stationary motors
with permanent connection to fixed installation.
Measurement category II is for measurements performed on circuits directly
connected to the low-voltage installation.
Examples are measurements on household appliances, portable tools and similar
equipment.
Measurement category I is for measurements performed on circuits not directly
connected to MAINS.
Examples are measurements on circuits not derived from MAINS, and specially
protected (internal) MAINS-derived circuits. In the latter case, transient stresses are
variable; for that reason, the standard requires that the transient withstand capability of
the equipment is made known to the user.
MERCURY
EN - 5
2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The instrument has the following features:
Multimeter function
DC/ AC / AC+DC TRMS voltage
DC / AC / AC+DC TRMS current
DC / AC / AC+DC TRMS current with clamp transducer
Resistance and Continuity test
Diode test
Capacity
Frequency
Duty Cycle
Temperature with K-type probe
Data Logger function and display of graphs of measured data
Storage of BMP images on external micro SD card
Thermal camera function
Infrared temperature measurement ranging from -20°C to 260°C
3 measuring cursors (central steady + hot spot + cold spot)
Emissivity of materials which can be selected between 0.01 and 1.00
Image frequency: 50Hz
5 selectable color palettes
Automatic detection of hot/cold spots of the image
Storage of BMP images on external micro SD card
IR sensor resolution: 80x80pxl
Bluetooth connection to mobile devices through the APP HTMercury
Built-in laser pointer and illuminator
Each of these functions can be selected by means of the appropriate switch. The
instrument is also equipped with function keys (see § 4.2), analogue bargraph and LCD
TFT high-contrast color display. The instrument is also equipped with an Auto Power OFF
function which automatically switches off the instrument after a certain (programmable)
idling time.
2.1. MEASURING AVERAGE VALUES ANDTRMS VALUES
Measuring instruments of alternating quantities are divided into two big families:
AVERAGE-VALUE meters: instruments measuring the value of the sole wave at
fundamental frequency (50 or 60 Hz).
TRMS (True Root Mean Square) VALUE meters: instruments measuring the TRMS
value of the quantity being tested.
With a perfectly sinusoidal wave, the two families of instruments provide identical results.
With distorted waves, instead, the readings shall differ. Average-value meters provide the
RMS value of the sole fundamental wave; TRMS meters, instead, provide the RMS value
of the whole wave, including harmonics (within the instruments bandwidth). Therefore, by
measuring the same quantity with instruments from both families, the values obtained are
identical only if the wave is perfectly sinusoidal. In case it is distorted, TRMS meters shall
provide higher values than the values read by average-value meters.
MERCURY
EN - 6
3. PREPARATION FOR USE
3.1. INITIAL CHECKS
Before shipping, the instrument has been checked from an electric as well as mechanical
point of view. All possible precautions have been taken so that the instrument is delivered
undamaged.
However, we recommend generally checking the instrument in order to detect possible
damage suffered during transport. In case anomalies are found, immediately contact the
forwarding agent.
We also recommend checking that the packaging contains all components indicated in §
7.3.1. In case of discrepancy, please contact the Dealer.
In case the instrument should be returned, please follow the instructions given in § 7.
3.2. INSTRUMENT POWER SUPPLY
The instrument is powered by 1x7.4V rechargeable Li-ION battery included in the
package. When the battery is flat, the symbol “” appears on the display. For battery
recharge, please refer to § 6.1.
3.3. STORAGE
In order to guarantee precise measurement, after a long storage time, wait for the
instrument to come back to normal condition (see § 7.2).
MERCURY
EN - 7
4. NOMENCLATURE
4.1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT
CAPTION:
1. AC voltage detector
2. LCD display
3. Key MENU
4. Key MODE
5. Key HOLD/ESC
6. Key RANGE
7. Key IR/
8. Rotary selector switch
9. Input terminal 10A
10.Input terminal
VHz% CAP
11.Input terminal mAA
12.Input terminal COM
Fig. 1: Description of the instrument’s front
MERCURY
EN - 8
CAPTION:
1. Slot for belt insertion
2. Thermal camera lens
3. Lens protection selector
4. Laser pointer
5. White LED illuminator
6. Instrument support
7. Battery cover fastening
screw
Fig. 2: Description of the instrument’s back
CAPTION:
1. Battery
compartment cover
2. Battery cover
fastening screw
3. Internal battery
4. Protection fuses
5. Battery
compartment
6. Slot for micro SD
card insertion
Fig. 3: Description of the instrument’s internal pieces
MERCURY
EN - 9
4.2. DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTION KEYS
4.2.1. Key HOLD/ESC
Pressing key HOLD/ESC freezes the value of the measured quantity on the display. After
pressing this key, the message “HOLD” appears on the display. Press the key HOLD/ESC
again to quit the function. To save the value on the display, see § 4.3.4.
Key HOLD/ESC also allows quitting the programming menu, going back to the
instrument’s main measuring screen, and restores the display’s illumination with
instrument in Auto Power OFF mode.
4.2.2. Key RANGE
Press key RANGE to activate manual mode and disable the Autorange function. The
symbol “Manual Range” appears on the display. In manual mode, press key RANGE to
change measuring range: the relevant decimal point will change its position and the full
scale value in the bargraph will change too. Key RANGE is not active in positions ,,
Type K and 10A . In Autorange mode, the instrument selects the most appropriate ratio
for carrying out measurement. If a reading is higher than the maximum measurable value,
the indication “OL” appears on the display. Press and hold key RANGE for more than 1
second to exit the manual mode and restore the Autorange mode.
4.2.3. Key MODE
Pressing key MODE allows selecting a double function on the rotary switch. In particular, it
is active in position CAP for the selection of measurements for diode test, continuity
test, capacity test and measurement of resistance, in position TypeK for the selection of
temperature measurement in °C,°F or K, Hz% for the selection of frequency measurement
and duty cycle, Vfor the selection of measurements “mV ” and “V(AC+DC)” (see §
4.3.3), VHz% for the selection of AC voltage measurement, AC voltage frequency and
duty cycle of AC voltage, 10A , mA and µ A for the selection of AC, DC and
A(AC+DC) current measurement, for the selection of AC, DC and A (AC+DC) current
measurement, mV , LoZV ,mA , Aand for the selection of AC, DC and
AC+DC measurements with the use of clamp transducers (see § 5.10).
In position , pressing and holding (>2s) key MODE allows selecting the type of clamp,
Standard ( ) or Flexible ( ).
4.2.4. Key IR/
Pressing key IR/ allows displaying the multimeter section or the combination
multimeter + thermographic image (see § 5.12).
Pressing and holding (>2s) key IR/ allows turning on/off the internal white LED
illuminator (see Fig. 2 – part 5).
4.2.5. Key MENU
Key MENU, given by the combination of keys “” and ,,,, allows entering the
instrument’s programming section in order to set both system parameters and those
connected to the detection of the thermographic image (see § 4.3.8).
MERCURY
EN - 10
4.3. DESCRIPTION OF INTERNAL FUNCTIONS
4.3.1. Description of the display, Multimeter section
Fig. 4: Description of the symbols shown on the display
Symbol Description
Micro SD card inside the instrument
Indication of battery charge level
13.17 Indication of the system's current time
HOLD Indication of active Data HOLD function
V Indication of currently selected function
228.5 Indication of measured value
Auto Range Indication of active Autorange function
Manual Range Indication of active Manual Range function
Indication of presence of high voltage
Indication of analogue bargraph
Max Indication of maximum value of measured quantity
Min Indication of minimum value of measured quantity
Pmax Indication of maximum peak value of measured quantity
Pmin Indication of minimum peak value of measured quantity
MAX Activation of MAX/MIN with arrow key
REL Activation of REL function with arrow key
PEAK Activation of Pmax/Pmin with arrow key
SAVE Activation of image storage with arrow key
Activation of duty cycle test
MERCURY
EN - 11
4.3.2. Description of the display, Thermal camera section
Fig. 5: Description of the symbols shown on the display
Symbol Description
E=0.95 Set value of object emissivity (see § 4.3.8)
°C Indication of the temperature measuring unit
S Indication of the temperature associated with the central steady cursor
H Indication of the temperature of the hottest spot (Hot) of the image
C Indication of the temperature of the coldest spot (Cold) of the image
21.9, 41.1 Indication of temperature levels of the IR image
Palette Indication of color palette (see § 4.3.8)
Indication of active Bluetooth connection (see § 5.13)
4.3.3. AC+DC current and voltage measurement
The instrument is capable of measuring a possible presence of overlapping alternating
components on a generic direct waveform (voltage or current). This can be useful when
measuring typical impulsive signals of non-linear loads (e.g. welding machines, electric
ovens, etc.).
1. Select positions V, 10A , mA , A or
2. Press key MODE by selecting modes “V”,“ A”, “mA ” or “A” (see Fig. 6).
3. Follow the operating instructions shown in § 5.1 or § 5.8
Fig. 6: Description of AC+DC Voltage and Current measurement
MERCURY
EN - 12
4.3.4. Storage of measurement results
Fig. 7: Saving the value frozen on the display
1. Press key HOLD/ESC to freeze the result. Message “HOLD” appears on the display
and key REL becomes SAVE (see Fig. 7).
2. Press key to save the value as a BMP image on the instrument’s micro SD card or
press key HOLD/ESC again to quit the function.
3. Enter the General menu to display the saved result (see § 4.3.8).
4.3.5. Relative measurement
Fig. 8: Relative measurement
1. Press key REL to enter relative measurement (see Fig. 8 – right side). The
instrument zeroes the display and saves the displayed value as a reference value
which subsequent measurements will be referred to. Symbol “” appears on the
display. Functions “MAX/MIN” and “PEAK” are not active in this mode.
2. Press key HOLD/ESC to freeze the result. Message “HOLD” appears on the display
and key REL becomes SAVE.
3. Press key to save the value as a BMP image on the instrument’s micro SD card or
press key HOLD/ESC again to go back to function REL.
4. Press key REL again or turn the selector switch to quit the function.
MERCURY
EN - 13
4.3.6. MIN/MAX and PEAK measurement
Fig. 9: MIN/MAX and PEAK measurement
1. Press key MAX to enter measurement of MAX and MIN values of the quantity to be
measured (see Fig. 9 - central part). The symbols “MAX” and “MIN” appear on the
display.
2. The values are automatically updated by the instrument whenever the currently
displayed values are exceeded (higher for MAX value, lower for MIN value).
3. Press key HOLD/ESC to freeze the result. Message “HOLD” appears on the display
and key REL becomes SAVE.
4. Press key to save the value as a BMP image on the instrument’s micro SD card or
press key HOLD/ESC again to go back to function MAX/MIN.
5. Press key MAX again or turn the selector switch to quit the function.
6. Press key PEAK to enter measurement of Peak values of the quantity to be
measured (see Fig. 9 – right side). Symbols “Pmax” and “Pmin” appear on the display
and values are updated in the same way as for the MAX/MIN function.
7. Press key HOLD/ESC to freeze the result. Message “HOLD” appears on the display
and key REL becomes SAVE.
8. Press key to save the value as a BMP image on the instrument’s micro SD card or
press key HOLD/ESC again to go back to the PEAK function.
9. Press key PEAK again or turn the selector switch to quit the function.
4.3.7. Detection of AC voltage without contact
CAUTION
Firstly use the NCV sensor on a known AC source in order to verify its
proper operation.
The thickness of the cable’s insulating sheath and the distance from the
source may influence the operation.
1. Switch on the instrument in any position of the selector switch.
2. Take the instrument near an AC source and look for the red LED on the top to turn on
(see Fig. 1 – part 1); this indicates that the instrument has detected the source's
presence.
MERCURY
EN - 14
4.3.8. General menu of the instrument
1. Press key MENU “” to access the instrument’s general menu.
Fig. 10: General menu of the instrument
2. Use the arrow keys or to select menu items and arrow keys , to select
parameters and enter/quit internal subsections.
Command Palette
3. Select item “Palette” and press key to choose the color palette to be used in
Thermal camera mode.
4. Use the arrow key or key to select among the options: Iron, Rainbow, Grey
scale, Reverse Grey scale, Feather
5. Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Temp Unit
6. Select item “Temp Unit” and press key or to enable the selection of the measuring
unit of temperature to be used in Thermal camera mode and for measuring
Temperature with K-type probe (parameter is highlighted in grey).
7. Use arrow keys or to select options: °C (Celsius), °F (Fahrenheit) or K(Kelvin).
8. Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Measure
9. Select item “Measure” and press key or to enable activation/deactivation of the
cursors associated with the “hottest” or “coldest” spots in the thermographic image (see
Fig. 11).
Fig. 11: Measurement Menu
MERCURY
EN - 15
10.Use arrow key to select options: ON (activation), OFF (deactivation).
11.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Emissivity
12.Select item “Emissivity” and press keys or to set the value of parameter
Emissivity to be used in Thermal Camera mode
13.Use the arrow keys or to select the value within range: 0.01 ÷ 1.00
14.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Recording
This command allows setting the parameters and activating the recording of the values of
the quantities measured by the instrument in Multimeter mode. For operating instructions,
see § 5.11.
Command Language
15.Select item “Language” and press keys or to enable language selection.
16.Use arrow keys or to select the language among the available options.
Fig. 12: Language Menu
17.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Settings
18.Select item “Settings” and press key or to display system settings. The following
screen appears on the display:
Fig. 13: Settings Menu
MERCURY
EN - 16
19.Use the arrow keys or and keys or to select the following options:
Key tone activation/deactivation of key tone when pressing function keys.
Bluetooth activation/deactivation of Bluetooth connection (see § 5.13).
Laser activation/deactivation of laser pointer.
Brightness setting of the contract level of the display.
Auto power OFF deactivation (OFF) and activation (15min, 30min, 60min) of
the instrument’s Auto power OFF function
20.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Date/Time
21.Select item “Date/Time” and press key or to set system/time. The following
screen appears on the display.
Fig. 14: Date/time Menu
22.Use keys or and keys or to select/set date/time in the following formats:
European option 24h (ON)
American (AM/PM) option 24h (OFF)
23.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Memory (recalling and deleting images)
24.Select item “Memory” and press key or to access the instrument’s memory
(inserted micro SD card) in which it is possible to recall and delete saved images. The
following screen appears on the display:
Fig. 15: Menu Memory
MERCURY
EN - 17
25.Use the arrow keys or and keys or to select option “Recall Photos”. The
following screens (corresponding to the last saved image) appear on the display:
Fig. 16: Recalling images to the display
26.Use the arrow keys or to display the desired image among those saved in the
instrument’s micro SD card. The saved image is always in format
“YYMMDDHHMMSS.bmp”, which indicates precisely when the image was saved.
27.Press key on the recalled image. The screens in Fig. 18 appear on the display.
Fig. 17: Deleting and sharing recalled images
28.Use the arrow keys or to select option “Delete” and confirm with key
29.Use the arrow keys or to confirm (Yes) or cancel (No) image deletion (see
30.Use the arrow keys or to select the option “Share” (only available for IR image
screenshots) to share the image on mobile devices through the APP HTMercury and
Bluetooth connection (see § 5.13).
31.Use the arrow keys or and keys or to select option “Delete Photos” (see Fig.
15). The following screen appears on the display:
MERCURY
EN - 18
Fig. 18: Deleting all saved images
32.Use the arrow keys or to confirm (Yes) or cancel (No) deletion of all saved
images.
33.Press the key to confirm or key HOLD/ESC to quit the general menu.
Command Information
34.Select item “Information” and press key or to display information about the
instrument (Hardware and Firmware version)
Fig. 19: Menu Information
35.Press the arrow key , key or key HOLD/ESC to confirm and quit the general
menu.
Command Factory Set.
36.Select item “Factory Set.” and press key or to restore the instrument’s default
settings.
MERCURY
EN - 19
Fig. 20: Default settings reset screen
37.Use the arrow keys or to confirm (Yes) or cancel (No) the Reset operation
38.Press the key to confirm or key HOLD/ESC to quit the general menu
39.The operation does not delete the data saved in the micro SD card
Table of contents
