Iwatsu SS-540 User manual

Current Probe
SS-540/SS-550
Instruction Manual

Ⓒ2021 IWATSU ELECTRIC CO., LTD. All rights reserved．

Contents
Contents
Introduction ··················································································· 1
Safety Precautions ······································································· 1
Note ································································································ 11
Checking packed materials ························································· 11
Components ·················································································· 11
Management of instrument ························································· 12
Repair and sending instrument to be repaired ························ 12
Cleaning of instrument ································································ 12
Chapter 1 Overview ······································································ 13
1.1 Summary ··········································································· 13
1.2 Features ············································································ 13
1.3 Part Names ······································································· 14
1.4 Part Functions ··································································· 14
1.5 Specifications ···································································· 16
1.5.1 Instrument specifications ········································· 16
1.5.2 Certification standards ············································· 21
1.5.3 Recommended Power Supply and Oscilloscopes ·· 21
Chapter 2 Operation ····································································· 22
2.1 Preparations for Measurement ········································· 22
2.2 Demagnetizing and Zero Adjustment ······························· 23
2.3 Measuring methods ·························································· 26

Contents
Chapter 3 Daily check and calibration······································· 32
3.1 Maintenance ······································································ 32
3.2 Periodic Calibration ··························································· 32
3.3 Inspection ·········································································· 33

1
Introduction
•Thank you for purchasing this instrument of IWATSU
ELECTRIC CO., LTD. We hope that you will enjoy it for
years to come.
•Please read this manual carefully before attempting to use
the instrument. Store the manual in a safe place so it can be
referred to when necessary.
Safety Precautions
Throughout this manual, the symbol (Warning) and
(Caution) are used to indicate points that must be observed to
ensure safety and prevent injury and property damage. Be
sure to read these points carefully and observe all precautions.
Symbols indicating the need for caution also appear on the
instrument itself.
Symbols in this manual ( Warning Caution and Note)
Warning
Indicates that failure to observe this precaution may lead to
death or serious injury.
Caution
Indicates that improper use may lead to injury or damage to
the instrument.
Note Provides instruction or advice regarding unit functions or
operation.
Symbols on the instrument
Warning
Indicates the need to refer to the instruction manual before
use in order to prevent injury and e uipment damage.
Indicates that the instrument can be operated with direct
current (DC) or alternating current (AC).
Indicates that the instrument can not be set and detached in
the active circuit.

2
Precautions
•Due to our continuing efforts to improve performance and
functions, the information in this manual is subject to change
without notice.
•Unauthorized reproduction of the contents of this manual is
strictly prohibited.
•If you have any questions about this instrument, contact
Iwatsu office or our sales distributors.
Revision History
•April 2021: 1st edition
KMLA00291

3
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Warnings
•Do not use this instrument in an environment with
explosive gases.
This may result in explosion.
•If you notice smoke, foul odor or abnormal noise,
immediately turn off the power supply of all equipment
with which this instrument is connected, and then
detach this instrument from the insulating target
conductor to be measured.
Continued use under these circumstances may result in electric
shock or fire. Contact Iwatsu office or our sales distributors for
repair. Do not attempt to repair this instrument yourself.
•Turn off the power to the insulating target conductor to
be measured before attaching or detaching sensor head
part of this instrument to or from the insulating target
conductor to be measured.
Failure to do so is very dangerous for targets to be measured that
use high current.
•Do not use this instrument to measure exposed
conducting lines.
This may result in electric shock, short-circuiting or equipment
damage. (The clamp core and shield casing are not insulated.)
•Use caution not to wet this instrument or allow entry of
water or foreign objects into.
Continued use under these circumstances may result in an
electric shock, fire, or failure. If water, foreign objects, or other
substances enter this instrument or the instrument is wet with
water, immediately turn off the power supply of all equipment with
which this instrument is connected, and then detach this
instrument from the insulating target conductor to be measured.
After that, contact Iwatsu office or our sales distributors for repair.

4
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Warnings
•Do not handle this instrument if your hands are wet.
This may result in electric shock, fire or equipment damage.
•Do not touch the plug of the power cord if your hands
are wet.
This may result in electric shock.
•Be careful not to damage the insulating sheath of the
insulating target conductor to be measured.
•Make sure the oscilloscope connected to the BNC
output connector on the current probe is used with the
protective earth.
See "1.5.3 Recommended Power Supply and Oscilloscope" on
page 21 for our company instruments that fit this description.
•Do not use this instrument if the unit case is damaged.
This may result in electric shock. If the unit case is damaged,
contact Iwatsu office or our sales distributors for repair.
•Connect only the recommended power unit to this
instrument.
Use of power units not suited may result in fire or equipment
damage. See 1.5.3 "Recommended Power Supply and
Oscilloscopes" on page 21.
•Confirm that any dust does not adhere to the power plug
before inserting surely it into the power supply
receptacle.
Dust may result in electric shock, fire, or malfunction.
•Do not place this instrument in an area there frequent
vibrations or impacts occur.
If this instrument is dropped or overturned, it may cause a
physical injury or a malfunction.

5
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Warnings
•When handling power cords and sensor cables:
This may result in fire, electric shock, or equipment damage. If the
power cord is damaged, contact Iwatsu office or our sales
distributors for repair.
⋅Do not attempt to fabricate power cord and sensor cable.
⋅Do not pull power cord and sensor cable by the cable. Always
grasp the plug.
⋅Do not bend power cord and sensor cable.
⋅Do not heat power cord and sensor cable.
⋅Do not twist power cord and sensor cable.
⋅Avoid getting power cord and sensor cable wet.
⋅Do not bind power cord and sensor cable together.
⋅Do not place heavy objects on top of power cord and sensor
cable.
•Do not use this instrument in a highly humid
environment where condensation may occur.
If using, an electric shock or fire, or failure may occur.
•Do not put on this instrument a container that water,
medicine, etc. has entered or a small metallic object.
If not, an electric shock or fire may occur. If this instrument is wet
with water, or metal and other objects enter the instrument,
immediately turn off the power supply of all equipment with which
this instrument is connected, and then detach this instrument from
the insulating target conductor to be measured. After that, contact
Iwatsu office or our sales distributors for repair.
•When thunder begins, pull out the power plug of a
device or the AC adaptor to which this instrument is
connected from the outlet. Then, detach this instrument
from the target to be measured, and do not use it.
Lightning may be a cause of an electric shock, fire, or failure.

6
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Warnings
•Do not use this instrument when it has failed.
Using a failed main unit or, cable or AC adaptor may be a cause
of an electric shock or fire. In the event of a failure, contact Iwatsu
office or our sales distributors for repair.
•Do not attempt to modify or disassemble the unit.
This may result in electric shock, fire or equipment damage.
Requests to repair the unit may be refused if unauthorized
modifications have been made.
•This instrument SS-540 and SS-550 might not be able to
be used at the same time because there are restrictions
on power consumption in the probe power on the
oscilloscope side according to the measured current.
Refer to page21 and page27 for details.
•The BNC ground of this instrument is connected to an
electric ground through the power supply such as PS-52
or PS-54 to prevent danger. Use the equipment only for
the floating measurement when executing the floating
measurement.
When the ground terminal of the instrument is connected to a
ground besides the earth potential, this instrument, the equipment
and the circuit to be measured must be damaged because the
equipment that connects this instrument is connected to a ground.
Moreover, there must be danger of getting an electric shock.
Wrong example
Oscilloscope etc.
Power supply
This instrument
(Current probe)

7
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Cautions
•Do not supply current that exceeds the maximum
continuous input range.
The values are derived from the rise in temperature caused when
the unit heats up during measurement. Do not input the current
that exceeds this. This instrument might be damaged. Moreover,
the maximum input range differs depending on the frequency of
the current being measured. See Figure 1.5.1 "Instrument
Specifications".
•When current exceeding the maximum continuous input
range is supplied, the sensor unit will heat up, triggering
an internal protective interlock that will prevent normal
output.
If this happens, cut off the input immediately (either by removing
the sensor from the insulating target conductor to be measured or
by setting the input current to zero). Then wait for a sufficient
amount of time for the unit to cool before resuming normal
operation.
•At high temperatures, the overcurrent protection circuit
in the unit may cause the protective interlock to operate
at current levels that are below the maximum
continuous input range.
•Do not subject the instrument to sudden rapid changes
in temperature, mechanical stress or shocks.
This may damage the instrument and the sensor head and result
in equipment failure.
•Keep the sensor head closed unless you are clamping
the insulating target conductor to be measured in
preparation for measurement.
Leaving the sensor head open may damage the sensor head.

8
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Cautions
•Before moving this instrument, make sure that the
power supply plug is disconnected from the power
supply receptacle and that the sensor head, output
terminal (BNC) cable and other external connection lines
are removed.
Failure to do so will damage the sensor head or cable, causing an
electrical shock, fire, or failure.
•When handling the sensor head, be sure to observe the
following precautions:
⋅The contact end of the sensor head is precision-polished.
Handle the unit carefully to avoid damaging this surface.
Scratches on the surface may adversely affect performance.
⋅The end of the sensor head must be kept clean, as dirt on the
surface will adversely affect performance. If the surface
becomes dirty, wipe it clean with a soft cloth or the like.
•When removing the connector from the output terminal,
first unlock the connector, grasp the connector and pull
to remove.
Failure to remove the connector in this manner may damage the
terminator.
•Do not store or use this instrument in direct sunlight or
in environments that are subject to high temperatures,
high humidity or condensation.
Use or storage at other than the rated conditions may result in
warping due to heat, impaired insulation, or unit failure.
The proper temperature and humidity levels for use and storage
are listed below.
⋅Operating temperature: 0 to +40°C, no dew condensation
⋅Operating humidity: below the moisture amount of 80%RH
⋅Storage temperature: -10 to +50°C, no dew condensation
⋅Storage humidity: below the moisture amount of 80%RH

9
Read this page to ensure proper safety. (to be continued)
Cautions
•For your safety, when this instrument is not used for a
long time, remove the power plug of this instrument
from the power supply receptacle.
•Do not leave this instrument in wet or dusty
environments.
This may result in electric shock, fire or equipment damage.
•Do not leave this instrument in a place exposed to lamp
soot or steam generated by counters, humidifiers, etc.
If not, an electric shock, fire, or failure may occur.
•Securely insert the power plug into the power supply
receptacle.
•Hold the power plug part when removing the power
supply cord from the power supply receptacle.
Pulling on the power cord will damage the cord. This may be a
cause of an electric shock, fire, or failure.
•For your safety, remove the power plug of this instrument
from the power supply receptacle, make sure that the
sensor head, output terminal (BNC) cable and other
external connection lines are removed before
maintenance. In addition, wipe off with a dry cloth when
water droplets are attached.
If not, an electric shock or failure may occur.

10
Read this page to ensure proper safety.
Cautions
•Before transporting this instrument, house this
instrument in the accessory soft (for SS-540) or hard (for
SS-550) case, and then pack the housed instrument in
the packing material used at the time of purchase, or the
packing material or better.
This instrument may fail if a large vibration or impact is applied
during transportation, possibly causing a fire. If you do not have a
proper packing or shock-absorbing material for transportation,
contact Iwatsu office or our sales distributors. If transportation is
to be handled by a forwarding agent, display "Contains a
precision machine" on each side of the packing box.
•We recommend to order Iwatsu office or our sales
distributors for periodical inspection and calibration
once a year or so.

11
Note
An accurate measurement can not be likely to be done in the
vicinity the generation of a strong magnetic field and strong
electric fields such as the transformer, the large current circuits,
and the wireless machines.
Checking packed materials
When receiving this instrument, check the packed materials while
referring to the following “Components.” If there is a missing item
or an item damaged during transportation, immediately contact
Iwatsu office or our sales distributors.
Components
Main unit ………….. 1
Accessories (See the accessories table below.)
Accessories table
Items Quantities
(SS-540)
Quantities
(SS-550)
Hard case - 1
Soft case 1 -
Instruction Manual (this document) 1 1
Sheet for China RoHS
1 1
Cable tie
1 1

12
Management of instrument
When disposing of this instrument, it must be recycled or
disposed of properly in accordance with local laws or regulations.
When disposing of it, request a recycling company to dispose of it
in accordance with local laws or regulations.
Repair and sending instrument to be repaired
If a failure occurs, send the instrument to Iwatsu office or our
sales distributors.
When sending an instrument to be repaired, clearly write the
instrument name, serial number (in the label on the rear of this
instrument), description of the failure, and the name, division, and
telephone number of the responsible person.
Cleaning of instrument
When you take the dirt of this instrument, wipe with a soft and dry
cloth or wipe with a dry cloth after you wipe with a soft cloth etc.
to contain water, and the soapless soap.
Never use neither medicines of thinner, benzine, acetone, ether,
ketone, alcohol, and the gasoline system, etc. nor the detergents
that contain them.
This instrument is likely to transform, and to discolor.

13
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 1 Overview
1.1 Summary
This instrument is connected directly to the BNC input terminal
on an oscilloscope or other waveform monitoring unit. This
makes it easy to measure current waveforms by simply
clamping it onto an insulating target conductor to be measured.
1.2 Features
⋅Highly accurate current detection
⋅Easy current measurement
⋅Broadband frequency bandwidth
SS-550 : DC - 100MHz
SS-540 : DC - 50MHz
⋅Compact unit capable of measuring low current
⋅Simple protection function from excessive input
⋅Unique development by using thin film Hall element

14
Chapter 1 Overview
1.3 Part Names
•External View
1.4 Part Functions
①Open-close lever
Used to open and close the sensor head. Be sure to use
this lever to open and close the sensor head.
②Sensor head
Clamps the insulating target conductor to be measured and
detects the current level. The sensor head is made up of a
molded part, ferrite, Hall element and other parts that have
been precision-machined and assembled. Be sure to
handle the sensor head carefully, as it may be damaged by

15
Chapter 1 Overview
sudden violent changes in ambient temperature,
mechanical stress, shocks and so on.
③Demagnetizing switch (DEMAG)
Used to eliminate magnetization from the magnetic core
generated when the power is turned on and off or caused
by excessive input. Be sure to do this before starting
measurement.
④Zero adjustment dial (ZERO ADJ)
Used to compensate for offset voltage, temperature drift
and the like with this instrument.
⑤Rough-adjustment trimmer
Used only when adjustment with the zero adjustment dial is
not possible.
⑥Output connector
Outputs the measured current waveform at a steady rate
(0.1 V/A). The connector is plugged into the BNC input
terminal on the oscilloscope.
⑦Power plug
This plug is inserted into the power supply receptacle of the
PS-52 or PS-54 power supply and the like to provide power
to the sensor and terminator.

16
Chapter 1 Overview
1.5 Specifications
1.5.1 Instrument specifications
Table1, Figure1 and Figure2 indicate SS-550 instrument
specifications. Table2, Figure3 and Figure4 indicate SS-540
instrument specifications.
The following values indicate unit performance 30 minutes
after the power has been turned on in an ambient environment
of 23°C ±5°C.