Clamp meter advice

[Electrince]

I have a chinese uni-t 201a+ 600a clamp meter. Cat 3 300v cat 2 600v with cat 2 600v leads.

I test 400v machines daily with 30 - 130 amp supply but can be up to 450amps.

I don't like the leads on my meter as they feel cheap but before i replace them is this meter even suitable/safe. If not what does it lack/what are the risk? Any recomendations for a clamp meter, don't want to carry 2 meters around.


I do not like the leads on my meter

[Jeff eelcr]

Without looking up your meter, I would say NO.
You should be using a meter that meets spec's of what you work with and the leads should be comfortable to you.
Always be careful and safe, there are many good working used meters around if cost is a factor and many good quality test leads
new are not that expensive.
Jeff

[BeBuLamar]

I guess you do this as a job working for some company correct? If so wouldn't the employer buy you a good meter?

[Electrince]

They did, the uni-t from china

[J-R]

I'd say proper procedure when working with such voltages would be to have PPE, so even if the DMM is suspect you wouldn't be harmed.  That's probably the bigger issue to consider.

[BillyO]

First, what is the classification of this environment?  With 400V @ 450A it's a least CAT III.  It could be higher.

Are you actually probing in this job or just using the clamp?  If you're just clamping, it may not be a huge issue.  If you are probing voltages, just NO.

I can see using a CE certified instrument up to CAT II, but not CAT III or CAT iV.  You really need an independently certified unit for that.

As for probes, you can upgrade to Probemaster for ~$30 or so and get quality probes that are UL listed, but that's not going to stop your meter from exploding in your face.

[Electrince]

Did allot of reading on cat ratings a while ago but just refreshed my memory. The use is cat3 fixed installation and yes it is used for probing.

[Electrince]

Looking at this now..
https://www.mmstore.asia/digital-clamp-meter/488-uni-t-ut202bt-digital-clamp-meter.html

[Xena E]

Without prejudice.

I love a bargain and for low energy circuits fine buy cheap but good enough for the required results.

(Top rated test leads are a must, for any system like you're describing, cat III 600V minimum, personally I'm going north of 1kV cat IV).

If you start an arc in a high energy circuit it's a dancing bear situation.

However, with (say) Fluke clamp meters that would probably suit your work and definitely be safe enough, available for sub $200 why chance it?

I'd be looking for trustworthy independent safety reviews not manufacturers claims, or asking strangers on an Internet forum, however qualified they are. No offence intended

X

[Electrince]

A fluke would be nice although some maybe under $200 they lack features such as trms max/reading etc

[Doctorandus_P]

Those Uni-T meters are nice for DIY and (nearly) anything in your house, (That is after the fuse box, which makes it CAT II).
If you really want to use it beyond that, then don't skimp on price and buy a real meter.

But there are no guarantees. Some time ago I watched a youtube video about a service technician who either poked his fingers accidentally into 10kV or shorted it with a lead of his meter. The whole cabinet exploded, lights went out and he stumbled around in the dark too for about a minute before collapsing and never waking again.

Long time ago a service technician changed the fusebox in our house from 25A to 63A on a live circuit (3 phase 400V) He put a rubber mat on the ground, full rainsuit, thick gloves, full facemask and helmet and isolated tools, and no bystanders within a few meters. Everything went well and a few hours later he was finished.

But I still quite like my Uni-T UT210E because it has a 1mA resolution on it's current clamp. Both AC and DC.

So use the tools that are fit for the job.

[BeBuLamar]

I think a Fluke 374 to be used a current clamp only and a Fluke 87V as a DMM for using with the probe would be fine. I never used my clamp meter for anything except as current clamp.

[Xena E]

A fluke would be nice although some maybe under $200 they lack features such as trms max/reading etc

So, you need it to measure non sinusoidal high current supplies? Not in your OP.

If you're not a contractor, get your employer to buy you what you need.

If you are a contractor buy the right instrument for the job, use it correctly and live a long life.