Sonel MPI-535 User manual

4

BRIEF USER MANUAL
METER FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
PARAMETERS
MPI-535
SONEL S.A.
Wokulskiego 11
58-100 Świdnica
Full version of the manual is provided
on the website www.sonel.pl/en
Version 1.01.1 11.03.2019

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CONTENTS
1Security.............................................................................................................4
2Main menu ........................................................................................................5
2.1Meter settings...........................................................................................................6
2.2 Measurement settings..............................................................................................6
2.2.1 Sub-menu Measurement Settings....................................................................................7
2.3 USB communication.................................................................................................7
2.4 Regional settings .....................................................................................................8
3Measurements..................................................................................................8
3.1 Checking the correctness of PE (protective earth) connections ..............................9
3.2 Measurement of fault loop parameters .................................................................. 10
3.2.1 Measurement of fault loop parameters in the L-N and L-L circuits .................................10
3.2.2 Measurement of fault loop parameters in the L-PE circuit..............................................11
3.2.3 Measurement of fault loop impedance in L-PE circuit protected with a residual current
device (RCD).................................................................................................................12
3.2.4 Measurement of fault loop impedance in IT networks ....................................................13
3.3 Measurement of resistance to earth.......................................................................14
3.3.1 Settings of measurements .............................................................................................14
3.3.2 Measurement of resistance to earth using 3P method...................................................14
3.3.3 Measurement of resistance to earth using 4P method...................................................15
3.3.4 Measurement of resistance to earth using double clamp method...................................16
3.4 Measuring soil resistivity........................................................................................17
3.4.1 Settings of measurements .............................................................................................17
3.4.2 Soil resistivity measurements ........................................................................................18
3.5 Measurement of RCD parameters .........................................................................19
3.5.1 Settings of measurements .............................................................................................19
3.5.2 Measurements in IT networks........................................................................................20
3.6 Measurement of insulation resistance.................................................................... 21
3.6.1 Settings of measurements .............................................................................................21
3.7 Low-voltage measurement of resistance ...............................................................23
3.7.1 Measurement of resistance............................................................................................23
3.7.2 Measurement of resistance of protective conductors and equipotential bonding with ±200
mA current.....................................................................................................................24
3.8 Checking sequence of phases............................................................................... 25
3.9 Illuminance measurements....................................................................................26
4Auto measurements ......................................................................................27
4.1 Setting automatic measurements RCD.................................................................27
4.2 Automatic measurement of RCD ...........................................................................29
5Memory of the meter......................................................................................31
5.1 Memory of measurements ..................................................................................... 31
5.1.1 Memory settings ............................................................................................................31
5.1.2 Structure of the memory ................................................................................................32
5.1.3 Entering the measurement result...................................................................................32
6Power supply..................................................................................................33
6.1 Monitoring of the battery charge status.................................................................. 33
6.2 Replacing rechargeable batteries ..........................................................................33
6.3 Charging the rechargeable batteries...................................................................... 33

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7Technical data................................................................................................33
7.1 Basic data ..............................................................................................................34
7.1.1 Measurement of alternating voltages (True RMS)..........................................................34
7.1.2 Frequency measurement...............................................................................................34
7.1.3 Measurement of fault loop impedance ZL-PE, ZL-N, ZL-L...................................................34
7.1.4 Measurement of fault loop impedance ZL-PE[RCD] (without triggering of RCD)..................35
7.1.5 Measurement of parameters of RCD .............................................................................35
7.1.6 Measurement of resistance to earth RE..........................................................................36
7.1.7 Low-voltage measurement of continuity of circuit and resistance...................................37
7.1.8 Measurement of insulation resistance............................................................................38
7.1.9 Light measurements ......................................................................................................39
7.1.10 Phase sequence............................................................................................................39
8Equipment ......................................................................................................40
8.1 Standard equipment...............................................................................................40

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1 Security
MPI-535 meter is designed for performing check tests of protection against electric shock in
AC mains systems and recording mains systems parameters. The meter is used for performing
measurements and providing results to determine the level safety of electrical installations.
Therefore, in order to provide conditions for correct operation and accuracy of obtained results,
the following recommendations must be observed:
Before you proceed to operate the meter, familiarise yourself thoroughly with this manual
and observe the safety regulations and specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Any application that differs from those specified in this manual may result in a damage to the
device and constitute a source of danger for the user.
MPI-535 meters must be operated only by appropriately qualified personnel with relevant cer-
tificates authorising the personnel to perform works on electric systems. Unauthorized use of
the meter may result in its damage and may be a source of serious hazard to the user.
Using this manual does not exclude the need to comply with occupational health and safety
regulations and with other relevant fire regulations required during the performance of a par-
ticular type of work. Before starting the work with the device in special environments, e.g. po-
tentially fire-risk/explosive environment, it is necessary to consult it with the person responsi-
ble for health and safety.
It is unacceptable to operate:
a damaged meter which is completely or partially out of order,
a meter with damaged insulation,
a meter stored for an excessive period of time in disadvantageous conditions (e.g. excessive
humidity). If the meter has been transferred from a cool to a warm environment with a high
level of relative humidity, do not start measurements until the meter is warmed up to the am-
bient temperature (approximately 30 minutes).
If the battery is discharged to a level preventing further measurements, the meter displays an
appropriate message and then turns off.
Battery spill and damage to the meter may occur if discharged batteries are left in the meter.
Before measurement, make sure that test leads are connected to appropriate measuring ter-
minals.
Do not operate a meter with an open or incorrectly closed battery (accumulator) compartment
or power it from other sources than those specified in the present manual.
RISO meter inputs are electronically protected against overloads (caused by e.g. connecting
the meter to a live circuit) up to 463 V RMS for 60 seconds.
Repairs may be performed only by an authorised service point.
NOTE!
Only standard and additional accessories for a given device should be used, as listed
in section 8. Using other accessories may cause damage to measuring terminals, in-
troduce additional measurement errors and create a risk for the user.
Due to continuous development of the meter’s software, the actual appearance of the
display, in case of some of the functions, may differ from the display presented in this
operating manual.

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2 Main menu
The main screen is available:
after the meter has been turned on,
at any time after the icon has been selected on the display (does not apply to the
recorder).
Fig. 2.1 Main elements of the screen
Name of the active menu
The fact of introducing a change that has not been saved yet is indicated by the *symbol in
the screen header.
Time
Date
Main screen
Free space on the memory card
If the card is not in the slot, the icon on the screen is crossed out.
Wireless network signal strength
Battery discharge indicator
Active menu help
Tapping a selected main menu item redirects to the sub-menu. Available options:
Settings –going to the settings of the main functions and parameters of the meter,
Measurements –Selecting the measurement function. The description of individual functions
is provided in section 3,
Memory –viewing and managing the saved measurement results (described in section 5),
Meter information.
A detailed description of individual functionalities is provided in the full version of the
manual on the website www.sonel.pl/en.

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2.1 Meter settings
The date, time and display brightness can be set from the Meter settings screen.
In the main menu select
Settings.
Select Meter settings.
2.2 Measurement settings
From the Measurement settings menu it is possible to edit:
measurement settings - mains parameters,
fuses database.

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2.2.1 Sub-menu Measurement Settings
The option of Measurement settings contains the following items:
mains rated voltage,
network frequency,
manner of presentation of fault loop result,
type of mains for the tested object,
system of units,
memory settings (auto-incrementing memory cells).
Before the measurements, select the mains type from which the tested object is powered.
Then select the mains rated Unvoltage (110/190 V, 115/200 V, 127/220 V, 220/380 V, 230/400 V
or 240/415 V). This voltage value is used for calculating the values of prospective short-circuit
current.
Determination of network frequency fnthat is the source of potential interferences, is neces-
sary in order to select a proper measuring signal frequency in resistance to earth measurements.
This selection ensures optimum interference filtering. The meter is designed for filtration of inter-
ferences generated by 50 Hz and 60 Hz networks.
Setting Auto-increment as active (  ) places each saved measurement in an au-
tomatically created new measurement point.
2.3 USB communication
The B-type USB port built-in in the meter is used to connect the meter to the computer in or-
der to download the data stored in its memory. The data may be downloaded directly from the
Windows system or through the software provided by the manufacturer.
In addition, the meter is compatible with PC software.
Sonel Reader –the software is used to retrieve the data saved from the meter
memory. In addition, it enables data transfer to the PC, data saving in popular formats
and printing.
Detailed information is available from the manufacturer and distributors.
Connect the cable to the USB port of the computer and the type B USB slot of the meter.
Start the programme.

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2.4 Regional settings
Expand the list of languages to
select from.
Select the required language.
Description of function icons
returning to the previous
screen (you may be prompted
to save or reject changes)
saving changes
returning to the main menu
3 Measurements
WARNING
During measurements (fault loop, RCD), do not touch conductive, accessible or
foreign parts of the tested electrical installation.
The following tests are available from the Measurements menu:
fault loop impedance (ZL-N, ZL-PE, ZL-PE[RCD] for mains secured with RCD),
insulation resistance RISO,
RCD efficiency (operating current RCD IAand operate time RCD tA),
resistance RX,
continuity of connections RCONT,
phase sequence 1-2-3,
resistance to earth RE,
soil resistivity Ωm,
illuminance Lux.

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3.1 Checking the correctness of PE (protective earth) con-
nections
When the meter is connected as in the drawing, touch the contact electrode and wait for
about 1 second. If voltage is detected on the PE conductor, the device:
will display text (installation error, the PE conductor connected to the phase con-
ductor) and
will generate a continuous audio signal
This option is available for all measuring functions that apply to residual current devices (RCD)
and fault loop except ZL-N measurement.
WARNING
When phase voltage is detected on PE lead, measurements must be immediate-
ly stopped and a fault in the installation must be removed.
Make sure to stand on non-insulated ground when measuring. Insulated ground
may cause an incorrect test result.
If the voltage on the PE conductor exceeds the acceptable limit value (ap-
prox. 50 V), the meter will signal the fact.

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3.2 Measurement of fault loop parameters
Select item ZL-N, ZL-PE
or ZL-PE[RCD].
3.2.1 Measurement of fault loop parameters in the L-N and L-L circuits
Connect test leads according to
the drawing:
or for measurement in the
L-N circuit,
for measurement in the L-L
circuit.
Select item ZL-N.
Select other settings and perform the measurement using the START button on the device.

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3.2.2 Measurement of fault loop parameters in the L-PE circuit
Connect test leads according to Fig. 3.1 or Fig. 3.2.
Fig. 3.1 Measurement in L-PE circuit
Fig. 3.2 Checking effectiveness of protection against electric shock of the meter housing
in case of: TN network or TT network
Select item ZL-PE.
Select other settings and perform the measurement using the START button on the device.

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3.2.3 Measurement of fault loop impedance in L-PE circuit protected
with a residual current device (RCD)
Connect test leads according to Fig. 3.3, Fig. 3.4 or Fig. 3.5.
Fig. 3.3
Measurement in the
TN-S system
Fig. 3.4
Measurement in the
TT system
Fig. 3.5
Measurement in the
TN-C-S system

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Select item ZL-PE[RCD].
Select other settings and perform the measurement using the START button on the device.
3.2.4 Measurement of fault loop impedance in IT networks
Before performing the measurements select the appropriate network type in the Measurement
settings menu.
NOTE!
After selecting an IT type network, the function of the contact electrode is inactive.
When attempting to perform the ZL-PE and ZL-PE[RCD] measurement a message will
appear informing that the measurement is impossible.
The manner of connecting the device to the installation is shown in Fig. 3.6.
The manner of performing the fault loop measurements is described in section 3.2.1.
Operating voltage range: 95 V … 440 V.
Fig. 3.6 Measurement in the IT
system

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3.3 Measurement of resistance to earth
WARNING
Measurement of resistance to earth may be carried out if voltage of interfer-
ences does not exceed 24 V. Voltage of interferences is measured up to the
level of 100 V.
Over 50V it is signalled as hazardous. The meter must not be connected to
voltages exceeding 100 V.
3.3.1 Settings of measurements
Select item RE.
3.3.2 Measurement of resistance to earth using 3P method
The three-pole measuring method is the basic type of resistance to earth measurement.
Disconnect earth electrode being tested from the installation of the building.
Drive the current electrode into the ground and connect to the Hsocket of the meter.
Drive the voltage electrode into the ground and connect to the Ssocket of the meter.
The earth electrode being tested should be connected to Esocket of the meter.
It is recommended that the tested earth electrode as well as Hand Selectrodes should be
located along one line and at relevant distances, in accordance with the rules of earth
measurements.

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Select the 3P option in the
measurement menu.
Select other settings and per-
form the measurement using the
START button.
3.3.3 Measurement of resistance to earth using 4P method
Disconnect earth electrode being tested from the installation of the building.
Drive the current electrode into the ground and connect to the Hsocket of the meter.
Drive the voltage electrode into the ground and connect to the Ssocket of the meter.
The earth electrode being tested should be connected to Esocket of the meter with the
lead.
ES socket should be connected to the tested earth electrode below Elead.
It is recommended that the tested earth electrode as well as Hand Selectrodes should be
located along one line and at relevant distances, in accordance with the rules of earth
measurements.

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Select the 4P option in the
measurement menu.
Select other ones and perform
the measurement using the
START button.
3.3.4 Measurement of resistance to earth using double clamp method

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Transmitting clamps and measuring clamps should be attached to the tested earth
electrode at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other.
The arrow on the clamps can be directed in any direction.
Connect the transmitting clamps N-1 to Hand Esocket.
Connect the measuring clamps C-3 to the clamp socket.
Select the clamps +
clamps option in the
measurement menu.
Select other settings and
perform the measurement
using the START button.
3.4 Measuring soil resistivity
For soil resistivity measurements –used as preparation for the designing the earthing system
or in geology measurements –a separate function is provided: measurement of soil resistivity 
This function is identical to 4-pole measurement of earth resistance, however, it contains an addi-
tional procedure of entering the distance between the electrodes. The measurement result is the
resistivity value, calculated automatically according to the formula applied in Wenner method:
ρ= 2  LRE
where:
L –distance between the electrodes (all distances must be equal),
RE–measured resistance.
3.4.1 Settings of measurements
Select item Ωm.

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3.4.2 Soil resistivity measurements
Drive 4 probes into the ground in one line and at equal distances.
Connect the probes to the meter according to the drawing above.
Call up the measurement
menu.
Select other settings and per-
form the measurement using
the START button.