Hi,
Looking for DC current clamp probes for my meter and oscilloscope, I came across these unknown (at least for me) probes:
HoldPeak HP-605A (600A AC/DC) ~USD 17 on Aliexpress
HoldPeak HP-605C (40A/6A AC/DC) ~USD 33 on Aliexpress
There is almost no technical information on these probes. Furthermore, the smaller probe specifies 2 different output ratios, but I see no way of selecting them (Switch, button, etc)
Anyone ever heard or reviewed any of these probes ? I will appreciate any comment. TIA.
Caution, Quality control at HoldPeak is no existent, I bought 100 multimeters for resale from then and all of them are not working, and they refused a return, Caution is necessary, you will get what you paid for
If you are aiming at cheap chinese options, check the Hantek CC-65 (65A) or CC-650 (650A) also available on Aliexpress.
Unless its -3dB frequency roll off is listed or can be quantified buy something else.
The Hantek CC-65 is rated to 20 MHz KHz BW and still too low BW for power electronics.
So, nobody seems to know these clamps
I am considering purchasing the HoldPeak HP-605C (6A/40A, AC/DC) to measure the parasitic drain on my vehicles. Typically, that's measuring 12VDC with current of 20 - 75mA and potentially up to 2A if there's a problem.
Rather than buy a (very expensive) full featured clamp meter that measures low current and offers data recording, I want to use this clamp adapter with a DMM I already own that measures low current and has a data logging feature.
With regard to the question about switching between 6A/40A, I can only speculate that this range setting is made on the DMM the clamp is connected to, not the clamp itself. Not sure if there would be some incompatability if the DMM has different range settings than 6A/40A, or if it's autoranging.
At this price, it's a good value if it really works, has decent documentation, and you can get the mfg to answer any questions that may arise. I'm hoping for a testimonial from others to give me some confidence on these points. I know, unlikely...
Thanks @screwbreaker! I've now changed my focus to the Hantek CC-65. Amazon reviews look good, low price, and the mfg website has the manual for download. Everything I like to see when buying test gear.
http://www.hantek.com/en/productdetail_15_77.html.
Update: I just measured the width of my auto battery cable and it's 10mm. The opening on this clamp is only 9mm, so I'm out of luck.
Thanks, but this 650 model with the larger jaws is not designed for low power circuts like the CC-65. At the lowest ranges, the CC-65 is 1mv/10mA. The 650 is 1mv/100mA. (These specs are from the manuals on their website, the product page description has some errors).
The parasitic drain on a typical auto battery is 20 - 75mA. So I need a low power clamp with large jaws, not the typical combination of features.
If I were only interested in measuring cranking amps when starting the engine (measuring hundreds of amps, not milliamps), this 650 unit would be a good fit.
The 650A is also 400 Hz only
If you are able to bring a current probe to Argentina, one very interesting oldie but goodie probe is the
Fluke Y8100. Since you are talking about parasitic currents, I wouldn't expect it to require a very high bandwidth (this one is specified up to 1kHz).
I have one and I love it!
Is the data logging featuring a must for you? If not, the Uni-t UT210E clamp meter has a 1mA resolution at the 2A DC range and it cost less than a Hantek CC-65, but I think you have already considered it.
Is the data logging featuring a must for you? If not, the Uni-t UT210E clamp meter has a 1mA resolution at the 2A DC range and it cost less than a Hantek CC-65, but I think you have already considered it.
I actually have the Uni-T UT201E clamp meter. I think it's the best low-cost clamp meter on the market.
However, for my specific application, I would like to observe the battery drain on my vehicle overnight. The drain will change when the alarm is turned on, then it will change again after some post engine-shutoff processes complete. It's not an instantaneous measurement, but occurs over a period of time.
My vehicle has an alarm switch on the hood (engine bonnet). So I can't even turn on the alarm unless the hood is closed. One workaround is to disconnect/short the alarm switch on the hood, but that involves a burdensome removal of the grill and headlamp to reach the switch.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Currently(!) looking for something like this myself. Found the Prova CM-05, which looks promising, if a bit bulky, and can be found <£100 - anyone have opinion/experience of these current probes?
That is a very interesting probe, especially for the bandwidth. However, the noise floor is a bit high for low power electronic circuits (20mA). Still a very interesting choice.
My impression is that there's a pretty steep increase in quality (and cost) required to reliably measure <200mA-ish DC currents with a Hall effect "clip-on" sensor. If (like me) you're on a budget you're probably better off with a shunt etc (or inlining your meter's own shunt resistor) for weak DC current measurements. And even with an expensive probe, I expect that environmental factors would affect the measurement quite significantly. My own application for an AC/DC current proble would be to ballpark current draw on individual wires (e.g. behind a main fuse panel) in automotive and marine applications (12-24V DC typically), and logging power/time, for troubleshooting purposes. In most cases I'd be dealing with currents >500mA <50A, which I hope is a more reasonable range to measure somewhat accurately.
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but my reply is pertinent.
For $20 I went ahead and picked one of these up (605A). My main reason was to measure the cranking current on starters for cars and motorcycles.
It works fine and is fairly accurate (+/- 3%).
The instructions are a complete mystery. Ignore them.
It needs to be used with a meter that has relative capability in it's mV range. It outputs 1mV/A
1) Set your meter to uVmV DC.
2) Connect the clamp and turn it on.
3) REL out the reading.
4) Place the clamp around the wire to be measured then read of the amperage in mV.
Seems well constructed and has a nicely implemented PCB inside with off the self components.
I have not tried to determine the BW as I have no way to modulate a high current at anything beyond 60 Hz. For what I use it for, it will do fine and for $20 it was a bargain.
Nice review.
Got the bigger amp-brother. HP605A
Decided to roll the dice and purchase the 4 cheapest AC&DC clamp meters I could find on Aliexpress at one of their sales 3 to 4 years back.
https://tinyurl.com/yprnhst9* HoldPeak HP605A 15US
* Hantek CC65 (20Khz) 40USD
* Allsun EM264 25US
* ETCR007AD (100Khz) 50US
All got AC+DC support and obviously, a mixed bag as some are for high current with jacks (DMM) and others for relatively low current with BNC.
The Hantek CC65 was the cleanest - for the price its a nice AC/DC BNC-clamp meter, while the most expensive ETCR007 which also are targeted for low-current was extremely noisy, to the point that something seemed off or maybe defective - even with 30Khz bandpass filter, I couldn't clean it up, but half of the
pads is also
unpopulatedHoldpeak HP605 with DMM (AC) - And scope (AC)
Color changing USB-LED (DC) - CC65 below (ch2 on full bw) and ETCR007A on top (ch1 LP-filtered)