TA018 60 A Current Clamp

User's Guide

V300
MPA
CLA I 60.I
TA
C

60A (10mV/Amp)
20A (100mV/Amp)
OFF

POWER
LO BATZEROINPUT:60A MAX
OUTPUT: 10mV/A,100mV/A
MAX VOLTAGE:240VAC/300VDC
300V,CATII,60A

TA018 60 A Current Clamp User's Guide

Pico TechnologyIntroduction
The TA018 60 A AC/DC Current Clamp is a transducer that you can use with youroscilloscope to measure low electrical currents up to 60 A AC/DC with a frequency
response up to 20 kHz. You can perform current measurements without having to breaka circuit or disturb the insulation. With the extended measurement jaws you can accessnarrow spaces. The clamp has a simple zero adjustment button you can use whenmeasuring DC current. The clamp is suitable for leakage detection and monitoring.

Application procedures
Connect the BNC plug to the input of any oscilloscope (or other voltage measuringinstrument) with an input impedance of at least 10 kΩ.
Set the power switch from OFF to the desired range: 20A (100mV/Amp) or
60A (10mV/Amp). The green POWER LED will light to indicate that the clamp is switchedon.
Before measuring DC current, always press the ZERO button on the clamp until theoscilloscope reads zero.
For measuring currents below 20 A, set the unit to the 20A (100mV/Amp) range.
For measuring currents above 20 A, set the unit to the 60A (10mV/Amp) range.
Clamp the jaws around the current-carrying conductor, note the arrow on the jaw whichshould point in the same direction as the current flow. If you clamp it on the other way, thesignal will be inverted on the screen.

DC measurements
The output is positive when the current flows from the front to the back of the clamp.
A hysteresis effect can occur, meaning that the clamp cannot be zeroed in the usual way.
To eliminate this effect, open and close the jaws several times and push the ZERO button.

Accuracy
For example: If the measured conductor carries a 100 mA current, set the current clamp to
the 20A (100 mV/Amp) range to get an output signal of 10 mV. Suppose the accuracy of
the unit is 2.0%, then the tolerance limits should be 9.80 mV to 10.20 mV.
When the unit is connected to an oscilloscope whose accuracy is stated as 0.5% on its±200 mV range, the reading displayed on the oscilloscope will be between:
10.20 mV × (1 + 0.5%) = 10.25 mV max. and 9.80 mV × (1 – 0.5%) = 9.75 mV min.

Battery
The unit is powered by a 9 V 6LR61 battery. The current clamp has a battery life indicator, ared warning lamp, labelled LO BAT, which illuminates when the device is on and the battery
is running low and needs to be replaced.
If the battery is without charge, neither the green power indicator lamp, labelled POWER, or
the battery life indicator, labelled LO BAT, will illuminate when the device is turned on.
Changing the battery:
1. Ensure the clamp is disconnected from the measurement node, and oscilloscope
before changing the battery.
2. Remove the screw holding the battery compartment cover to the rear of the unit.
3. Slide open the battery compartment cover and remove it from the unit.
4. Remove the battery from its compartment and unclip it from the connector.
5. Clip the new battery to the connector and place it in the battery compartment.
6. Slide the battery compartment cover into place and replace the screw.
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TA018 60 A Current Clamp User's GuideSpecifications
GeneralConductor diameter

9 mm maximum

Low battery indicator

Red LEDBattery type

9 V, 6LR61, NEDA 1604, 6F22, 006P

Weight

250 g typicalDimensions

195 H x 70 W x 33 D (mm)OutputCoaxial cable with BNC(m) plug

Electrical (at 23 ±5 °C, 70 %RH maximum)
Effective measurement range
20A (100mV/Amp)

10 mA to 20 A DC or AC RMS

60A (10mV/Amp)

100 mA to 60 A DC or AC RMS

Accuracy
System accuracy

Current clamp accuracy + oscilloscope accuracy

Current clamp accuracy
DC, 20A (100mV/Amp) range:
10 mA ~ 20 A±(2.0% ± 5 mA)DC, 60A (10mV/Amp) range:
100 mA ~ 40 A
40 A ~ 60 A±(2.0% ± 20 mA)±(4.0% ± 0.3 A)

AC, 20A (100mV/Amp) range:
10 mA ~ 10 A (40 Hz – 2 kHz)
10 mA ~ 10 A (2 kHz – 10 kHz)
10 mA ~ 10 A (10 kHz – 20 kHz)
10 A ~ 15 A
(40 Hz – 20 kHz)±(2.0% ± 5 mA)±(4.0% ± 30 mA)±(6.0% ± 30 mA)±(8.0% ± 30 mA)AC, 60A (10mV/Amp) range:
100 mA ~ 40 A (40 Hz – 1 kHz)
100 mA ~ 40 A (1 kHz – 2 kHz)
100 mA ~ 40 A (3 kHz – 5 kHz)
40 A ~ 60 A
(40 Hz – 5 kHz)±(2.0% ± 30 mA)±(4.0% ± 30 mA)±(6.0% ± 30 mA)±(8.0% ± 0.3 A)

Load resistance

10 kΩ typical

Temperature coefficient 0.1 × (specified accuracy) per °C (0 °C to 18 °C, 28 °C to 40 °C)

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Pico Technology

Safety information
A WARNING identifies conditions or practices that could result in injury or death.
A CAUTION identifies conditions or practices that could result in damage to the product orequipment to which it is connected.
WARNINGTo prevent injury or death, use the product only as instructed. The protection provided by
the product may be impaired if used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer.
Safety: Conforms to EN 61010-1 and EN 61010-2-032, CAT II 300 V, Class II, Pollution
degree 2 indoor use.
CAT II: is for low-voltage measurements on circuits directly connected to the mains.
EMC: Conforms to EN 61326-1.
The symbols used on this instrument are:Dangerous voltage
Caution: refer to accompanying documents
Equipment protected by double insulation (Class II)
Alternating current
Direct current
WARNINGThe TA018 current probe has a tactile barrier provided for user safety. To prevent injury ordeath, do not hold the current probe beyond the tactile barrier when in use.
WARNINGThe TA018 current probe is marked with its maximum voltage rating, which applies
when clamped over an uninsulated conductor. To prevent injury or death, do not use thecurrent probe on an uninsulated conductor operating outside the probe’s marked voltage
protection levels.
WARNINGTo prevent injury or death, if the probe has asymbol or is not marked with anysymbol, always de-energize any uninsulated conductor before you install or remove theprobe.
A current probe with thesymbol may be safely installed on or removed from anuninsulated conductor while the conductor is energized (live).

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TA018 60 A Current Clamp User's Guide
WARNING

When measuring currents in uninsulated circuits connected directly to the utility power
supply, always use probes with the appropriate CAT ratings.
To prevent injury or death, always follow the CAT rating of the probe and do not use a non
CAT-rated current probe to measure utility power current.
Always use extreme caution when working around bare conductors or bus bars. Contact
with the conductor could result in electric shock. Always follow relevant industry-standard
safety procedures and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whereapplicable. Safety training is essential in these cases and should be separately gained.
CAUTION

To avoid damage to the probe and inaccurate readings, do not use a current probe on acircuit that exceeds the probe’s maximum rated frequency or the maximum rated current
at the measurement frequency.
All current probes have a maximum current rating which may be derated depending on
the measurement frequency in accordance with the following table:
Probe Probe maximum current by frequency Auto power-off
TA018

60 A pk max, DC to 40 kHz

Power supply/
battery

Connection

Battery

BNC

N/A

Environment
This product is for indoor use, in dry locations only.
WARNINGTo prevent injury or death, do not use in wet or damp conditions, or near explosive gas orvapor.
CAUTIONTo prevent damage, always use and store your unit in appropriate environments as below:

Probe

Operatingtemperature

Storagetemperature

TA018

0 to 40 °C−20 to +70 °C

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Operatinghumidity

Storagehumidity(non-condensing)
5 to 70 %RH

5 to 80 %RH

Pollution
degreeMax.
altitude

22000 m5

TA018 60 A Current Clamp User's Guide

Pico Technology

Care of the product
The product contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair, servicing and adjustment require
specialized test equipment and must only be performed by Pico Technology or anapproved service provider. There may be a charge for these services unless covered by thePico one year warranty.
Inspect the probe and all connectors and cables before use for signs of damage.
WARNINGTo prevent electric shock do not tamper with or disassemble the probe, case parts, orconnectors.
Cleaning: Wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives orsolvents. Dirt or moisture in the terminals can affect readings.

Warranty
Your current clamp is guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase against defective
material or workmanship. If the clamp fails during the warranty period, we shall, at ourdiscretion, repair or replace it with a new or reconditioned unit provided we are satisfied
that the failure is due to defective material or workmanship. To make a claim underwarranty, return the clamp to us, postage prepaid, with a description of the defect. The useof a battery other than that specified invalidates this warranty.
Goods alleged by the buyer to be defective shall not form the subject of any claim for injury,
loss, damage, or any expense howsoever incurred, whether arising directly or indirectlyfrom such alleged defects other than death or personal injury resulting from the seller’snegligence.
No condition is made or to be implied, nor is any warranty given or to be implied as to thelife or wear of goods supplied or that they will be suitable for any particular purpose or for
use under specific conditions, notwithstanding that such purpose or conditions may bemade known to the seller.

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TA018 60 A Current Clamp User's Guide7

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