User’s Guide

400A AC/DC Clamp Meter

Model MA220
Introduction
Thank you for selecting the Extech MA220 AC/DC Clamp Meter. This meter measures
AC/DC Current, AC/DC Voltage, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty Cycle,
Temperature, Diode Test, and Continuity. This professional meter, with proper care, will
provide years of safe reliable service.

Safety

International Safety Symbols

This symbol, adjacent to another symbol or terminal, indicates the user must
refer to the manual for further information.

This symbol, adjacent to a terminal, indicates that, under normal use,

hazardous voltages may be present

Double insulation

SAFETY NOTES
 Do not exceed the maximum allowable input range of any function
 Do not apply voltage to meter when resistance function is selected.
 Set the function switch OFF when the meter is not in use.
 Remove the battery if meter is to be stored for longer than 60 days.

WARNINGS
 Set function switch to the appropriate position before measuring.
 When measuring volts do not switch to current/resistance modes.
 Do not measure current on a circuit whose voltage exceeds 240V.
 When changing ranges using the selector switch always disconnect the test leads
from the circuit under test.
 Do not exceed the maximum rated input limits.

OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY III

This meter meets the IEC 610-1-95 standard for OVERVOLTAGE CATEGORY III. Cat III
meters are protected against overvoltage transients in fixed installation at the distribution
level. Examples include switches in the fixed installation and some equipment for industrial
use with permanent connection to the fixed installation.

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Specifications
Function Range Accuracy (of
reading)
DC Current 40.00 ADC 0-20.00 ADC ± (2.5% + 6 digits)
20.00-40.00 ADC ± (3% + 6 digits)
400.0 ADC 0-300.0 ADC ± (2.5% + 6 digits)
300.0-400.0 ADC ± (3.5% + 6 digits)
AC Current 40.00 AAC 0-20.00 AAC ± (3% + 10 digits)
20.00-40.00 AAC ± (5% + 10 digits)
400.0 AAC 0-300.0 AAC ± (3% + 10 digits)
300.0-400.0 AAC ± (5% + 10 digits)
DC Voltage 400.0mV ± (0.8% + 3 digits)
4.000V
40.00V ± (1.5% + 3 digits)
400.0V
600V ± (2.0% + 3 digits)
AC Voltage 400.0mV ± (1% + 10 digits)
4.000V
40.00V ± (2% + 5 digits)
400.0V
600V ± (2% + 5 digits)
Resistance 400.0 ± (1.0% + 4 digits)
4.000k
40.00k ± (1.5% + 2 digits)
400.0k
4.000 M ± (2.5% + 3 digits)
40.00M ± (3.5% + 5 digits)
Capacitance 40.00nF ± (5% + 30 digits)
400.0nF ± (3% + 5 digits)
4.000µF ± (3.5% + 5 digits)
40.00µF
100.0µF ± (5% + 5 digits)
Frequency 5.000Hz ± (1.5% + 5 digits)
50.00Hz ± (1.2% + 2 digits)
500.0Hz Sensitivity: 5~5KHz:
5.000KHz 10Vrms min.
50.00KHz 5KHz~150KHz:
150.0KHz 40Vrms min.
Duty Cycle 0.5% to 99.0% ± (1.2% + 2 digits)
Pulse Width: 100µs-100ms, Frequency: 5Hz to 150KHz
Temperature -50.0 to 400.0°C -50.0 to -20.0°C ± 7°C
-20.0 to 400.0°C
± (3% + 5 °C)
400 to 1000°C 400 to 1000°C
-58.0 to 400.0°F -58.0 to 0°F ± 14°F
0 to 400.0°F ± (2.5% + 6 digits)
400 to 1832°F 400 to 1832°F ± (3% + 7°F)

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Jaw size 23mm (0.9") approx.
Display 4000 count LCD
Continuity Audible tone < 150 approx.
Diode Test Open circuit voltage < 1.5VDC;
Test current 0.3mA (typical)
AC V bandwidth 50Hz to 400Hz
AC A bandwidth 50/60Hz
Low battery indication “ ” is displayed
Overrange indication “OL” is displayed
Auto Power OFF After 30 minutes
Measurement rate 2 per second, nominal
Input Impedance 7.8MΩ (V DC and V AC)
Operating Temperature 5ºC to 40ºC (41ºF to 104ºF)
Storage Temperature -20oC to 60oC (-4oF to 140oF)
Operating Humidity Max 80% up to 31ºC (87ºF) decreasing linearly to 50% at 45ºC
(113ºF)
Storage Humidity <80%
Operating Altitude 2000meters (6560ft.) operating
Batteries (2) 1.5V AAA batteries
Weight 200g (0.44lb)
Size 200x50x35mm (7.87” x 1.97” x 1.38”)
Safety For indoor use and in accordance with the requirements for
double insulation to IEC1010-1 (1995): EN61010-1 (1995)
Overvoltage Category III, Pollution Degree 2.

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Meter Description

1. Conductor jaws
2. Jaw opening trigger
3. Function select switch
4. LCD Display
5. ZERO button
6. Data Hold and Backlight Button
7. Mode select button
8. Range select button
9. Hz/%/Duty Cycle button
10. COM input jack
11. V/Temp jack
12. Battery cover (rear)

AC AC (alternating current)
DC DC (direct currrent)
Minus sign
AUTO AutoRange mode
ZERO ZERO mode
•))) Audible Continuity
HOLD Data Hold mode
Low Battery icon

Diode test mode

m milli
V Volts
A Amps
K kilo
M Mega
Ω Ohms
°F Degrees Fahrenheit
°C Degrees Centigrade

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 Operation
Notice: Read and understand all WARNING and CAUTION statements listed in the
safety section of this operation manual prior to using this meter. Set the function select
switch to the OFF position when the meter is not in use.

DC/AC Current Measurements

Warning: Disconnect the test leads from the meter before making
current clamp measurements.

1. Set the Function switch to the 400ADC, 40ADC, 400AAC or

40AAC range. If the range of the measured is not known, select
the higher range first then move to the lower range if necessary.
2. For DC current measurement, press the ZERO key to null the
meter display.
3. Press the trigger to open jaw. Fully enclose one conductor to be
measured.
4. The clamp meter LCD will display the reading.

DC/AC Voltage Measurements

1. Set the rotary function switch to the Volts/Hz/% position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack and the red test lead
banana plug into the positive (V/Temp) jack
3. Select AC or DC with the MODE button
4. Connect the test leads to the circuit under test
5. Read the voltage on the display. The display will indicate the proper decimal point and
value.

Resistance Measurements
1. Set the function switch to the  •))) CAP position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive (V Temp jack.
3. Touch the test probe tips across the circuit or part under test. It is best to disconnect one
side of the part under test so the rest of the circuit will not interfere with the resistance
reading.
4. Read the resistance on the display. The display will indicate the proper decimal point and
value.

Continuity Check
1. Set the function switch to the  •))) CAP position.
2. Push the mode button to indicate •))) on the display.
3. Insert the black lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack
Insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive (V) jack.
4. Touch the test probe tips to the circuit or wire you wish to check.
5. If the resistance is less than approximately 150, the audible signal will sound. If the
circuit is open, the display will indicate “OL.”.

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Diode Test
1. Turn the rotary switch to the  •))) CAP position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack and the red test lead
banana plug into the positive (V jack.
3. Push the mode button to indicate on the display.
4. Touch the test probes to the diode under test. Typically for a normal diode, forward
voltage will indicate 0.4V to 0.7V. Reverse voltage will indicate “OL”. Shorted devices will
indicate near 0V and an open device will indicate “OL” in both polarities.

Capacitance Measurements
Warning: To avoid electrical shock, disconnect power to the unit under test and
discharge all capacitors before taking any capacitance measurements. Remove the
batteries and unplug the line cords.
1. Set the function switch to the  •))) CAP position.
2. Push the mode button to indicate nF on the display.
3. Insert the black lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack and
insert the red test lead banana plug into the positive (VTemp) jack.
4. Press the ZERO key to null the meter display.
5. Touch the test probe tips to the capacitor you wish to check.
6. Read the capacitance value on the display.

Frequency or % Duty Cycle Measurements

1. Turn the rotary switch to the Volts Hz % position.
2. Insert the black test lead banana plug into the negative (COM) jack and the red test lead
banana plug into the positive (V jack.
3. Select Hz or % with the HZ/% button.
4. Touch the test probe tips to the circuit under test.
5. Read the frequency on the display.

Temperature Measurements
1. Turn the rotary switch to the Temp position.
2. Insert the Temperature Probe into the negative (COM) and the (VTemp jacks, making
sure to observe correct polarity.
3. Select °C or °F with the MODE button.
4. Touch the temperature probe head to the part whose temperature you wish to measure.
Keep the probe touching the part under test until the reading stabilizes.
5. Read the temperature on the display.
Warning: To avoid electrical shock, be sure the thermocouple has been removed before
changing to another measurement function.

Auto/Manual Ranging
The meter turns on in Autoranging mode. Press the RANGE button to enter manual
ranging. Each press of the range button will step to the next range as indicated by the units
and decimal point location. Press and hold the RANGE button for two seconds to return to
Autoranging mode.
Note: Manual ranging does not function in AC Current or Diode and Continuity check
functions. In Temperature function, it will change the resolution from 0.1° to 1°.

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Data Hold
To freeze the LCD meter reading, press the HOLD button. While data hold is active, the
HOLD display icon appears on the LCD. Press the HOLD button again to return to normal
operation.

Backlight
Press and hold the HOLD button for >2 seconds to turn the backlight on/off.
Note: The HOLD feature will activate when the backlight is turned on. Press the HOLD
button again to exit the Hold feature.

Zero Button
Zeros Capacitance and DC Current measurements. Also allows the user to offset the
meter by using the displayed value as the zero reference value. Press the ZERO key
momentarily to activate and to exit Zero mode.

Maintenance
WARNING: To avoid electrical shock, disconnect the meter from any circuit, remove the
test leads from the input terminals and turn OFF the meter before opening the case. Do
not operate with open case.
Cleaning and Storage
Periodically wipe the case with a damp cloth and mild detergent; do not use abrasives or
solvents. If the meter is not to be used for periods of longer than 60 days, remove the
batteries and store them separately
Battery Replacement
1. Remove the two rear Phillips head screws
2. Open the battery compartment
3. Replace the two 1.5V AAA batteries.
4. Re-assemble the meter

You, as the end user, are legally bound (Battery ordinance) to return all used
batteries and accumulators; disposal in the household garbage is prohibited!
You can hand over your used batteries / accumulators at collection points in
your community or wherever batteries / accumulators are sold!

Disposal: Follow the valid legal stipulations in respect of the disposal of the
device at the end of its lifecycle

Copyright © 2004 Extech Instruments Corporation.

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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