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Quick Start

1. For electrical testing, connect test leads to 

"COM" and "+" jacks. For temperature testing, 
remove test leads and slide TEMP switch to 
the right. 

2.  Rotate the dial to your desired function. Press 

SEL to cycle through the parameters within 
the switch position. 

3.  Connect to test points and read measurement 

on display.  

Certifi cations

 

 

UL 61010-1, Second Edition

  

 

IEC/EN61010-1

  

IEC/EN61010-2-032

  

EMC 

EN61326-1

  

 

  

C-Tick 

(N22675)

  

 

WEEE

CATIII 600V, class II and pollution degree 2 

indoor use comply with CE, RoHS compliant.

Description

Your SC55 or SC56 is a swivel clamp multimeter 

specifi cally designed for the HVAC/R technician.  
The swivel on the SC55/SC56 allows you to 
get a good viewing angle on the display while 
taking amperage readings through the clamp, 
regardless of wire orientation.  The SC55 and 
SC56 also contain the functions that are most 
relevant for an HVAC/R technician.

The unique temperature circuit allows 

the SC55/SC56 to get accurate temperature 
readings faster when moving from a rooftop to 
a freezer.  The easily accessible fi eld calibration 
allows you to calibrate the temperature on your 
SC55/SC56 without hassle.

Inrush current (SC56) allows you to get a 

reliable measurement of a motor's startup amp 
draw. You can use the inrush measurement to 
help diagnose a motor before it fails.

The jaw light (SC56) and backlight           (SC56) 

make it easier to use in any lighting condition. 
True RMS (SC56) helps you take more accurate  
voltage readings on variable frequency drives. 

Controls

O

F

F

MFD

NCV

V

AC

V

DC

A

AC

Hz

Hz

%

°C

°F

Rotate dial to the function you want to use.

  

O

F

F

SEL

 

Press to cycle through parameters 

   

within a dial position. 

  

O

F

F

 

Press to illuminate backlight for 60 sec

O

F

F

INRUSH

  Press to activate Inrush current 

   

capture mode (SC56).

  

O

F

F

  

Press to manually select resolution.

O

F

F

HOLD

  Press to freeze both displays (SC55).

 

Fieldpiece

Swivel 
Clamp 
Meter

OPERATOR'S 
MANUAL

Models SC55 SC56

 

Display

O

F

F

     

Battery Life (replace 9V if blinking)

O

F

F

   

Auto Power Off  Enabled

O

F

F

      

High Voltage Warning (+30V)

O

F

F

   

Manual Range (RNG) Mode

O

F

F

    

Data Hold Mode (Model SC55)

O

F

F

    Inrush Amps Mode (Model SC56)

O

F

F

   

Continuity Test

O

F

F

   

Diode Test

O

F

F

   

Frequency Test (hertz)

O

F

F

   

Resistance Test (ohms)

O

F

F

   

Capacitance Test (farads)

O

F

F

    

Duty Cycle Test (percentage)

O

F

F

    

Micro Unit (10

−6

, one millionth)

O

F

F

   

Milli Unit (10

−3

, one thousandth)

O

F

F

    

Kilo Unit (10

3

, one thousand)

O

F

F

    

Mega Unit (10

6

, one million)

O

F

F

Safety Information

• Never ground yourself when taking electrical 

measurements.  Do not touch exposed metal 
pipes, outlets, fi xtures, etc., which might be 
at ground potential, while taking measure-
ments.  Keep your body isolated from ground 
by using dry clothing, rubber shoes, rubber 
mats, or any approved insulating material.

• Disconnect the test leads before opening the 

case. Inspect the test leads for damage to the 
insulation or exposed wire.  Replace if suspect.  
Keep your fi ngers behind the fi nger guards on 
the probes while taking measurements.

• When disconnecting from a circuit, disconnect 

the “RED” lead fi rst, then the common “BLACK” 
lead.  Use one handed testing when possible.  
Work with others.

• Turn off  power to the circuit under test be-

fore cutting, unsoldering, or breaking the 
circuit.

• Do not measure resistance (ohms)  when circuit 

is powered. Isolate load by disconnecting 
from circuit.

• Disconnect the meter from the circuit before 

turning any inductor off , including motors, 
transformers, and solenoids.  High voltage 

transients can damage the meter beyond 
repair.  Do not use during electrical storms.

• Do not apply more than rated voltages between 

input and ground.

• Isolate capacitors from system and discharge 

them safely before testing.

All voltage tests:  

All voltage ranges will 

withstand up to 600V.  Do not apply more than 
600VDC or AC rms.

Symbols used:
 

Caution, risk of electric shock

 

Caution, refer to manual.

 Ground
 Double 

insulation

Specifi cations

Display: 

5000 count dual display with backlight

Overrange: 

(OL) or (-OL) is displayed 

Measurement rate:

  3.3 times per second, nominal

Zero:

 Automatic

Operating environment:

 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C) at <70% 

relative humidity

Storage temperature:

 -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C), 0 to 80% RH 

(with battery removed)

Accuracy: 

Stated accuracy @ 73°F±9°F (23°C±5°C), <75%RH

Temperature coeffi

  cient:

  0.1 x (specifi ed accuracy) per °C [0°C to 

19°C (32°F to 66°F), 28°C to 50° C(82°F to 122°F)]

APO (Auto Power Off ):  

Approx. 30 minutes

Power:

 Single standard 9-volt battery, NEDA 1604, JIS 006P, IEC 6F22

Battery life: 

200 hours typical alkaline (SC55); 100 hours typical 

alkaline (SC56)

Low battery indication:

 Battery icon blinks and "LO.bt" is displayed 

when the battery voltage drops below the operating level

Dimensions: 

258.3mm(H) x 71.2mm(W) x 42.7mm(D)

Weight: 

 Approx. 278g including battery

Overload protection:  

600 VDC or 600VAC rms unless otherwise 

stated

Test leads: 

Use the test leads that are supplied with the meter or UL 

listed test leads rated CATIII 600V or above.

Please operate the instrument following all instructions 

of the operator's manual to avoid imparing safety of the 
product.

Functions

Temperature (°F/°C)

Plug any K-type thermocouple directly into the meter to measure 

temperature. Cold junction is located “inside meter” and allows for 
extremely accurate measurements even in rapidly changing ambient 
temperatures (going from rooftop to freezer). No adapter is required.  
See Temp Calibration section for calibration instructions.  

Range:

 -30°F to 932°F, (-35°C to 500°C)  

Resolution:

  0.1°

Accuracy:

    ±(1°F) 32°F to 120°F,  ±(1°C) 0°C to 49°C

±(1%+2°F) 32°F to 572°F,  ±(1%+1°C) 0°C to 300°C
±(2%+6°F) -30°F to 32°F,  ±(2%+3°C) -35°C to 0°C
±(2%+6°F) 572°F to 932°F,  ±(2%+3°C) 300°C to 500°C

Sensor type:  

K-type thermocouple

Overload protection:  

30 VDC or 30VAC rms

Non Contact Voltage (NCV)

Use the non contact voltage (NCV) feature to test if a wire is hot 

or not.  Always test on a known live source before using. A three 
segment graph will show intensity of fi eld (EF) detected. A red LED 
blinks when beeping sound is emitted at >24VAC

AC Voltage Detection Range:

  24VAC to 600VAC (50-60Hz)

Voltage AC (VAC) (50Hz-500Hz)

Test power lines (120, 220, 480), test 24V going to controls, and 

test for transformer failure.

Ranges:

  500mV, 5V, 50V, 500V, 600V  

Resolution:

  0.1mV

Accuracy:

  ±(1.2% + 8) 500mV range (50-60Hz)

 

 

±(1.2%+8), 5V, 50V, 500V;  ±(1.5% + 8) 600V range

True RMS: 

 model SC56 only

  Crest factor:

  ≤ 3

Input impedance:

  >100MΩ (500mV), 10MΩ (5V), 

9.1MΩ (50V-600V) 

O

F

F

MFD

NCV

V

AC

V

DC

A

AC

Hz

Hz

%

°C

°F

AUTO OFF

TRUE RMS

CAT III

600V

TEMP

K-TYPE

30V 

MAX

Unplug Leads and Slide 

TEMP Switch to the Right

 

O

F

F

MFD

NCV

V

AC

V

DC

A

AC

Hz

Hz

%

°C

°F

SEL

RNG

O

F

F

MFD

NCV

V

AC

V

DC

A

AC

Hz

Hz

%

°C

°F

!

  WARNINGS

DISCONNECT AND UNPLUG TEST LEADS before opening case.
TEST NCV FUNCTION ON KNOWN LIVE WIRE before using.
DO NOT APPLY VOLTAGE greater than 30VAC or 60VDC to the 

thermocouple or the jacks when the rotary dial is on °F. (Use 
only k-type thermocouples)

REMOVE THE THERMOCOUPLE when taking voltage measurements.
DISCONNECT TEST LEADS when measuring temperature.
DO NOT APPLY VOLTAGE TO THE JACKS when the rotary dial is on 

microamps. Even low voltages can cause a current overload and 
potentially harm the meter.

O

F

F

MFD

NCV

V

AC

V

DC

A

AC

Hz

Hz

%

°C

°F

SC56

AUTO OFF

TRUE RMS

CAT III

600V

TEMP

K-TYPE

30V 

MAX

SEL

IN

O

F

F

!

 

99 Washington Street 
Melrose, MA 02176 

Phone

 781-665-

1400

Toll Free 1-800-517-8431

 

Visit us at www.T

estEquipmentDepot.com

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