Products > Test Equipment
Fixture to safely measure mains AC amperage
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fazalmajid:
This may be a silly question, but I would like to safely measure current on an AC mains circuit to calibrate power-measuring switches, by putting my multimeter in A mode in series with the mains connection. I'd rather use a fixture designed specifically for this rather than rig one up myself, but I have no idea to look out for. So ideally a box that has both a male and female BS1363 plug/socket, and test leads that go into the multimeter, as that seems safer than having exposed points to plug multimeter probes into. I haven't found anything like this, and have no idea what search terms to look for.

Thanks in advance!
AVGresponding:
How much current are we talking about? And what kind of accuracy and precision? Most handheld DMMs are limited to 10A, and at that you can only measure for a short time and need to let the shunt cool off before measuring something else.

Usually for something like this you'd use an inline power meter (for domestic use, like one of these), or in a commercial/industrial setting you'd use a good quality clamp meter or a much more expensive power analyser like one of these.
fazalmajid:
Thanks. I'm looking at 5% accuracy, 13A current max (in practice, closer to 1/10 of that).

An inline power meter is probably what I need to get, I am just dubious on the accuracy of the £16 made-in-China ones you get on Amazon and would like something actually calibrated.
BeBuLamar:
Use a current clamp meter. Accuracy is slightly better than 5% in most case and can measure to very high current. Significantly higher accuracy would cost a lot of money.
AVGresponding:
5% is easily within the capability of a current clamp, and it would not be difficult to make an inline breakout box that gave you a double-insulated loop of the neutral conductor to use the clamp on. The breakout box would not need to be calibrated.

Something like this would be perfectly adequate: https://www.rapidonline.com/voltcraft-vc-310-digital-clamp-meter-64-3328
2.5% basic accuracy, 2, 20, 200A ranges, and only £20. No need to spend more.

Or a Uni-T 210 off Amazon etc
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