PCE Instruments PCE-DC 10 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-DC 10 Clamp Meter
User Manual
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Last change: 10 March 2020
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Safety Symbols ..................................................................................... 2
3Specifications........................................................................................ 2
4Device Overview.................................................................................... 5
5Operating Procedures .......................................................................... 6
5.1 SMART Measurement...................................................................................................... 6
5.2 A-HOLD ........................................................................................................................... 6
5.3 Auto Power-Off................................................................................................................. 6
5.4 DC Voltage....................................................................................................................... 7
5.5 AC Voltage....................................................................................................................... 7
5.6 AC Current ....................................................................................................................... 7
5.7 Resistance ....................................................................................................................... 7
5.8 Continuity ......................................................................................................................... 8
5.9 Frequency/Duty Cycle ...................................................................................................... 8
6Maintenance .......................................................................................... 8
6.1 Cleaning........................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Battery Replacement........................................................................................................ 8
7Warranty................................................................................................. 9
8Disposal ................................................................................................. 9

© PCE Instruments
1
1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at
the end of this manual.

© PCE Instruments
2
2 Safety Symbols
Note-Important safety information; refer to the instruction manual.
Application around uninsulated live conductors is hazardous and not permitted.
Caution, possibility of electric shock
Equipment protected throughout by double insulation or reinforced insulation.
3080912
CONFORMS TO UL STD 61010-1, 61010-2-032 and 61010-2-033;
CERTIFIE
D TO CSA STD C22.2 NO. 61010-1, 61010-2-032, 61010-2-033
Complies with European (EU) safety standards
Earth (ground) TERMINAL
AC voltage/current
DC voltage
3 Specifications
AC power
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
2 A
0.01 A
± (2.5 % + 8 digits)
20 A
0.01 A
± (2.5 % + 8 digits)
200 A
0.1 A
± (2.5 % + 8 digits)
600 A
1 A
± (3.0 % + 10 digits)
Frequency range: .45 ... 65 Hz
The frequency is only displayed from a current of 0.2 A.
Maximum input current: up to 600 A for no more than 60 seconds.
Accuracy refers to RMS sine waves.
AC voltage
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
6 V
0.01 V
±(0.8 % + 5 digits)
60 V
0.1 V
600 V
1 V
Input impedance: 10 MΩ
Overvoltage protection 600V AC / DC rms
Smallest measurable voltage: 1V AC / DC
Frequency range: 45 ... 65 Hz
Accuracy refers to RMS sine waves
If a current is detected during the voltage measurement, "Err" appears on the display

© PCE Instruments
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DC voltage
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
6 V
0.01 V
±(0.5 % + 3 digits)
60 V
0.1 V
600 V
1 V
Input impedance: 10 MΩ
Overvoltage protection 600V AC / DC rms
Smallest measurable voltage: 1V AC / DC
Resistance
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
2 kΩ
0.001 kΩ
± (0.8 % + 3 digits)
20 kΩ
0.01 kΩ
± (0.8 % + 3 digits)
200 kΩ
0.1 kΩ
± (0.8 % + 3 digits)
2 MΩ
0.001 MΩ
± (0.8 % + 3 digits)
10 MΩ
0.01 MΩ
± (1 % + 5 digits)
Measuring voltage in open circuit: approx. 0.4 V
Overvoltage protection: 250V AC / DC rms
Continuity test
Beep at <40 Ω
Measuring voltage in open circuit: approx. 0.4 V
Overvoltage protection: 250V AC / DC rms
Frequency
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
60 Hz
0.1 Hz
±(1 % + 5 digits)
600 Hz
1 Hz
3 kHz
10 Hz
Total measuring range: 40 ... 3 kHz
Minimum voltage: >1 AC RMS (The measurement frequency will increase with the voltage)
Overvoltage protection: 600V AC / DC rms

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Duty cycle
measuring range
Resolution
Accuracy
10 ... 90 %
1 %
±2 %
Maximum current clamp opening
26 mm
Insulation
CAT III 600V
Measuring rate
About 3 measurements per second
Display
3 5/6 digit LCD
Display area
5999, 1999 for resistance measurement
Measurement outside the measuring
range
"OL" display
Automatic shutdown
After 15 minutes, can be deactivated
Coefficients
0.1 x accuracy x °C / °F*
Power supply
3 x 1.5V AAA batteries
Operating conditions
0 ... 40 °C / 32 ... 104 °F, <80 % RH
Storage conditions
-10 ... 60 °C / 14 ... 140 °F,
<70 % RH (without batteries)
Maximum working height
2000 m / 6561 ft.
Dimensions
204 x 78 x 43 mm / 8 x 3.1 x 1.7 in
Weight
About 195 g / <1 lb
Accuracies are given at ambient conditions of 18 ... 28 °C, 65 ... 83 °F. *The temperature is
the difference between the temperature of the operating conditions and the current ambient
temperature.
Example:
If current ambient temperature is greater than the temperature of the operating conditions
(50 °C / 122 °F (current ambient temperature)) - (40 °C / 104 °F (operating temperature)) =
10°C / 50°F
If the current ambient temperature less than the temperature of the operating conditions
(0 °C / 32 °F (operating temperature)) - (-5 °C / °F (current ambient temperature)) =
5 °C / 41 °F

© PCE Instruments
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4 Device Overview
1
Current Clamp:
For measuring current
7
Input Jack:
Live (red) test lead input
2
Safety Barrier:
Protection from conductors
8
COM Jack:
Common (black) test lead input
3
Rotary Switch:
Function select
9
A-Hold Button:
Pauses measurement on
screen
4
MAX/MIN Button:
Press to show the max, then min measuring
value
Press again to return to measuring
10
Clamp Trigger:
Opens the current clamp
5
Backlight Button:
Screen backlight.
11
Flashlight:
On the backside of the meter
On during current measurement
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12

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Turns flashlight on, when in current
measurement
6
Display:
LCD screen shows up to a value of 5999
AUTO
Auto range
V
Volt (voltage)
AC voltage/current
A
Amp (current)
DC voltage
Ω, kΩ, MΩ
Ohm (resistance)
Low battery
Continuity
%
Percentage (duty cycle)
Display hold
Hz
Hertz (frequency)
Polarity indicator (negative)
5 Operating Procedures
5.1 SMART Measurement
•Select the SMART measurement option with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required.
•AC current, AC voltage, DC voltage, resistance or continuity will be measured
automatically.
•When measuring AC current, the meter can simultaneously display the measurement
results for DCV or ACV, for example.
5.2 A-HOLD
•Press the A-HOLD button to pause the measurement on screen.
•Press the button again to resume measurement.
5.3 Auto Power-Off
•The meter shuts down automatically after 15min of inactivity,
•Press the A-HOLD button to wake the meter up.
AUTO
MIN
MA

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5.4 DC Voltage
•Select the DC voltage measurement option ( ) with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required to begin measurement.
CAUTION
Use extra caution when measuring high voltages to avoid electric shock or damage.
WARNING
Do not attempt to measure voltages above 600V DC
to prevent injury or damage to the meter.
5.5 AC Voltage
•Select the AC voltage measurement option ( ) with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required to begin measurement.
CAUTION
Use extra caution when measuring high voltages to avoid electric shock or damage.
WARNING
Do not attempt to measure voltages above 600V DC
to prevent injury or damage to the meter.
5.6 AC Current
•Select the AC voltage measurement option ( ) with the rotary switch.
•Insert only one conductor inside the current clap to begin measuring (Multiple
conductors with different current directions will cancel the measurement out).
5.7 Resistance
•Turn off all power and discharge the capacitors of the circuit to be tested.
•Select the resistance measurement option (Ω) with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required to begin measurement.
•Measuring tips:
oSometimes the resistor value and measured resistance differ. This is due to
the meter’s output test current going through all possible paths between
leads.
oFor low resistance measurements, shorten the test leads and record the
resistance displayed. Then connect to the circuit and subtract the recorded
resistance from the measured value for the most accurate results.
oWhen the leads are disconnected or the measurement is out of range, “OL”
will be shown on the display.
WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the meter, make sure to turn off
all power and discharge all capacitors before measuring resistance.

© PCE Instruments
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5.8 Continuity
•Turn off all power and discharge the capacitors of the circuit to be tested.
•Select the resistance measurement option ( ) with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required to begin measurement. If the resistance is less than
40Ω, the buzzer will sound.
WARNING
To avoid injury or damage to the meter, make sure to turn off
all power and discharge all capacitors before measuring resistance.
5.9 Frequency/Duty Cycle
•Select the resistance measurement option (Hz%) with the rotary switch.
•Connect the test leads as required to begin measurement.
6 Maintenance
6.1 Cleaning
Use a damp cloth and a small amount of detergent to clean the meter regularly. Do not use
abrasives or chemical solvents. Dirty or wet input jacks can affect readings.
Cleaning the input jacks:
•Shut meter down and remove the test leads.
•Wipe any debris off the input jacks.
•Clean the inside of the input jacks with a cotton swab and an alcohol cleaner or lubricant
(eg.: WD-40).
•Use a clean swab for each jack to avoid cross contamination.
6.2 Battery Replacement
WARNING
Remove the test leads from before opening the
battery cover to avoid damage or personal injury.
To avoid false readings, damage to the meter or personal injury, replace the batteries when the
battery low icon is displayed.
To replace the batteries:
•Shut the meter down and remove all test leads.
•Unscrew the battery cover and remove the used batteries.
•Replace the batteries (AAA 1.5V, Alkaline)
•Reinstall the battery cover and tighten the screws.