Triplett AM320-NIST User manual

User Manual
AM320
CFM/CMM Thermo- Anemometer +
InfraRed Thermometer
5 Commonwealth Ave5 Commonwealth Ave
Woburn, MA 01801Woburn, MA 01801
Phone [phone]Phone [phone]
TollToll Free 1-800-517-8431Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Triplett AM320 CFM/CMM
Thermo Anemometer with InfraRed Thermometer. This instrument
measures Air Velocity, Air Flow (volume), Air Temperature (with probe)
and Surface Temperature (with the InfraRed function). The large, easy-
to-read backlit LCD includes primary and secondary displays plus
numerous status indicators. The InfraRed feature includes a laser
pointer for convenient targeting. In addition, the meter can store 16
area setting dimension for easy recall. This meter is shipped fully tested
and calibrated and with proper use will provide years of reliable service.
Safety
Use extreme caution when the laser pointer beam is on
Do not point the beam toward anyone's eye
or allow the beam to strike the eye from a
reflective surface
Do not use the laser near explosive
gases or in other potentially explosive
areas
CAUTIONS
Improper use of this meter can cause damage, shock, injury or
death. Read and understand this user manual before operating
the meter.
Inspect the condition of the probe and the meter itself for any
damage before operating the meter. Repair or replace any
damage before use.
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
impaired.
This device is not a toy and must not reach children’s hands. It
contains hazardous objects as well as small parts that the children
could swallow. In case a child swallows any of them, please contact
a physician immediately

Do not leave batteries and packing material lying around
unattended; they can be dangerous for children if they use them
as toys
In case the device is going to be unused for an extended period of
time, remove the batteries to prevent them from draining
Expired or damaged batteries can cause cauterization on
contact with the skin. Always, therefore, use suitable hand
gloves in such cases
See that the batteries are not short-circuited. Do not throw batteries into
the fire.
Do not directly view or direct the laser pointer at an eye. Low
power visible lasers do not normally present a hazard, but may
present some potential for hazard if viewed directly for extended
periods of time

Meter Description
1. Power ON/OFF button
2. Probe input jack
3. Laser pointer
4. IR Sensor
5. Rubber holster
6. LCD Display
7. IR thermometer
measurement button
8. Airflow buttons (4)
9. Air Temperature
function buttons (2)
10. Vane
11. Airflow Average
button
12. Backlight button
13. MAX‐MIN button for TEMPERATURE mode
14. HOLD for TEMPERTAURE functions
15. MAX‐MIN button for AIR VELOCITY/AIR FLOW (also used as left arrow
button)
16. UNITS for AIR VELOCITY/AIR FLOW mode (also used as up arrow button)
17. HOLD for AIR VELOCITY/AIR FLOW mode (also used as right arrow button)
18. AREA button for AIR FLOW (Volume) mode
See next section for additional keypad description information.
Battery compartment is located on rear of instrument, rubber meter
jacket must be removed to access battery compartment

Keypad
 Press to turn the meter ON or OFF
 IR + Laser Pointer Press and hold to measure.
 MAX/MIN (Airflow) Record and store the highest and
lowest airflow or velocity readings. ◄ (LEFT) also serves as
change decimal point button in AREA mode
 UNITS Press to select the mode of operation. In FLOW mode,
the meter displays air volume. In VELOCITY mode, the meter
displays air speed. ▲ (UP) also serves as increase number
button in AREA mode.
 HOLD Press to freeze the displayed reading. Press again to
unlock display. ►(RIGHT) also serves as change digit button in
AREA mode.
 AREA Press and hold to manually enter the area of a duct in CFM
or CMM mode.
o Press and hold to scroll thru memory locations.
o This button also clears memory in the Averaging mode.
 Press to turn the backlight on/off. Hold to disable Auto Power
Off.
 MAX/MIN (Temperature) Press to record and store
the highest, lowest readings for air temperature.
 HOLD (Temperature) Press to freeze the displayed temperature
reading. Press again to unlock the display.
 AVG Press and hold to enter averaging mode. Averages up to 20
readings.

Display Layout
MAX (top of LCD): Max Hold function engaged for the Air Temperature
function
HOLD (top of LCD): Data Hold function engaged for the Air Temperature
function
PROBE TEMP: Reminder that the
top LCD digits represent Air (Vane)
Temperature
: Indicates that the laser
pointer is on.
IR TEMP: Indicates that the larger
LCD digits represent IR
temperature measurement
VEL: indicates that meter is in air
velocity mode
FLOW: indicates that meter is in air flow mode
MAX (bottom of LCD): Max Hold for the IR Temperature and RH function
HOLD (bottom of LCD): Data Hold for the IR Temperature function and
RH function
oC / oF: Temperature units of measure
CFM/CMM: airflow units of measure
Ft2, m2: units for area dimensions
m/s, ft/min, km/h, MPH, knots: air velocity units of measure
X10, X100: multipliers for air flow readings
AVG: air averaging mode
RECORD: indicates that min/max function is running
(top for temp, bottom for air) Large LCD digits at center
of display for Relative Humidity and IR Temperature
Smaller LCD digits at top, right of display for Probe
Temperature
: Low battery indicator

Operation
Connecting the Vane
1. The vane plug is inserted in the meter’s sensor jack at the top of
the meter. The plug and jack are keyed so that the plug can only fit
in the jack one way.
2. Turn the plug carefully until it lines up with the jack and then firmly
push the plug in place. Do not apply undue force or try to twist the plug
side-to-side.
3. If the vane is not connected to the meter or if the sensor is
defective, the LCD display will indicate dashed lines in place of
an air velocity reading.
Air Velocity Measurements
1. Turn on the meter using the ON/OFF
button.
2. Press UNITS button to select the desired unit
of measure. NOTE: At power up the meter will
display the last unit of measure previously
entered.
3. Place the sensor in the air stream. Ensure that
the air enters the vane as indicated by the
arrow sticker placed inside the vane. Refer to
the diagram.
4. View the air velocity and temperature readings
on the LCD Display. The large main LCD
display shows the Air Velocity reading. The upper right LCD sub-
display shows the temperature reading.

Air Velocity Measurements (Up to 20 Point averaging)
1. To enter 20 Point Averaging Mode, press and hold the AVG button
until it beeps twice. The AVG icon will be displayed.
2. Take a measurement and press the AVG button. A single beep will
sound and the HOLD icon will appear in the display.
3. The average reading will be displayed and number of readings
measured will appear in the upper right hand corner of the display.
After 5 seconds, the display will return to the current reading.
4. Repeat steps 2 - 3 until all desired points have been measured.
5. To return to standard velocity measuring mode press and hold
AVG button until meter beeps twice.
Note: In the standard velocity measuring mode, press the AVG button
once to recall the previous average. The average will be cleared
when you enter the Averaging Mode again.
Air Flow Measurements (CMM / CFM)
1. Turn on the meter using the ON/OFF button
2. Press the UNITS button to select the desired air
flow units: CMM (cubic meters per minute) or
CFM (cubic feet per minute). NOTE: At power up
the meter will display the last unit of measure
previously entered.
3. To begin entering the area in m2 or ft2, press and
hold the AREA button until it beeps twice. The
leftmost digit of the bottom display will begin to
flash.
4. Use the ▲ (UP) button to change the flashing digit
Use the ◄ (LEFT) button to move the decimal Use ►
(RIGHT) button to select the other digits.
After all of the digits are entered, press and hold the AREA button
(until meter beeps twice) to save the area into memory and return
to CFM or CMM measuring mode.

5. Place the sensor in the air stream. Ensure that the air enters the
vane as indicated by the arrow sticker placed inside the vane. Refer
to the diagram. The large main LCD display shows the Air Velocity
reading. The upper right LCD sub-display shows the temperature
reading.
The meter has 16 memory locations (8 for CFM and 8 for CMM) that can
be used to store commonly used area sizes that you can recall at anytime.
1. Press the AREA button until meter beeps twice. A memory location
number will appear in the top right of the display indicating the
memory location.
2. Push the AREA button to scroll thru and select the desired
location. Once you have selected the desired memory location
enter your dimension
Use the ▲ (UP) button to
change the flashing digit
Use the ◄ (LEFT) button
to move the decimal
Use ► (RIGHT) button to select the other digits. After all of the digits
are entered, press and hold the AREA button (until it beeps twice) to
save the area into memory and return to CFM or CMM measuring
mode.
To select and use a previously stored dimension, press and hold the AREA
button until it beeps twice.
Press AREA to scroll thru the 8 memory locations. Press and hold the
AREA button until it beeps twice to return to the CFM or CMM
measuring mode.
Air Flow Measurements (Up to 20 Point averaging)
1. To enter 20 Point Averaging Mode, press and hold the AVG
button until it beeps twice. The AVG icon will be displayed.
2. Take a measurement and press the AVG button. A single beep will
sound and the HOLD icon will appear in the display.
3. The average reading will be displayed and number of readings
measured will appear in the upper right hand corner of the display.

After 5 seconds, the display will return to the current reading.
(IMPORTANT: Please note that the average readings are only held
for 5 seconds and cannot be recalled.)
4. Repeat steps 2 - 3 until all desired points have been measured.
5. Press the AREA button to clear the multipoint averaging memory.
6. To return to standard airflow measuring mode press and hold
AVG button until meter beeps twice.
Data Hold (Air Velocity/Air Flow)
1. While taking measurements, press the HOLD button to freeze the air
velocity/air flow reading for later viewing.
2. The HOLD indicator will appear in the bottom of the LCD display.
3. Press HOLD again to return to normal operation.
MAX/MIN/AVG Record (Air Velocity/Air Flow)
This allows the user to record and view the highest (MAX), lowest
(MIN) and average (AVG) readings.
* Press the Airflow MAX/MIN button. The AVG indicator and
RECORD indicator along with the average reading will appear on the
LCD display and the meter will begin keeping track of the MAX, MIN
and Average values.
* Press the MAX/MIN button again. The MAX indicator will appear on
the display and display the Max reading.
* Press the MAX/MIN button again to view the minimum reading. The
MIN indicator along with the minimum reading will appear on the LCD
display and display the Min reading.
* Press the MAX/MIN button again to display current readings.
NOTE: the meter will keep recording MAX/MIN/AVG readings.
* To clear and stop MAX/MIN/AVG recording and return to normal
operation, press the AREA button once when displaying the
current reading.
Temperature Units
1. Remove the meter’s rubber protective jacket and select the desired
temperature units using the °F/°C slide switch located in the battery
compartment.

2. Replace the protective jacket and connect the sensor to the
sensor input jack on top of the meter.
Data Hold (Air Temperature)
1. While taking measurements, press the PROBE TEMPERATURE
HOLD button to freeze the air temperature reading.
2. The HOLD indicator will appear in the bottom of the LCD display.
3. Press PROBE TEMPERATURE HOLD again to return to normal
operation.
Max/Min Record (Air Temperature)
This allows the user to record and view the highest (MAX), lowest (MIN)
air temperature readings.
1. Press the Temperature MAX/MIN button once. The MAX indicator
will appear on the display and the meter will begin keeping track of
the MAX/MIN air temperature values.
2. Press the button again to view the minimum reading. The MIN
indicator along with the minimum air temperature reading will appear
on the LCD display.
3. Press the button again to return to normal operation.
Automatic Power OFF
To conserve battery life, the meter automatically turns off after 20 minutes.
To override this feature:
1. Turn the meter OFF.
2. Press and hold the (Backlight) key while turning the meter ON.
3. “dis APO” will appear in the display. The AUTO POWER OFF feature
will now be disabled.
4. Note that AUTO POWER OFF is re-enabled each time the meter is
turned on.
Also note that AUTO POWER OFF is disabled in CFM/CMM mode

InfraRed (Non-Contact) Temperature Measurements
1. The IR sensor is located at the top of the meter.
2. Point the sensor toward the surface to be measured.
3. Press and hold the red IR button to begin measuring
the surface temperature of a desired target. IR TEMP
and will appear on the display. The laser pointer
will switch on to help aim the meter.
4. The measured IR surface temperature will appear at
the center of the LCD (larger digits). The temperature
displayed is the temperature of the area within the spot.
5. When the red IR button is released, the laser pointer
will switch off and the reading will freeze (data hold) on
the display for approximately 3 seconds.
6. Note that the vane (Air Temperature) continues to monitor
temperature during IR tests and its temperature is displayed
on the top of the LCD (smaller digits).
7. After approximately 3 seconds the meter
defaults to the Air Flow and Air Temperature
display.
WARNING: Do not directly view or direct the laser pointer at an eye.
Low power visible lasers do not normally present a hazard, but may
present some potential for hazard if viewed directly for extended periods
of time.

Battery Replacement
When appears on the LCD, the 9V battery must be replaced.
1. Disconnect the vane.
2. Remove the meter’s rubber protective jacket
3. Use a Phillips screwdriver to open the rear battery compartment
4. Replace the 9V battery
5. Close the battery compartment and replace the meter’s protective jacket
Never dispose of used batteries or rechargeable batteries in household
waste.
As consumers, users are legally required to take used batteries to
appropriate collection sites, the retail store where the batteries were
purchased, or wherever batteries are sold.Disposal: Do not dispose of this
instrument in household waste. The user is obligated to take end‐of‐life
devices to a designated collection point for the disposal of electrical and
electronic equipment.
Other Battery Safety Reminders
1. Never dispose of batteries in a fire. Batteries may explode or leak.
Never mix battery types. Always install new batteries of the same type
Specifications
Air Velocity
Range
Resolution
Accuracy
m/s (meters per
sec)
0.40 - 30.00 m/s
0.01 m/s
± (3%rdg + 0.20
m/s)
km/h
(kilometers/hour)
1.4 - 108.0 km/h
0.1 km/h
± (3%rdg + 0.8
km/hr)
ft/min (feet per
minute)
80 – 5900 ft/min
1 ft/min
± (3%rdg + 40
ft/m)
mph (miles per
hour)
0.9 – 67.0 mph
0.1 mph
± (3%rdg + 0.4
MPH)
knots (nautical
MPH)
0.8 to 58.0 knots
0.1 knots
± (3%rdg + 0.4
knots)

Air Flow
Range
Resolution
Area
CMM (cubic
meters/min)
0-999999 m
3
/min
0.1
0 to 999.9m
2
CFM (cubic
ft/min)
0-999999 ft
3
/min
0.1
0 to 999.9ft
2
Air
Temperature
Range
Resolution
Accuracy
14 - 140
o
F (-10 -
60
o
C)
0.1
o
F/C
4.0
o
F (2.0
o
C)
InfraRed
Temperature
Range
Resolution
Accuracy
-58 to -4
o
F (-50 to -
20
o
C)
1
o
F/C
±9.0
o
F (5.0
o
C)
-4 to 500
o
F (-20 to
260
o
C)
±2% reading or
±4
o
F
(2
o
C) whichever
is
greater
Circuit
Custom LSI microprocessor
circuit
Display
Dual function 13 mm (0.5") 4-
digit LCD
Sampling rate
1 reading per
second approx.
Sensors
Air velocity/flow sensor: Conventional angled vane
arms with low-friction
ball bearing.
Temperature sensors: NTC-type precision
thermistor and InfraRed
IR Spectral
response
6 to 14µm
IR Emissivity
0.95 fixed
IR distance ratio
8:1
IR sampling rate
2.5 readings per second approx.
Automatic Power
off
Auto shut off after 20 minutes to preserve battery
life
Operating
Temperature
0°C to 50°C (32°F to
122°F)

Storage
Temperature
-10 to 60oC (14 to
140oF)
Operating Humidity
<80% RH
Storage Humidity
<80% RH
Operating Altitude
2000 meters (7000ft) maximum
Battery
One 9 volt (NEDA 1604) battery
Battery life
80 hours approx. (if Backlight and Laser are used
continuously the
Battery current
battery life is reduced to 2 to 3 hours approx.)
8.3 mA DC approx.
Weight
725g (1.6 lbs) including battery
& probe
Dimensions
Main instrument: 178 x 74 x 33mm (7.0 x 2.9 x1.2")
Sensor Head: 70mm (2.75”)
Diameter
Infrared Measurement Considerations
When taking IR measurements the meter automatically
compensates for ambient temperature changes. Note that it may
take up to 30minutes to adjust to extremely wide ambient
changes.
Low temperature measurements quickly followed by high
temperature measurements may require several minutes to
stabilize as a result of the IR sensor cooling process.
If the surface of the object under test is covered with frost, oil,
grime, etc., clean before taking measurements.
If an object's surface is highly reflective apply masking tape or flat
black paint before measuring. Steam, dust, smoke, etc. can obstruct
measurements.
To find a hot spot, aim the meter outside the area of interest then
scan across (in an up and down motion) until the hot spot is
located.

IR Theory
IR thermometers measure the surface temperature of an object. The
meter’s optics sense emitted, reflected, & transmitted energy that is
collected and focused onto the meter’s detector. The meter’s circuitry
translates this information into an LCD reading.
IR Field of View
Ensure that the desired target is larger than the spot size as shown in the
diagram below. As the distance from an object increases, the spot size of
the area measured by the meter becomes larger. The meter’s field of view
ratio is 8:1, meaning that if the meter is 8 inches from the target, the
diameter (spot) of the object under test must be at least 1 inch. Other
distances are shown below in the field of view diagram.
Emissivity
Most organic materials and painted or oxidized surfaces have an
emissivity of 0.95. Inaccurate readings will result when measuring shiny
or polished surfaces. To compensate, cover the surface under test with
masking tape or flat black paint. Allow time for the tape to reach the
same temperature as the material underneath then measure the
temperature of the tape or the painted surface.

Thermal Emissivity Table for Common Materials
Material
Emissivity
Material
Emissivity
Asphalt
0.90 to 0.98
Cloth (black)
0.98
Concrete
0.94
Human skin
0.98
Cement
0.96
Leather
0.75 to 0.80
Sand
0.90
Charcoal
(powder)
0.96
Earth
0.92 to 0.96
Lacquer
0.80 to 0.95
Water
0.67
Lacquer (matt)
0.97
Ice
0.96 to 0.98
Rubber (black)
0.94
Snow
0.83
Plastic
0.85 to 0.95
Glass
0.85 to 1.00
Timber
0.90
Ceramic
0.90 to 0.94
Paper
0.70 to 0.94
Marble
0.94
Chromium oxides
0.81
Plaster
0.80 to 0.90
Copper Oxides
0.78
Mortar
0.89 to 0.91
Iron Oxides
0.78 to 0.82
Brick
0.93 to 0.96
Textiles
0.90
Useful Equations and Conversions
Area equation for rectangular or square ducts
Height (H)
Area (A) = Width (W) x Height (H)
Width (W)

Area equation for circular ducts
Radius
Area (A) = x r2
Where = 3.14 and r2= radius x radius
Cubic equations
CFM (ft3/min) = Air Velocity (ft/min) x Area (ft2)
CMM (m3/min) = Air Velocity (m/sec) x Area (m2) x 60
NOTE: Measurements made in inches
must be converted to feet or meters before using the above
formulae.
Unit of Measure Conversion Table
m/s
ft/min
knots
km/h
MPH
1 m/s
1
196.87
1.944
3.6
2.24
1 ft/min
0.00508
1
0.00987
0.01829
0.01138
1 knot
0.5144
101.27
1
1.8519
1.1523
1 km/h
0.2778
54.69
0.54
1
0.6222
1 MPH
0.4464
87.89
0.8679
1.6071
1

Warranty
Triplett / Jewell Instruments extends the following warranty to the original purchaser of
these goods for use. Triplett warrants to the original purchaser for use that the products
sold by it will be free from defects in workmanship and material for a period of (1) one
year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any of our products
which have been repaired or altered by unauthorized persons in any way or purchased
from unauthorized distributors so as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or
reliability, or which have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence,
accident or which have had the serial numbers altered, defaced, or removed.
Accessories, including batteries are not covered by this warranty
Copyright ©2021 Triplett
Test Equipment Depot -800.517.8431 -5 Commonwealth Ave, Woburn, MA 01801
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