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HB
HB 1872006

Guide to Selecting a Safe Multimeter

HB 1872006

Handbook
This is a free 6 page sample. Access the full version at http://infostore.saiglobal.com.

Guide to selecting a safe multimeter

First published as HB 1872006.

COPYRIGHT Standards Australia All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the publisher. Published by Standards Australia, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia ISBN 0 7337 7705 8

HB 1872006

INTRODUCTION
This Handbook was prepared by Standards Australia with the assistance of technical committee EL-049, Safety of Electrical Equipment for Measurement and Laboratory Use, following concerns relating to the lack of public and industry awareness of AS 61010.1, Safety of electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use, and a poor understanding of safety specifications when purchasing electrical test and measuring equipment (such as digital multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes, insulation testers and similar equipment). The objective of this Handbook is to provide for all users a basic understanding of the important safety criteria which are specified in AS 61010.1. The Australian marketplace provides a wide variety of test and measuring equipment that has been designed and manufactured to many differing safety specifications with a broad range in price and quality. This can be very confusing for users.
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Users need to consider the following questions: How important is a well-designed and manufactured meter for your safety? How do you know if this meter is safe for the intended use? How important is verification testing by an independent testing laboratory?

This Handbook is arranged in two parts Part 1 provides basic information. Part 2 provides further information that would suit technical/professional users. Standards Australia acknowledges the support of the industry group members represented on Standards Committee EL-049 in the preparation of this Handbook. Reading this information will assist in selecting a safe meter for a particular application.
NOTES: 1. AS 61010.1 applies to electrical equipment that is used for testing, measuring, control and laboratory use on circuits operating at low voltage as defined by AS/NZS 3000, Electrical installations. (i.e. for voltages not exceeding 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c.). 2. This Handbook explains the measurement categories and voltage ratings as these are the primary design safety markings that users can identify on the outside of the meter and packaging. 3. To correctly specify a meter, both the measurement category and voltage must be stated. e.g. CAT III 600 V. 4. Whilst this Handbook has been written for users selecting a digital multimeter, the safety criteria are equally applicable to all test and measuring equipment. 5. AS 61010.1 is almost identical to IEC 61010-1 except for minor changes to Tests for resistance to fire. All imported equipment will refer to IEC 61010-1. 6. The photographs used in this Handbook as examples show particular brands of test and measuring equipment, however other brands would also be acceptable if they comply with AS 61010.1. 7. It is recommended that all personnel (including apprentices and trainees) who are required to use a voltage detecting device (such as a multimeter) to verify electrical isolations for their personal safety or the safety of other workers be given a copy of this Handbook. The contents of this Handbook should be included in electrical safety training at TAFE and in the workplace. 8. It is recommended that all sales outlets offering this equipment for sale place a printed copy of this Handbook in public view next to the equipment so that customers may read it for themselves.

CAUTION Personnel who sell test and measuring equipment may not be familiar with AS 61010.1 nor understand what the Measurement Categories and Voltage Ratings mean. It is expected that distributors of test and measuring equipment will provide copies of this Handbook for the information of their sales staff. This will ensure the customer is provided with technically accurate information so they can make an informed selection of test and measuring equipment to suit their application.

HB 1872006

CONTENTS
Page 1 BASIC INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Information needed prior to purchase ...................................................................... 5 1.2 Product safety and independent testing .................................................................. 5 1.3 Selecting a safe multimeter ..................................................................................... 5 FURTHER INFORMATION ............................................................................................... 6 Safety requirements ................................................................................................ 6 Hazards when using multimeters............................................................................. 7 Selecting the measurement category .................................................................... 10 Selecting the voltage rating................................................................................... 12 Markings on the meter .......................................................................................... 13 Need for independent testing ................................................................................ 13 What does the CE symbol indicate? ...................................................................... 14 Product safety for test leads and accessories ....................................................... 14 Safe testing practice ............................................................................................. 14 Good design features............................................................................................ 15 Operating instructions ........................................................................................... 16 Other types of equipment ...................................................................................... 18 Fault currents........................................................................................................ 19 Installation overvoltage and measurement categories ........................................... 20 Voltage ratings...................................................................................................... 20 Transient voltage spikes ....................................................................................... 21 Transient voltage protection .................................................................................. 22 Input protection ..................................................................................................... 22 Minimum fault rating of multimeter fuse................................................................. 23 Contact information ................................................................................................ 24

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2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 Annex A

Annex B Effects of electricity on the human body ................................................................. 25 Annex C Working safely ....................................................................................................... 26

HB 1872006

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA Australian handbook Guide to selecting a safe multimeter

BASIC INFORMATION

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Multimeters are widely used to measure electrical parameters such as voltages, currents, resistance in a.c and d.c circuits. The electrical circuits to which we connect our multimeters when testing or measuring do not have a perfectly smooth voltage waveform. When electrical equipment which is connected to the power distribution system is switched on or off or lightning strikes the overhead power lines, very high voltage spikes of several thousand volts can be transmitted along the power lines. Whilst the voltage spikes may only last for several microseconds, they cause damage by breakdown of the insulation in the equipment and allow very high fault currents to flow. These high voltage spikes can create a serious hazard for the person using the multimeter. If the person is taking measurements on electrical systems, voltage spikes are almost invisible and largely unavoidable. They occur randomly and can attain peak values in the many thousands of volts. One has to depend on the protective circuits built into the meter for protection, i.e. the high rupturing capacity fuses and voltage dependent resistors. The voltage rating alone is not an indication as to how well a meter is designed to protect against these transient voltage spikes. For example, if you were to measure the voltage at a 240 V power outlet, the display may show

But the meter may actually be seeing this:

8000 V s p ikes

24 0 V AC R M S s i n ewave

Figure 1: A typical 240 V a.c. 50 Hz waveform showing randomly generated high voltage spikes

Standards Australia

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HB 1872006

Early clues about the safety hazard posed by transient voltage spikes came from applications involving measurements on the power supply of electric commuter trams. The nominal voltage was only 600 V, but multimeters rated at 1000 V lasted only a few minutes when taking measurements while the tram was operating. Investigations revealed that the tram stopping and starting generated spikes of 10 000 V magnitude. These destroyed early multimeter input circuits. The lessons learned through this investigation led to significant improvements in multimeter input protection circuits. 1.1 1.1.1 Information needed prior to purchase What is the highest category of electrical circuits you intend to measure?

Categories indicate the amount of energy available in the circuit. The higher the circuit energy, the higher the category required. The higher the category, the safer the meter. CAT Ivery low energy circuits
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e.g. Vehicles, battery-powered circuits (not connected to 240 V) e.g. Domestic use (up to 5 kA fault currents) e.g. Industrial + commercial use (up to 25 kA fault currents) e.g. Industrial + commercial use (above 25 kA fault currents)

CAT IIlow energy circuits CAT IIImedium energy circuits CAT IVhigh energy circuits 1.1.2

What is the highest voltage of electrical circuits you intend to measure?

Standard voltages specified in AS 61010.1 are 50, 100, 150, 300, 600 and 1000. For multimeters offered for sale in Australia where the standard distribution voltages are 240 V a.c. (phase to neutral) and 415 V a.c. (phase to phase), generally 300 V, 600 V or 1000 V meters will suffice. Industry can have equipment that could generate up to 1000 V a.c. or d.c.
Note: See AS 60038 for details on standard voltages. Also see Clause 2.4 of this Handbook.

1.1.3

Do you need to measure other electrical parameters?

Most multimeters provide measurement of a.c. volts, d.c. volts, a.c. amps, d.c. amps and resistance. Some multimeters provide additional measurement functions such as capacitance, frequency, diode test, temperature, etc. 1.2 Product safety and independent testing

Whilst the designers have sought to design a safe product, until the product is manufactured, assembled and tested it is not possible to verify that the outcome of the combined process (design, manufacturing and assembly) has produced a safe product. There is always a risk that the design may be flawed, or that the materials used may not be suitable or that there are other factors, which may jeopardize the safety of the product. The only means of verifying compliance with the safety standard AS 61010.1 is to look for the accredited testing laboratory certification mark (UL, CSA, VDE, TUV, TCA) moulded into or printed on the back of the product and on any accessories such as test leads. 1.3 Selecting a safe multimeter Ask the sales staff to show you multimeters with the category and voltage information you require. Inspect each multimeter closely (take it out of the box if necessary). Look for the category and voltage marking on the front adjacent to the terminals and for the accredited testing laboratory certification mark at the rear of the instrument.
NOTE - CE is not a test laboratory certification mark and is not relevant in Australia. www.standards.org.au Standards Australia

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HB 187-2006, Guide to selecting a safe multimeter

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