PICO TA466 User manual

User’s guide
TA466
Two-pole voltage detector
www.picoauto.com

2 DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
Contents
1. Description ................................................................................................................................ 3
2. Appearance ............................................................................................................................... 3
3. Operating instructions.............................................................................................................. 4
3.1. Safety instructions.................................................................................................................... 4
3.2. Correct operation check (self-test) ......................................................................................... 4
3.3. Battery level indicator............................................................................................................... 4
3.4. ACorDCvoltagevericationandmeasurement.................................................................... 4
3.5. Polarity check (direct voltage) ................................................................................................ 5
3.6. Phase/neutral check (alternating voltages)............................................................................ 5
3.7. Phaseordercheck(three-phasesystemonACmains)......................................................... 5
3.8. Continuity check ....................................................................................................................... 6
3.9. Pocketlampfunction ............................................................................................................... 6
3.10. Batteryreplacement ................................................................................................................. 6
3.11. Generalmaintenance................................................................................................................ 7
3.12. Periodicmaintenance............................................................................................................... 7
3.13. Cablereplacementandchecks:............................................................................................... 7
3.14. Connecting accessories........................................................................................................... 7
3.15. Technicalspecications........................................................................................................... 8

3
DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
1. Description
The TA466 Two-pole voltage detector can be used for carrying out no-voltage checks, and for
measuringupto690VACandupto950VDC.
It is designed to be easily handled. The test probes are clipped to the underside of the casing for
storageandforeasyuseonstandardEuropeanoutlets(centre-to-centredistance:19mm).
Thevoltagedetectorhasthefollowingfeatures:
• ± polarity indicator
•Audiblecontinuityindicator(<100Ω)
•Phaseorderindicatorinathree-phasesystem(bythetwo-wiremethod)
ItisttedwithIP65safetytestprobes(bydesign)andabuilt-incorrectoperationtestingsystem
(self-test).
Thevoltagedetectorcanbeusedforthefollowing:
• Checks of AC and DC voltage levels or measurementsofalternatingvoltagesupto690V(50and
60Hz)anddirectvoltagesupto950V
•Phasedetection(bytheunipolarmethod)
2. Appearance

4 DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
3. Operating instructions
3.1. Safety instructions
Pleaserefertothecompletesafetyinformationforthisproduct,inthePicoScope®4225A and
4425A Automotive oscilloscope and accessories Safety Guide, before you use it.
3.2. Correct operation check (self-test)
Alwaysperformacorrectoperationcheckbeforeandaftertheno-voltagecheck.
1. Inspectthedevicetestleadsandprobesfordamage.
2. Short circuit the test-lead points and press the test button. The correct operation of the device
isindicatedby:
• Allthenumbersandsymbolsonthedisplayareilluminatedinred.
• A rapidly pulsating audible signal.
Neverusethedeviceifthischeckisnotsuccessful.Inparticular,makesurethatthebuzzersignal
is audible in noisy areas.
Note1:Acorrectoperationcheck(self-test)indicates,amongotherthings,whetherthebattery
level is correct. If the correct operation check fails, replace the battery and do the check again. If it
stillfailsyoumustreturntheunittothemanufacturer.PleasecontactyourlocalPicorepresentative
to arrange the return.
Note2:The“correctoperationcheck”functionistheretomakesurethatthetestleads,battery,and
electronic circuit integrity are working and correct.
3.3. Battery level indicator
The symbolgivesinformationonthebatterylevel.
3.4. AC or DC voltage verification and measurement
Place the test probes in contact with the source you want to check. If the voltage is only a few volts
(<3V)nosignalwillsoundandthedisplaywillremaindark.Thepresenceofvoltage>3Vwillbe
displayedaccordingtothevoltagecharacteristics.Thescreenwillbecomeblueforvoltagesof≤
36VACRMSand≤36VDC.Avoltagelevel>36Visindicatedbytheilluminationoftheharmful
voltagepresenceLED,redbacklightingonthescreenandtheemissionofanintermittentaudible
signal.
Thisdevicewillalwaysindicatethepresenceofharmfulvoltage(>36V)withtheindicatorlight,
even if the batteries are out of service.
• Thepresenceofanalternatingvoltageisconrmedbytheilluminationofthe symbol.
• Thepresenceofadirectvoltageisconrmedbytheilluminationofthe symbol.
• Thedisplaywillautomaticallystopassoonasthemeasuringprobesaredisconnected.
• Thedisplayhasaresolutionof1V.
• The unit has an accuracy of (± 5% ± 2 digits).
Note:Donotusethevericationindicatorsaloneforvoltagemeasurements.

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DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
3.5. Polarity check (direct voltage)
• Iftheredtestprobeisconnectedtothepositiveterminalofthesource,the symbolis
displayed.
• Iftheredtestprobeisconnectedtothenegativeterminalofthesource,the symbolis
displayed.
3.6. Phase/neutral check (alternating voltages)
ItiseasytospotneutralphaseswiththeTA466.Youperformthisoperationwiththeredtestprobe
while holding the device. The black probe is not required and can be left clipped in place on the
back the voltage detector
Iftheredtestprobecomesincontactwithaphase,thePhase symbolcomeson(thedisplaywill
turn blue). This provides an indication of contact with a phase only and is not an indication of safe
working voltage at the contact point of the probe.
3.7. Phase order check (three-phase system on AC mains)
YoucanusetheTA466todeterminethephaseorderinathree-phasesystem.Youperformthis
operationintwosequences,usingthetwotestprobes.First,makesurethatthereisvoltage
presentandthatithasthesamevalueforeachofthethreephases(atleast127V).
Keep the red test probe in contact with phase 1 during the entire operation (Step 1 and Step 2).
Step1:
• Place the black test probe in contact with phase 2.
• The device is ready for the next sequence when the symbolblinks.
Step2:
• Movetheblacktestprobetophase3:
• Ifthesymbolrotationisclockwise,thephaseorderisaswell(L1,L2,L3).
• Ifthesymbolrotationiscounter-clockwise,thephaseorderisaswell(L3,L2,L1).
• Ifthesymboldisappearsorkeepsblinking,thethree-phasesystemisnotbalanced.
Repeatthetwostepstoconrmtheresult.
Note1:Youonlyhave10secondstocarryoutStep2.
Note2:Inthecaseofcounter-clockwiseorder,weadviseyoutocheckthephaseshiftagainby
reversingtheorderofconnections2and3toconrmthephasesequence.
Note3:Tostartanewcheck(fromStep1again),disconnectthedevicefromthesourceyouare
checking and wait until the symbolstopsblinking.

6 DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
3.8. Continuity check
Performthisoperationinpower-offmode.
Placethetwotestprobesattheterminalsoftheitemyouwanttocheckandpressthetestbutton.
Acontinuityresistanceoflessthan100Ωisindicatedby:
• A red backlight on the display.
• A rapidly pulsating audible signal.
Acontinuityresistanceofmorethan100Ωwillcausethevoltagedetectortoshownoindication.
3.9. Pocket lamp function
Press the test button.
3.10. Battery replacement
Makesurethatthedeviceisdisconnectedfromallvoltagesources.
Thebatterymustbereplacedwhenthecorrectoperationcheck(self-test)fails.
1. UseaPozidrivscrewdrivertoundothethreescrewsonthebottomcover.
2. Removethebottomcover.
3. InserttwoAAAbatteries(LR03:1.5V),makesureyouobservethepolarityindicatedonthe
battery holder.
4. Replacethebottomcover.Takecaretorepositionthejointbeforeyoutightenthethreescrews.
5. Securewithanadequatetorque(about0.75Nm).
Note1:Removethebatteriesifthevoltagedetectorwillbeunusedforalongerperiodoftime.
Note2:Thebatterieshaveanexpirationdateindicatedonthebody.Replacethembeforethey
expire.

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DO340-1
TA466 Two-pole Voltage Detector
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
User’s Guide
3.11. General maintenance
TheTA466requiresnogeneralmaintenance,butyoucancleanitbyusingaclothmoistenedwith
alcoholoramilddetergent.
Werecommendperformingthefollowinginspectionsdailyorbeforeeachuse:
• Makeavisualinspectionandatestforproperoperation.
• Conrmthatthereisnoseverescratchesorcracksonthecapofthedevice.
• Conrmthatthereisnogrease,dustand/orotherforeignmatter.
• Conrmthecorrectoperationoftheappliancebypressingthetestbutton.
NOTE:Foranynon-complianceduringthedailyinspectionperformaperiodicinspection.
3.12. Periodic maintenance
Tobeperformedonceayear:
• Toremovedustandsmalldebrisandtorecreateand/orincreasetheinsulation,cleanthe
devicewithaclothcoatedwithsiliconeMO984.
• Change the batteries.
• Performdailyinspection.
Note:Foranynon-complianceduringtheperiodicinspectionyouneedtoreturnthedevicetothe
manufacturerforacheck.
The connecting leads are equipped with a wear indicator. If the white insulating layer appears on
thecable,theconnectingleadsmustbereplaced.
Unauthorisedstaffmustnotdisassemblethevoltagedetector.
3.13. Cable replacement and checks:
Thetwo-polevoltagetesterisasafetytesttoolandmustnotbeusedwhendamagedorwith
visiblewear.Itisrequiredtobecheckedbythemanufacturereverysixyears.
Becauseitisasafetytesttool,thechecksandreplacementsmustbecarriedoutatthefactory.
Please contact your local Pico representative to arrange the applicable service for your device.
3.14. Connecting accessories
Useonlyaccessories(cables,clamps,etc.)thatcomplywithEN61010-031.

User’s Guide
DO340-18
TA466 Voltage Detector User’s Guide
Copyright © 2020 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
PicoTechnologyisaninternationallyregisteredtrademarkofPicoTechnologyLtd.
www.picoauto.com
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Tel:+44(0)1480396395
Email:[email protected]
Tel:+18005912796
Email:[email protected]
Tel:+49(0)51319076290
Email:[email protected]
3.15. Technical specifications
Voltagerange,operating 3Vto690VAC(950VDC)
Overvoltage protection CATIV600V,CATIII1000Vrelativetoearth(ground)
Indicators Audiblealarmandlight
Display counts 1000
Input resistance 700kΩat50VAC
Frequency 50/60 Hz ± 3%
Operatingtemperature −15°Cto+45°C(classN)
Storagetemperature −15°Cto+55°C
Pollution degree 2
Altitude 2000mmax
Relativehumidity 95%RHmax
Safety See the PicoScope®4225Aand4425Aautomotiveoscilloscopeand
accessories Safety Guideforthecompletesafetyinformation.
Ingress protection IP65
Shock 1Jmax.
Batteries supplied 2xAAA(1.5V)
Operating cycle, on 30 s
(maximumtimeforwhichthedevicecanbeconnectedtothemaximumoperatingvoltage)
Operating cycle, off 240 s
(minimumidletimeforthedevicetocooldownafteroperatingcycle,on,duringwhichthedetectormustnotbe
connected to an energized part)
Storage In a clean, dry place
Location of use Indoor/outdoor use
Weight 220 g
Accuracy (±5% ±2 digits)
Resolution 1V