| Q. |
Why won't the buttons on the front panel work? |
| A. |
Usually this is a result of the key lockout feature that is incorporated into all AR Hypot III models. This feature provides security and safety by disabling the front panel so that unauthorized users cannot program the instrument. To bypass this feature use the following procedure:
- Power up the unit while holding down the top soft key button.
- When the Perform Test screen appears press the Menu key.
- When the Main Menu screen appears press the Menu key.
- Press the System key.
- Use the "v" to scroll down to the Lock parameter.
- Press the "+" key to toggle the Lock parameter to OFF.
- Press the Exit key to return to the Perform Test screen.
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| Q. |
What is VERI-CHEK? |
| A. |
VERI-CHEK is a patented self-verification system that allows for quick and easy validation of an AR Hypot III. When enabled, this feature walks the user through a series of steps designed to verify that the product is functioning correctly.
VERI-CHEK can be used to verify the functionality of the Continuity, AC Hipot, DC Hipot, and Insulation Resistance tests.
In order to enable the VERI-CHEK feature press the Test button while the unit is displaying the power up screen (above). The VERI-CHEK feature will walk the user through the verification procedure with a series of prompts from the display.
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| Q. |
What is CAL-ALERT? |
| A. |
CAL-ALERT is a patented feature that automatically alerts the user when the instrument is due to be calibrated. The user can enter both the calibration due date as well as the calibration alert date. In order to access the CAL-ALERT feature use the following procedure:
- Power up the unit.
- When the Perform Test screen appears, press the Menu key.
- When the Main Menu screen appears press the Menu key.
- Press the System key.
- Use the "v" to scroll down to the parameter.
- From this menu screen you can select and adjust several parameters: Cal Alert, Cal Date, Cal Due, and Alert.
- Press the "v" to scroll between test parameters. Press the ">" key to select the month, day and year. Press the "+" key to edit the parameters.
- After adjusting all necessary parameters, press the Exit key to return to the Perform Test screen.
Cal Alert: This parameter enables or disables the CAL-ALERT feature. Use the "+" key to toggle this feature ON and OFF.
Cal Date: This non-editable parameter indicates the last date of calibration. It will automatically be updated with each calibration that is performed.
Cal Due: This parameter indicates when the unit should be sent in for calibration. AR recommends that all units be calibrated once a year. The date is automatically set for 1 year after each calibration.
Alert: This is an editable parameter that can be used to alert the user of the impending calibration date. Once set, the unit will show a reminder on the display that the unit is scheduled to be calibrated. The user can set this parameter to any specific date in advance of the calibration due date to provide ample time to send the unit into AR. The default value of this parameter is automatically set to 11 months after each calibration is completed.
*Note: The Cal. Alert screen will be displayed every time the unit is powered-up once the calibration alert date has been reached.
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| Q. |
How do I connect memory steps? / Are my memory steps connected? |
| A. |
All AR Hypot III models come equipped with 10 programmable memory locations each capable of storing up to 3 steps. Depending on the features of the model, each step can be used to execute a specific test (AC/DC Withstand or IR). Using these steps and memory locations, a user can program the hipot to execute up to a 3 step test routine for each memory location. The hipot will display the memory and step status in the following manner: M8-2 (memory location 8, step 2). In order to connect multiple steps within a memory location follow this procedure:
- Power up the unit.
- When the Perform Test screen appears, press the Menu key
- Press the Memory key to select the desired memory location (M0-9).
- Press the Step key until the unit indicates Step 1 of the current memory location (i.e. M3-1).
- Press the Menu key.
- Press the Test key to enter the Test Menu.
- After entering the test type and parameters for the current test, scroll down to the Connect parameter by pressing the "v" key.
- Press the Edit key to select the Connect parameter.
- Press the "+" key to toggle the Connect parameter to ON.
- Press the Exit key two times to return to the Perform Test screen.
- Step 1 is now connected to Step 2
- Repeat the process to connect Step 2 to Step 3.
*Note: The Hypot III will now display the memory and step location followed by an underscore (i.e. M3-2_). The underscore symbolizes that the current step is connected to the subsequent step. As each memory location is only capable of supporting 3 steps, the Connect parameter will not be available when editing Step 3 of any memory location.
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| Q. |
Why does my Hypot III fail to execute the entire test sequence when all my linked memory steps are connected? |
| A. |
This can occur for one of two reasons. First, if any one of the linked tests fails, the test sequence will stop and the user must push the reset button and begin the sequence again. Second, all AR Hypot III models come with a single step function that allows the user to run one step at a time from a sequence of connected steps. The single step command overrides the connect command. To disable the single step command use the following procedure:
- Power up the unit.
- When the Perform Test screen appears, press the Menu key.
- When the Main Menu screen appears press the Menu key.
- Press the System key.
- Press the "v" to select the Single Step parameter.
- Press the "+" key to toggle the Single Step command to ON.
- Press the Exit key to return to the Perform Test screen.
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| Q. |
What is the Min-Lmt setting on my AC/DC Withstand test? |
| A. |
Current will not flow through an open loop. Thus if the DUT isn't properly connected during the AC/DC Withstand test, a PASS condition could be issued since there is no minimum current limit setting.
For this reason all AR Hypot III models come with a minimum limit feature that may be activated during an AC or DC Withstand test. The minimum limit (Min-Lmt) feature is a programmable minimum current threshold that triggers a failure when the metered current value does not exceed the programmed current value.
Enabling this feature (entering a Min-Lmt setting other than 0) ensures that the Hypot III is connected to the DUT thereby preventing false PASS conditions.
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| Q. |
How do I determine the Max-Lmt setting on my AC/DC Withstand test? |
| A. |
As there is no official standard for this setting, safety agencies usually leave it up to the manufacturer of the DUT to determine the appropriate maximum leakage current trip-point (Max-Lmt) on a hipot test. Generally, AR recommends that a manufacturer perform a hipot test on a several known good DUT's and average the leakage current measurements. The resulting average current measurement can then be used as a benchmark for the nominal leakage current of the DUT. By setting the Max-Lmt parameter of the hipot slightly higher than this average the manufacturer will ensure that a failure condition occurs when the leakage current exceeds the average value.
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| Q. |
Why do I get a Max-Lmt failure on my DC Withstand test before I reach my test voltage? |
| A. |
The DC Withstand test can be prone to Max-Lmt failures when the DUT is a highly capacitive load. This is due to the momentary charging currents associated with applying a DC voltage to a capacitor. If the test voltage is ramped up too fast, the charging current might exceed the Max-Lmt threshold and cause a false failure to occur.
In order to compensate for this problem, two approaches can be used: 1.) slowly ramp up the voltage during the test; 2.) raise the Max-Lmt parameter. Ramping up the voltage over an extended period of time or raising the value of the Max-Lmt parameter will keep the charging currents from exceeding the Max-Lmt threshold.
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| Q. |
What is the Max-Lmt setting on my Insulation Resistance test? |
| A. |
The resistance of an open circuit is infinite. Thus if the DUT isn't properly connected during the Insulation Resistance test, a PASS condition could be issued since the calculated resistance exceeds the Min-Lmt setting.
For this reason the AR Hypot III model 3670 comes with a maximum limit feature that may be activated during an insulation resistance test. The maximum limit (Max-Lmt) feature is a maximum resistance threshold that triggers a failure when exceeded.
By enabling this feature (entering a Max-Lmt setting other than 0) the Hypot III will trigger a failure condition if the metered resistance exceeds the programmed Max-Lmt value. This feature ensures that the tester is connected to the DUT thereby preventing false PASS conditions.
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| Q. |
Why does my Hypot III display >10GΩ on my Insulation Resistance test? |
| A. |
The AR Hypot III model 3670 has the capability to measure up to 9999 MΩ of resistance during the Insulation Resistance test. If the DUT's insulation has a value greater than 9999 MΩ Hypot III will not display a measured value, but will display the following message: ">10GΩ".
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