PCE Instruments PCE-DC 50 User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-DC 50 AC / DC Clamp Meter
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 17 January 2022
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Specifications........................................................................................2
3Delivery scope.......................................................................................4
4System description...............................................................................5
5Operation ............................................................................................... 6
5.1 Preparation ...................................................................................................................... 6
5.2 Shutter for input sockets................................................................................................... 7
5.3 Non-contact voltage detection.......................................................................................... 7
5.4 Current measurement AC / DC......................................................................................... 7
5.5 Voltage measurement AC / DC ........................................................................................ 8
5.6 Resistance measurement, continuity and diode test......................................................... 8
5.7 Capacitance measurement............................................................................................... 9
5.8 Frequency and duty cycle................................................................................................. 9
5.9 µA current measurement AC / DC.................................................................................... 9
5.10 Temperature measurement.............................................................................................. 9
6Function setting .................................................................................. 10
6.1 Freeze measured value...................................................................................................10
6.2 MIN / MAX.......................................................................................................................10
6.3 Hold peak value ..............................................................................................................10
6.4 Set measurement range..................................................................................................10
6.5 Display backlight.............................................................................................................10
6.6 Measuring spot illumination.............................................................................................10
6.7 Bluetooth connection.......................................................................................................10
6.8 Automatic power off.........................................................................................................11
7Maintenance and cleaning .................................................................11
7.1 Cleaning..........................................................................................................................11
7.2 Battery replacement........................................................................................................11
7.3 Fuse replacement ...........................................................................................................11
8Warranty...............................................................................................12
9Disposal ...............................................................................................12

© 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 inthis instructionmanual. 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. Never touch live components
when measuring. There is a danger to life.
•Never touch the bare measuring tips, otherwise electric shocks may occur.
•Before each measurement, make sure that the correct measurement range is set and
that the test leads are connected correctly.
•Resistance, capacitance and temperature measurements as well as diode tests (if
applicable) may only be carried out in a voltage-free state.
•Before replacing the batteries or the fuses, all test leads must be removed from the
meter.
•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.
General warning sign
Non-observancecan cause damage to the device and injuries to the
user.
Warning: electrical voltage
Non-observance can cause electric shock.
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 Specifications
Current measurement AC/DC (current clamp)
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.00 ... 50.00 A
10 mA
±2.5 % + 5 digits
0.0 ... 1000.0 A
0.1 A
±2.5 % + 5 digits
For AC current measurement, the accuracies refer to 50 ... 60 Hz and 5 ... 100 % of the
measurement range.
Current measurement AC/DC (test leads)
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.00 ... 500.00 µA
0.01 µA
DC: ±(1.0 % + 6 digits)
AC: ±(1.5 % + 30 digits)
0.0 ... 5000.0 µA
0.1 µA
DC: ±(1.0 % + 6 digits)
AC: ±(1.5 % + 30 digits)
Voltage measurement AC/DC
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.00 ... 500.00 mV
0.01 mV
DC: ±(0.1 % + 3 digits)
0.0000 ... 5.0000 V
0.0001 V
AC: ±(1.0 % + 30 digits)
0.000 ... 50.000 V
0.001 V
0.00 ... 500.00 V
0.01 V
0.0 ... 600.0 V
0.1 V
For AC voltage measurement, the accuracies refer to 50 ... 1000 Hz and 5 ... 100 % of the
measurement range.

© PCE Instruments
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Resistance measurement
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.00 ... 500.00 Ω
0.01 Ω
±(1.0 % + 9 digits)
0.0000 ... 5.0000 kΩ
0.0001 kΩ
±(1.0 % + 5 digits)
0.000 ... 50.000 kΩ
0.001 kΩ
±(1.0 % + 5 digits)
0.00 ... 500.00 kΩ
0.01 kΩ
±(1.0 % + 5 digits)
0.0000 ... 5.0000 MΩ
0.0001 MΩ
±(2.0 % + 10 digits)
0.000 ... 50.000 MΩ
0.001 MΩ
±(3.0 % + 10 digits)
Capacity measurement
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.00 ... 500.00 nF
0.01 nF
±(3.5 % + 40 digits)
0.0 ... 5000.0 nF
0.1 nF
±(3.5 % + 10 digits)
0.00 ... 50.00 µF
0.01 nF
±(3.5 % + 10 digits)
0.0 ... 500.0 µF
0.1 µF
±(3.5 % + 10 digits)
0.000 ... 5.000 mF
0.001 mF
±(2.0 % + 10 digits)
Frequency measurement
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
0.000 ... 50.000 Hz
0.001 Hz
0.00 ... 500.00 Hz
0.01 Hz
0.0000 ... 5.000 kHz
0.0001 kHz
0.000 ... 50.000 kHz
0.001 kHz
±(0.3 % + 2 digits)
0.00 ... 50.00 kHz
0.01 kHz
0.0000 ... 5.0000 MHz
0.0001
0.000 ... 10.000 MHz
0.001
Duty cycle
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy
5 % ... 95 %
0.10 %
±(1 % + 2 digits)
Pulse width: 100 µs ... 100 ms
Frequency: 10 Hz ... 10 kHz
Temperature
Measurement range
Resolution
Accuracy (of rdg.)
-100 °C ... 1000 °C
0.1
±(1 % + 2.5 °C)

© PCE Instruments
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General technical specifications of the clamp meter PCE-DC 50
Maximum cable diameter
max. 48 mm
Display
two-line, 50,000 digits
Continuity test
50 ohms
<50 mA
Diode test
0.3 mA
2.8 V DC
Battery indicator
battery icon when battery level is low
Overrange
OL when measurement range exceeded
Sampling rate
2 Hz
Peak detection
>1 ms
Thermocouple
Type K
Fuse
500 mA ceramic, fast-acting
AC bandwidth (AC A / AC V)
50 Hz ... 400 Hz
AC measurement
True RMS
Operating conditions
5 °C ... 40 °C / 41 ... 104°F
max. 80 % RH at 31 °C
Storage conditions
-20 °C ... 60 °C / -4 ... 140°F
max. 80 % RH
Power supply
9 V block battery
Automatic power off
after approx. 30 minutes
Interface
Bluetooth
Dimensions (W x H x D)
230 x 76 x 40 mm / 9 x 3 x 1.6“
Weight
315 g
Safety
IEC 1010-1(2001): EN 61010-1(2001)
CAT III 600 V
CAT II 1000 V
Pollution degree 2
3 Delivery scope
1 x PCE-DC 50 clamp meter, 1 x test lead set, 1 x carrying case, 1 x PC software, 1 x
Bluetooth adaptor, 2 x K-type thermocouple, 1 x 9 V block battery

© PCE Instruments
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4 System description
①
Current clamp
⑨
Illumination of measuring location
②
Opening lever current clamp
⑩
Indicator non-contact voltage
detection
③
HOLD key / display backlight
⑪
ZERO key / illumination
④
MODE / Bluetooth key
⑫
Function rotary switch
⑤
Display
⑬
MAX / MIN key
⑥
Sockets for K-type thermocouple
⑭
RANGE / PEAK key
⑦
Sockets for test lead
⑮
Shutter for input sockets
⑧
Sensor non-contact voltage detection

© PCE Instruments
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Icon
Description
Icon
Description
HOLD
Freeze measured value
Ω
Resistance
Automatic power off
A
Ampere (current)
AUTO
Automatic measurement range
adjustment
F
Farad (capacity)
Show peak value
Hz
Hertz (frequency)
DC
Direct current
%
Duty cycle
AC
Alternating current
°F and °C
Temperature unit
MAX
Maximum value
T1, T2, T1-
T2
Temperature input 1 and 2 /
difference
MIN
Minimum value
n, m,μ, M, k
Measured value sign
Battery low
Continuity test
ZERO
Zeroing DC and capacitance
Diode test
mV or V
milli-volts or volts
5 Operation
5.1 Preparation
•Unpack the meter completely.
•Remove the protective foils if necessary.
•Insert a battery as described in chapter 7.2.2.

© PCE Instruments
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5.2 Shutter for input sockets
The shutter prevents the simultaneous connection of the test leads for the multimeter function
and the connection of the thermocouples for temperature measurement. Slide the switch upwards
to use the multimeter function. To use the temperature measurement function, slide the switch
down.
Attention!
The shutter is a safety feature that prevents dangerous contact voltages. The meter must not be
operated if the shutter is defective.
5.3 Non-contact voltage detection
•Turn the function rotary switch to any position.
•Place the tip on the conductor to be tested. In case of multi-core conductors, run the tip
along the conductor to exclude false measurements due to twisted conductors.
•If voltage is present, the indicator for non-contact voltage detection permanently glows
in red.
5.4 Current measurement AC / DC
Remove all test leads from the meter before making measurements with the clamp.
•Turn the rotary function switch to the 1000 A AC/DC position.
•Use the MODE key to select between AC and DC.
•Open the measuring clamp, enclose the conductor to be
measured and close the clamp completely.
•If the read value is below 50 A, turn the rotary switch to 50 A
AC/DC to improve the resolution.
5.4.1 Zeroing DC
With this function, you can set the measured value display to zero.
•As described in chapter 5.4, select current measurement DC.
•Press the "ZERO" key on the right side of the meter.
•The display should now show 0000. A slight jump of the last digit is normal.

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5.5 Voltage measurement AC / DC
Do not make a voltage measurement while a motor is being switched on or off in
the circuit. This can cause voltage peaks and damage the meter.
•Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
•Set the rotary switch to position V.
•Use the MODE key to select between AC and DC.
•Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and
red to V).
•Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
•Read the measured value in the display.
5.6 Resistance measurement, continuity and diode test
Disconnect the circuits / components to be measured from the power supply.
5.6.1 Resistance
•Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
•Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
•Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and
red to Ω).
•Touch the measuring spots with the measuring tips.
•Read the measured value in the display.
5.6.2 Continuity test
•Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
•Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
•Press the MODE key repeatedly until the continuity test icon appears on the
display.
•Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
•Touch the measuring points with the measuring tips.
•An acoustic signal sounds if the resistance is <50 Ω.
5.6.3 Diode test
•Slide the cover of the input sockets upwards.
•Set the rotary switch to position Ω.
•Press the MODE key repeatedly until the diode test icon appears on the display.
•Plug the test leads into the measuring input sockets (black to COM and red to Ω).
•Touch themeasuring spots with the measuringtips andwritedown themeasuredvalue.
•Swap the polarity.
•Now compare this reading to the first reading.
Evaluate the measurement as follows: If "OL" is displayed in both measurements, the diode is
defective. If "OL" is displayed in one measurement and typical values of e. g. 0.400 V ... 1.800 V
are displayed in the second measurement, the diode is working. If voltage values are displayed
in both measurements, the diode is defective. In this case, the diode generates a short circuit.