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EM420A/420B

DIGITAL MULTIMETER
OWNERS MANUAL

Read this owners manual thoroughly before use

WARRANTY
This instrument is warranted to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year. Any instrument found defective
within one year from the delivery date and returned to the factory with
transportation charges prepaid, will be repaired, adjusted, or replaced
at no charge to the original purchaser. This warranty does not cover
expandable items such as batteries or fuses. If the defect has been
caused by a misuse or abnormal operating conditions, the repair will
be billed at a nominal cost.

SAFETY INFORMATION
EM420A and EM420B digital multimeters have been designed according to IEC-61010 concerning electronic measuring instruments with
a measurement category (CAT II 600V) and pollution degree 2.

Warning
To avoid possible electric shock or personal injury, follow these
guidelines:
a. Do not use the meter if it is damaged. Before you use the meter,
inspect the case. Pay particular attention to the insulation
surrounding the connectors.

P1

b. Inspect the test leads for damaged insulation or exposed metal.

Check the test leads for continuity. Replace damaged test leads
before you use the meter.

P2

c. Do not use the meter if it operates abnormally. Protection may be

impaired. When in doubt, have the meter serviced.
d. Do not operate the meter around explosive gas, vapor, or dust.
e. Do not apply more than the rated voltage, as marked on the
meter, between terminals or between any terminal and earth
ground.
f. Before use, verify the meter's operation by measuring a known
voltage.
g. When measuring current, turn off circuit power before connecting
the meter in the circuit. Remember to place the meter in series with
the circuit.
h. When servicing the meter, use only specified replacement parts.
i. Use caution when working above 30V ac rms, 42V peak, or
60V dc. Such voltages pose a shock hazard.
j. When using the probes, keep your fingers behind the finger
guards on the probes.
k. When making connections, connect the common test lead before
you connect the live test lead. When you disconnect test leads,
disconnect the live test lead first.
l. Remove the test leads from the meter before you open the battery
cover or the case.
m. Do not operate the meter with the battery cover or portions of the
case removed or loosened.

n. To avoid false readings, which could lead to possible electric shock

or personal injury, replace the batteries as soon as the low battery
indicator ( "
" ) appears.

o. To avoid electric shock, don't touch any live conductor with hand
or skin.
p. Remaining endangerment:
When an input terminal is connected to dangerous live potential
it is to be noted that this potential at all other terminals can occur!
q. CATII - Measurement Category II is for measurements performed
on circuits directly connected to low voltage installation.(Examples
are measurements on household appliances, portable tools and
similar equipments .) Do not use the meter for measurements
within Measurement Categories III and IV.

Caution
To avoid possible damage to the meter or to the equipment under
test, follow these guidelines:
a. Disconnect circuit power and discharge all capacitors before
testing resistance, diode, continuity, temperature or capacitor.
b. Use the proper terminals, function, and range for your
measurements.
c. Before measuring current, check the meter's fuse and turn off the
power to the circuit before connecting the meter to the circuit.
d. Before rotating the range switch to change functions, remove the
test leads or the clamp from the circuit under test.
e. Before inserting transistor to the adapter, always be sure all the
test leads have been removed from the meter.

f. Remove test leads from the meter before opening the battery cover

or the case.

Symbols
AC ( alternating current )
DC ( direct current )
DC or AC ( alternating current or direct current )
Important safety information. Refer to the manual.
Dangerous voltage may be present. Be cautious.
Earth ground
Fuse
Conforms to European Union directives
Double insulated
Low battery
Diode
The maximum value is being held.
The display data is being held.
Fahrenheit
Centigrade
Continuity test
Measurement with clamp (optional ), widening the
field of applications of the meter
AUTO

Autorange

Maitenance
To continue protection against fire, replace fuse only with the
specified voltage and current ratings : F 250 mA L 250V, fast action
To clean the meter, use a damp cloth and mild detergent only, do not
use abrasives or solvents on it.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This digital multimeter is compact 3 1/2 digits digital multimeter for
measuring DC and AC voltage, DC and AC current, resistance,
temperature, diode, transistor, continuity, capacitance (only EM420B)
and battery (only EM420A). It has the functions of polarity
indication, data hold, maximum value hold, overrange indication and
automatic power-off. It can be operated easily and is an ideal
instrument tool.

INSTRUCTION
1

2
3

11
10
9

4
5

Figure1

8
7
6

. Display
3 1/2 digit LCD, with a max. reading of 1999

. "RANGE" Button
The meter defaults to the autorange mode when you measure
the voltage, current or resistance. When the meter is in the
autorange mode, "AUTO" is displayed.
To enter and exit the manual range mode:
a.

Press "RANGE" button

The meter enters the manual range mode and the
symbol "AUTO" turns off.

Each press of the "RANGE" button increments the range.

When the highest range is reached, the meter wraps to
the lowest range.
b. To exit the manual range mode, press and hold down the
"RANGE" button for 2 seconds, the meter returns to the
autorange mode and the symbol "AUTO" is displayed
again.
3. "FUNC." Button
When you measure the current, pressing this button will
switch the meter between DC function and AC function.
When you measure the temperature, pressing this button will
switch the meter between * mode and * mode.
When you measure the diode or the continuity, pressing this
button will switch the meter between the diode and the continuity
functions.
4. Power Switch
It can be used to turn on/off the meter.
5. Function/Range Switch
This switch can be used to select desired function and range.
6. "10A" Jack
Plug-in connector for the red test lead for current ( 200mA~10A )
measurements.
7. "COM" Jack
Plug-in connector for black (negative) test lead.
8. "INPUT" Jack
Plug-in connector for the red test lead for all measurements
except current ( 200mA ) measurements.
9. "

" Button

To turn on or off the backlight, press and hold this button for
about 2 seconds.

The backlight will turns off automatically about 15 seconds later

after you turn on it.
10."
" Button
Despus de presionar el botn, la lectura actual se lleva a cabo en la
pantalla, mientras tanto
" is displayed on the LCD as an

indicator. To exit the Hold Mode, press the button again and the
indicator "
" will disappear.
" Button
11."
To hold the maximum value, press this button, and "
" will
appear as an indicator, the meter will hold the maximum value
of all readings taken since the button was pressed. To exit the
maximum value hold mode, just press this button gain, and "
"
will disappear.
In some ranges, the maximum value hold mode is not available.

GENGRAL SPECIFICATION
Display: LCD, 1999 counts, updates 2-3 times/sec
Overrange Indication: "OL" shown on the display
Battery: 1.5V X 3, AAA
Polarity Indication: "-" displayed automatically
Low Battery Indication: "
" shown on the display
Operating Temperature: 0C to 40C, <75%RH
Storage Temperature: -10C to 50C, <85%RH
Dimensions: 158 X 75 X 35 mm
Weight: about 200g (including battery)

SPECIFICATIONS
Accuracy is specified for a period of one year after calibration and
at 18C to 28C, with relative humidity < 75%. Accuracy
specifications take the form of:
([% of Reading]+[number of Least Significant Digits])

DC Voltage
Range
200mV
2V
20V
200V
600V

Resolutio
n 0.1mV
0.001V
0.01V
0.1V
1V

Accuracy
(0.8%+5)
(1%+5)

Input Impedance: 10M

Overload Protection: 600V DC/AC rms
( 200mV range : 250V DC/AC rms )
Max. Input Voltage: 600V DC

AC Voltage
Range
2V
20V
200V
600V

Resolutio
n 0.001V
0.01V
0.1V
1V

Accuracy
(1.0%+5)
(1.2%+5)

Input Impedance: 10M

Frequency Range: 40Hz ~ 400Hz
Overload Protection: 600V DC/AC rms
Response: Average, calibrated in rms of sine wave
Max. Input Voltage: 600V AC rms

DC Current
Range
200A
2000A
20mA
200mA
2A
10A

Resolution
0.1A
1A
0.01mA
0.1mA
0.001A
0.01A

Accuracy
(1.2%+5)

(2.0%+10)

Overload Protection:
A and mA ranges: F 250mA L 250V fuse
2A and 10A ranges: unfused
Max. Input Current:
"INPUT" jack : 200mA
"10A" jack: 10A
( For measurements > 5A : duration <15 seconds,
interval >15 minutes )
Voltage Drop: 200A, 20mA and 2A ranges : 20mV
2000A, 200mA and 10A ranges: 200mV

AC Current
Range
200A
2000A
20mA
200mA
2A
10A

Resolutio
n 0.1A
1A
0.01mA
0.1mA
0.001A
0.01A

Accuracy
(1.5%+5)

(3.0%+10)

Overload Protection:
A and mA ranges: F 250mA L 250V fuse
2A and 10A ranges: unfused
Max. Input Current:
"INPUT" jack : 200mA
"10A" jack: 10A
( For measurements > 5A : duration <15 seconds,
interval >15 minutes )
Voltage Drop: 200A, 20mA and 2A ranges : 20mV
2000A, 200mA and 10A ranges: 200mV
Frequency Range: 40Hz ~ 400Hz
Response: Average, calibrated in rms of sine wave

DC Current ( with clamp, optional )

meter

Rang
e
200A

Resoluti
on
0.1mV/0.
1A

Accuracy
(1.2%+5)

P11

meter

P12

1000
A

1mV/1

(1.2%+5)

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

Max. Input Voltage: 200mV

AC Current ( with clamp, optional )

meter

Rang
e

meter

200A

Resoluti
on
0.1mV/0.
1A
1mV/1
A

Accuracy
(1.5%+5)

(1.5%+5)
1000
A
Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms
Max. Input Voltage: 200mV
Frequency Range: 40Hz ~ 400Hz
Response: Average, calibrated in rms of sine wave

Resistance
Range
200
2k
20k
200k
2M
20M

Resolution
0.1
0.001k
0.01k
0.1k
0.001M
0.01M

Open Circuit Voltage: about 0.25V

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

Accuracy
(1.2%+5)
(1%+5)
(1.2%+5)
(1.5%+5)

Temperature (C, F)
Range
-20C ~
1000C
-0F~
1800F

Resoluti
on

Accuracy
-20C~ 0C: (5%+4)
0C~40 0C: (1%+3)

1C

400C~100 0C: (2%

+3)-0F~ 50F: (5%+4)

1F

50F~750 F: (1%
+3)
750 F~1800 F: (2%
+3)

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

Battery ( only EM420A )

Range
1. 5V
3V
9V

Resolution
0. 01V
0. 01V
0. 01V

Function
The approx.
voltage of the
battery is shown
on the LCD.

Overload Protection:
1.5V and 3V ranges: F 250mA L 250V
fuse 9V range: 250V DC/AC rms
Test Current : 1.5V range: about 50mA
3V range: about 30mA
9V range: about 12mA

Capacitance ( only EM420B )

Range
20nF
200nF
2F
20F
200F
1000F

Resolution
0.01nF
0.1nF
0.001F
0.01F
0.1F
1F

Accuracy
(8%+10)

(5%+5)
(8%+10)

Overload Protection:
200F and 1000F ranges: no overload protection
the other ranges: F 250mA L 250V fuse
Open Circuit Voltage: about 0.5V
Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

Transistor hFE Test

Range
PNP &
NPN

hFE
0~100
0

Test
Current
I
2A
b

Test
Voltage
V
1
c

Diode and Continuity

Ran
ge

Introduction

Remark

The approximate
forward voltage drop
will be displayed.

Open Circuit
Voltage: about 1.
5V

The built-in buzzer

will sound if the
resistance is less
than about 30 .

Open Circuit
Voltage: about 0.
5V

Overload Protection: 250V DC/AC rms

For Continuity Test:
When the resistance is between 30 and 100 , the
buzzer may sound or may not sound. When the
resistance is more than 100 , the buzzer won't sound.

OPERATION INTRODUCTION
Measuring Voltage
1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack, and the red
test lead to the "INPUT" jack.
2. Set the range switch to or
position.
Select auto range or manual range with the "RANGE" button.
3. In manual range, if the voltage magnitude to be measured is not
known beforehand, select the highest range.
4. Connect the test leads across the source or load to be measured.
5. Read the reading on the display. For DC voltage measurement,
the polarity of the red test lead connection will be indicated as
well.
Note:
1. In small range, the meter may display an unstable reading when
the test leads have not been connected to the load to be
measured. It is normal and will not affect the measurements.
2. In manual range mode, when the meter shows the overrange
symbol "OL", a higher range has to be selected.
3. To avoid damage to the meter, don't measure a voltage which
exceeds 600Vdc ( for DC voltage measurement )or 600Vac ( for
AC voltage measurement ).

Measuring Current
1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack. If the current to
be measured is less than 200mA, connect the red test lead to
the "INPUT" jack. If the current is between 200mA and 10A ,
connect the red test lead to the "10A" jack instead.
2. Set the range switch to desired A , mA or A range. If
the the current magnitude to be measured is not known
beforehand, set the range switch to the highest range position
and then reduce it range by range until satisfactory resolution is
obtained.
3. Select DC current measurement or AC current measurement
with the "FUNC." button.
4. Select auto range or manual range with the "RANGE" button.
In manual range, if the the current magnitude to be measured is
not known beforehand, select the highest range.
5. Connect test leads in series with the circuit to be measured.
6. Read the reading on the display. For DC current measurement,
the polarity of the red test lead connection will be indicated as
well.
Note:
1. When the display shows the overrange symbol "OL", a higher
range has to be selected.

Measuring Current ( with clamp, optional )

1. If you want to measure DC current, you must use the DC
clamp. If you want to measure AC current, you must use the
AC clamp.
2. Connect the negative (-) output lead of the selected clamp to
the "COM" jack, connect the positive ( + )output lead of the
clamp to the "INPUT" jack,
3.Set the range switch to
position.
4. Select DC current measurement or AC current measurement
with the "FUNC." button.
5. Select auto range or manual range with the "RANGE" button.
In manual range, if the the current magnitude to be measured
is not known beforehand, select the highest range.
6. Clamp the circuit to be measured with the clamp.
Note: Each time only one cable should be clamped and the cable
should be in the center of the clamp jaws.
7. Read the reading on the display. For DC current measurement,
the polarity of the positive ( + ) output lead of the clamp will be
indicated as well.
Note:
1. In manual range mode, when the display shows the
overrange symbol "OL", a higher range has to be selected.
2. Don't touch the circuit under test with hand or skin.
3. Matching problem about the meter and the sensitivity of the
clamp :
a. The sensitivity of the matching clamp is 0.1A/0.1mV. If you

use a matching clamp, the present indicated value is same

to the measured value.

b. If you use a clamp whose sensitivity does not equal

0.1A/0.1mV, you should multiply the present reading by a
factor which is determined by the used clamp, the result is
the measured value.
To determine the factor, plese refer to the instruction of the
clamp which you use.

Measuring Resistance
1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack and the red test
lead to the "INPUT" jack (Note: The polarity of the red test
lead is positive "+" ).
2. Set the range switch to range.
3. Select auto range or manual range with the "RANGE" button.
In manual range mode, when the display shows the overrange
symbol "OL", a higher range has to be selected.
4. Connect the test leads across the load to be measured.
5. Read the reading on the display.
Note:
1. For resistance measurements > 1M , the meter may take a few
seconds to stabilize reading. This is normal for high-resistance
measurement.
2. When the input is not connected, i.e. at open circuit, the
symbol "OL" will be displayed as an overrange indicator.
3. Before measuring in-circuit resistance, be sure that the
circuit under test has all power removed and all capacitors
are fully discharged.

Measuring Capacitance ( only EM420B )

1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack and the red
test lead to the "INPUT" jack.
2. Set the range switch to desired "1000F","20F" or "nF" position.
3. Select auto range or manual range with the "RANGE" button.
4. Connect test leads across the capacitor to be measured. Make
sure that the polarity of connection is observed ( The red test
lead should be connected to the anode of the capacitor, the
black one should be connected to the cathode of the
capacitor ).
5. Read the reading on the display.
Note:
In small range, before the test leads are connected to the capacitor,
the display may show a reading, it is normal because of the stray
capacitance of the test leads and input circuit of the meter. It will not
affect the measurement accuracy.

Continuity Test
1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack and the red test
lead to the "INPUT" jack (Note: The polarity of the red test lead
is positive "+" ).
2. Set the range switch to
range.
3. Press the "FUNC." button to select continuity measurement
mode, and the symbol "
" will appear as an indicator.
4. Connect the test leads to the circuit to be measured.

5. If the circuit resistance is lower than about 30 , the built-in

buzzer will sound.

Diode
1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack and the red test
lead to the "INPUT" jack (Note: The polarity of the red test
lead is positive "+" ).
2. Set the range switch to range.
3. Press the "FUNC." button to select diode measurement mode,
and the symbol "
" will appear as an indicator.
4. Connect the red test lead to the anode of the diode to be
tested and the black test lead to the cathode.
5. The meter will show the approximate forward voltage of the
diode. If the connections are reversed, "OL" will be shown on the
display.

Transistor Test
1. Set the range switch to hFE position.
2. Refer to the Figure 2 , connect the adapter to the "COM" jack
and the "INPUT" jack. Don't reverse the connection.
3. Identify whether the transistor is NPN or PNP type and locate
emitter, base and collector lead. Insert the leads of the transistor
to be tested into the proper holes of the transistor test socket of
the adapter .
4. LCD display will show the approximate hFE value.

Figure 2

EM420A
CAT II 600V
UNFUSED 10A MAXFUSED
FOR 15sec MAXMAX 600V
EVERY 15mi nMAX 200mA

EXCEPT A

10ACOMINPUT

-K

NPNPNP

Transistor Test Socket

Measuring Temperature
1. Set the range switch to Temp range.
2. Press the "FUNC." button to select C or F mode, and the
symbol " C " or " F " will appear as an indicator.
3. Insert the black ( or "-" ) plug of the K type thermocouple to
the "COM" jack, and the red ( or "+ " ) plug to the "INPUT"
jack.
4. Carefully touch the end of the thermocouple to the object to be
measured.
5. Wait a while, read the reading on the display.

Battery Test ( only EM420A )

1. Connect the black test lead to the "COM" jack and the red test
lead to the "INPUT" jack (Note: The polarity of the red test
lead is positive "+" ).
2. According to the different type of the battery (1.5V, 3V, 9V) to
be tested, set the range switch to the desired BATT range.
3. Connect the test leads to the battery to be tested.

4. Read the reading on the display. The polarity of the red test lead
connection will be indicated .

Auto Power Off

If you don't operate the meter for about 15 minutes, it will turn off
automatically. To turn on it again, just rotate the range switch or
press a button.
If you press the "
" button to arouse the meter after it turns
off automatically, the automatic power-off function will be disabled.

BATTERY REPLACEMENT
When the symbol "
" appears on the display, it shows that the
battery should be replaced. To replace the battery, use an
appropriate screwdriver to gently rotate the rotary lock on the
battery cover by 90o in the indicated direction ( refer to Figure 3 ).
Remove battery cover, replace the exhausted batteries with new
batteries of the same type ( "AAA" type ). Reinstall the battery
cover, and gently rotate the rotary lock by 90o clockwise to lock
the battery cover.
Note:
Excess force will cause damage to the rotary lock.
Don't use a screwdriver which is not big enough.
To open the battery cover
Rotary Lock

Figure 3

FUSE REPLACEMENT
Fuse rarely needs replacement and is blown almost always as a result
of operator's error. This meter uses a fuse: F 250mA L 250V*fast action
To replace the fuses, open the battery cover, replace the damaged fuse
with a new fuse of the specified ratings.
Reinstall the battery cover and lock this cover.

ACCESSORIES
Owners manual :
Test leads:
K type thermocouple :
Adapter :
DC Clamp*optional*
AC Clamp *optional*

1 piece
1 pair
1 piece
1 piece

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