CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Besides occasional cleaning and battery replacement, the voltage tester is maintenance-free.
The voltage tester must be disconnected from all devices under test before cleaning.
After cleaning, allow the product to dry completely before using it again.
Never try to open the housing, apart from the battery compartment.
Check the technical safety of the voltage tester regularly. It is understood that safe operation is no longer possible:
• if the device or he connecting cable is visibly damaged
• after prolonged storage under unfavourable conditions
• after extraordinary transport stress
The outside of the device should be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth or brush only. Do not use abrasive or chemical cleaning
agents which could damage the housing or impair operation.
DISPOSAL
Electronic products are recyclables and do not belong in the household waste. When the device has reached
the end of its service life, please dispose of it, according to the current statutory requirements, at your local
collecting site. It is prohibited to dispose of the device with domestic waste.
Disposal of used batteries!
You as the ultimate consumer are legally obliged (Regulation on Spent Batteries) to return all dead batteries; disposal in the
household waste is prohibited!
Batteries containing hazardous substance are marked by the symbols alongside which indicates the prohibition
of disposal with domestic waste. The symbols of the relevant heavy metals are: Cd = Cadmium, Hg = Mercury,
Pb = Lead. You can hand in your used batteries at the collection points of your community at no cost or every-
where where batteries/accumulators are sold.
Thus you fulfil your statutory obligations and contribute to the protection of the environment!
TECHNICAL DATA
General information
Voltage indicator LED
12, 24, 36, 50, 120, 230, 400, 690 V AC/DC
Voltage indicator LCD
12 - 690 V AC/DC
Resolution LCD
0.1 V (12 - 300 V), 1 V (>300 V)
Polarity indicator
+, -, +/- (AC)
Indicator tolerance LCD
± (3% + 5 counts)
Indicator tolerance LED
according to EN61243-3
Voltage display
automatic
Signal
> 38 V, continuity
Display delay
<1 s LED
Frequency range f
DC, 16 ... 400 Hz
Power input
approx. 2.1 W at 690 V
Max test current I
<3.5 mA
Warning indicator LED
>50 V/AC, >120 V/DC
Measuring time / cycle
max. 30 seconds
Rest time
240 seconds
LED/LCD indicator from
> 10 V AC/DC
Power supply
2x 1.5 V (AAA/LR03)
Battery power supply
approx. 80 mA
Temperature range operation
-15 to +55°C
Storage temperature
-20 to +70 °C
Rel. Humidity
max. 85%, non-condensing
Measurement category
CATIII 1000 V, CAT IV 600 V
Pollution degree
2
Operating altitude
max. 2000 m above N.N.
Protection type
IP64
Rotating field direction indicator
only on grounded three-phase systems!
Voltage range
120 - 400 V/AC
Frequency range
50 / 60 Hz
Continuity test
Test range
0 - 500 kΩ (+50 %)
Overvoltage protection
690 V DC/AC
Single-pole phase test
Voltage range
100 - 690 V/AC
Frequency range
50 / 60 Hz
Legal notice
These operating instructions are a publication by Conrad Electronic SE, Klaus-Conrad-Str. 1, D-92240 Hirschau (www.conrad.com).
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming, or the capture in electronic data
processing systems require the prior written approval by the editor. Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited.
These operating instructions represent the technical status at the time of printing.
© Copyright 2014 by Conrad Electronic SE.
G
• Close and lock the battery compartment in reverse order. Make sure that the sealing ring on the battery compartment
does not get pinched or damaged. There is only one position for the battery compartment cover to match the device. The
groove must be located on the right.
Battery replacement is necessary when the level indicator (8) is no longer illuminated during the function test, or the battery
replacement symbol appears on the LCD, or if you cannot hear the signal sound any longer, when the contacts of the two
probes (4 and 6) are in contact.
When the batteries are empty, only the warning indicator (10) for “Dangerous Voltage” will function
when the test voltage reaches 50 V/AC or 120 V/DC. Do not ever touch the measuring contacts, if this
indicator is on.
Operation while the battery compartment is open, is not permitted.
To prevent damage to the device from leaking batteries, remove the batteries from the device if you will not be using it for a
longer period. For the same reason, we recommend that you remove flat batteries immediately.
Compatible alkaline batteries can be obtained with the following order number:
Ord. no. 65 23 03 (2 pcs. Please order 1x unit).
Only use alkaline batteries; they are high-performance and durable.
MESUREMENT POINTS ILLUMINATION
The VC-55 has a battery-operated measuring point illumination.
Press button (15) to turn illumination on and off. The light is on for about 130 seconds and disappears automatically.
PERFORMING TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS
The two-pole voltage tester consists of the two probes (4 and 6), a connecting cable (18) and the indicator panel.
Always hold the voltage tester in a way, that you can look down onto the indicator panel. Illuminated indicators may be
adversely affected by strong light.
For DC measurements, the probe tip L2+ (6) is the positive pole, and the probe tip L1- (4) is the negative pole.
The VC-55 will autonomously turn on when the test starts (entry level >10 V), and when the test has been completed, it turns
off.
Always check that the voltage tester is functioning properly prior and after employment. Measure
a known voltage source (mains voltage 230 V/AC, for example) first, and check the accuracy of the
readouts. In the event of one or more indicating ranges (8) fail, do not use the voltage tester.
If the meter does not display any function or individual indicator ranges are not functioning, decommis-
sion the voltage tester. A defective voltage tester must not be used.
Observe the regulations regarding work with electrical systems. Personal protective equipment must be
used when working on systems with dangerous electrical voltage.
The maximum permitted duty cycle (ON) is 30 seconds. After that time has passed, an operational rest
of 240 minutes at least, has to be maintained.
The following measurement functions can be conducted:
a) Two-pole voltage metering
Always hold the voltage tester by the handles designed for this purpose (1 and 16). Never reach beyond the tactile barrier of
the grip (5 and 13).
Guide the two probe tips onto the measurement points to be tested. The voltage range is shown on the level indicator (8) and
the present measuring voltage is shown on the LCD display.
The light indicators (+) and (-) show the type of voltage and the corresponding polarity. If both indicators, LED (+) and (-) are
lit at the same time, alternating current (AC) is present. Polarity is only indicated by means of the two LEDs.
At a voltage of about 38 V/AC or 100 V/DC a signal sound is produced. The rotating field indicator “L” and “R” may flash
during metering. This is a technical issue and is without significance or impact on the measuring process.
The two probe tips L1 und L2 can be connected to one another, laterally via the fastening clamp on the
handle grip barrier of probe tip L1 (5).
The distance between the two probes is 19 mm, which complies with the standardized contact gap for
EU and safety socket outlets.
In addition, establishing contact inside the outlets is made even easier when the included 4 mm
adapter screws are used. That way, the voltage tester can be guided by using one hand only.
Make sure that your hand remains within the grip area (16) of probe tip L2 and that
you don’t cover the display.
b) Rotating field indicator
VC-55 shows the rotating field direction of properly grounded three-phase systems (with batteries only). The voltage tester
detects the order of increasing phases to ground potential
Hold the voltage tester by the handles (1) and (16) provided. Never touch the device beyond the handle ends.
Connect the two probes to the measuring points that you want to measure.
The probe L1 (4) corresponds to the outer cable (phase) L1.
The probe L1 (6) corresponds to the outer cable (phase) L2.
The available voltage range and the phase sequence is represented on the display.
The illuminated indicators (12) show the applicable rotating field direction (L = left turning / R = right turning).
Example 1:
Example 2:
Probe tip L1 to outer cable L1,
probe tip L1 to outer cable L2,
Probe tip L2 to outer cable L2,
probe tip L2 to outer cable L3,
The correct field rotation “R” is displayed
The correct field rotation “R” is displayed
Example 3:
Probe tip L1 to outer cable L2,
Probe tip L2 to outer cable L1,
Opposite phase sequence “L” is displayed
c) Continuity test
When batteries are inserted, the VC-55 can be used as a continuity tester.
Hold the voltage tester by the handles (1) and (16) provided. Never touch the device beyond the handle ends.
Check function before your start metering.
Connect both probe tips to one another. A signal sounds and the display is illuminated (11).
If this is not the case, replace the batteries as described under “Inserting/Replacing the Batteries”.
The continuity tester indicates a resistance of about 0 - 500 kΩ (+50%) as continuity.
d) Single-pole phase test
When batteries are inserted, the VC-55 can be used as a single-pole phase tester.
Hold the voltage tester by the handles (1) and (16) provided. Never touch the device beyond the handle ends.
This single-pole phase test serves as a quick test only, and prior to any work conducted on this line the
absence of voltage must be rechecked using the double-pole measuring method. Observe the regula-
tions regarding work with electrical systems.
Contact probe tip L2 with the measuring point to be tested. Probe L1 has no contact.
If an alternating voltage >100 V is present, the indicator (10) lights up and a signal sounds.
The single-pole phase display may be adversely affected by unfavourable ambient conditions (electro-
static fields, good insulation etc.). However, perform an additional double-pole voltage test to determine
that voltage is absent.
