kyoritsu Model K-1200P Analog multimeter

dingdowner · Apr 16, 2011

Greetings to all members,
As this is the best place to ask an electrical question, I know one of the older heads out there will have seen or used one of these some time in the past.
I have an old but still serviceable and very large Analog Multimeter Model K-1200P made by Kyoritsu.
I have been using it for basic electrical tests both AC and DC at home and in the car but would like to use its more extended functions other than just testing for power or continuity, as it has 6 other sockets apart from the Common(Black) and + (Red) sockets where test probes can be inserted. Does any one have any guidance on what these sockets can be used for? They are labelled- -10A and +1V close together, +50 MicroU/+250MV and +10A close together and Output and 1KV (AC/DC) close together. The range is 500MA (also used for transit) to 500V(1KV) on the left side of the rotary dial and 100MA to Rx10K on the right side of the rotary dial.
There is also a red Overload reset button, in case one is daft enough to set the scale below what one is actually measuring and it will pop up and need a press down to reset it. The meter can be used via a selector switch in -DC, +DC or AC mode and has a Zero Ohm knob and a needle adjuster screw to set the pointer to infinity if needed.
It is powered by an internal 9Volt battery.
I do hope one of the members can shed some light on the extended features offered by this very useful and obviously versatile test meter-Here's hoping!!!
Eric

MarkieSparkie · Apr 17, 2011

Eric, I last time used one of these instruments was as an apprentice some 30 years ago, the information I am about to give you is from memory.

The meter is a fairly rugged analogue multi-meter that was offered by Kyoritsu as a cheaper alternative to the industry favourite, the AVO model 8. In order to reduce cost they used a less complex rotary switching system for the ranges, with some of its additional ranges selected via a combination of switch position and 4mm sockets.
The 3 position rotary switch on the left hand side:- Anticlockwise position -DC, reverses the standard black and red sockets polarity COMMON (black) becomes + and + (red) becomes COMMON. The centre position +DC, the standard sockets polarity is as marked. In both of the preceding positions, the ranges set on the middle rotary switch are DC. Clockwise position AC, the ranges set on the middle rotary switch are AC.
The middle 12 position rotary switch has the basic ranges marked adjacent to the leader lines. Underneath some basic ranges there are additional settings in subscript. Fully anticlockwise to fully clockwise the basic ranges are:- Voltage 500V, 250V, 50V, 10V, 2.5V, Current 500mA (0.5A), 100mA (0.1A), 10mA (0.01A), Resistance Rx1 (2Kohms), Rx100 (200Kohms) and Rx10K (20Mohms). The basic voltage and current ranges require the black and red test leads to be in the COMMON and + sockets respectively. I believe the resistance ranges may require the red lead to be moved to the OUTPUT socket, you’ll need to check this for yourself. With the probes shorted together and the Rx1 range selected, rotate the ZERO OHMS potentiometer to null the lead resistance and set the meter pointer to zero on the ohms scale, before making any resistance measurements.
The (50V) range becomes 50uA (0.000050A) DC only, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into top socket 2nd from the right marked +50uA ). With the range switch in any other position this same socket becomes +250MV range, please avoid using this range as the standard test leads provide in-adequate protection to the operator/meter, there was a special high voltage probe for use on this range (which I assume you don’t have), the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (500V) range becomes 1KV (1000V) AC and DC ranges, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the bottom right hand socket marked 1KV AC/DC, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (2.5V) range becomes 1V DC only, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the top socket 2nd from the left marked +1V, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (500mA) range becomes a TRANSIT setting, shunting the sensitive meter movement and should be selected when the meter is not in use and likely to me moved.
The (10mA) range becomes either a) +10A DC only when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the top right socket marked +10A or b) -10A when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the left socket marked -10A, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket, obviously the polarity of the test leads are reversed in this case.
Phew, I hope that helps?

dingdowner · Apr 17, 2011

MarkieSparkie said:
Eric, I last time used one of these instruments was as an apprentice some 30 years ago, the information I am about to give you is from memory.
The meter is a fairly rugged analogue multi-meter that was offered by Kyoritsu as a cheaper alternative to the industry favourite, the AVO model 8. In order to reduce cost they used a less complex rotary switching system for the ranges, with some of its additional ranges selected via a combination of switch position and 4mm sockets.
The 3 position rotary switch on the left hand side:- Anticlockwise position -DC, reverses the standard black and red sockets polarity COMMON (black) becomes + and + (red) becomes COMMON. The centre position +DC, the standard sockets polarity is as marked. In both of the preceding positions, the ranges set on the middle rotary switch are DC. Clockwise position AC, the ranges set on the middle rotary switch are AC.
The middle 12 position rotary switch has the basic ranges marked adjacent to the leader lines. Underneath some basic ranges there are additional settings in subscript. Fully anticlockwise to fully clockwise the basic ranges are:- Voltage 500V, 250V, 50V, 10V, 2.5V, Current 500mA (0.5A), 100mA (0.1A), 10mA (0.01A), Resistance Rx1 (2Kohms), Rx100 (200Kohms) and Rx10K (20Mohms). The basic voltage and current ranges require the black and red test leads to be in the COMMON and + sockets respectively. I believe the resistance ranges may require the red lead to be moved to the OUTPUT socket, you’ll need to check this for yourself. With the probes shorted together and the Rx1 range selected, rotate the ZERO OHMS potentiometer to null the lead resistance and set the meter pointer to zero on the ohms scale, before making any resistance measurements.
The (50V) range becomes 50uA (0.000050A) DC only, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into top socket 2nd from the right marked +50uA ). With the range switch in any other position this same socket becomes +250MV range, please avoid using this range as the standard test leads provide in-adequate protection to the operator/meter, there was a special high voltage probe for use on this range (which I assume you don’t have), the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (500V) range becomes 1KV (1000V) AC and DC ranges, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the bottom right hand socket marked 1KV AC/DC, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (2.5V) range becomes 1V DC only, when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the top socket 2nd from the left marked +1V, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket.
The (500mA) range becomes a TRANSIT setting, shunting the sensitive meter movement and should be selected when the meter is not in use and likely to me moved.
The (10mA) range becomes either a) +10A DC only when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the top right socket marked +10A or b) -10A when the red test lead is moved from the normal + (red) socket and is plugged into the left socket marked -10A, the black test lead remains in the COMMON (black) socket, obviously the polarity of the test leads are reversed in this case.
Phew, I hope that helps?

Gee Markie, If I had asked for a operators manual direct from the manufacturer I could not have asked for more!! It just goes to show, the older heads do have the knowledge just like the London cabbies. Many thanks indeed for this detailed info, I can now proceed to use the tester to some of its full potential, having taken note of your warnings re the +500volt range- somehow don't think I will be getting into that sort of area anytime soon!
Best regards, and thanks again
Eric