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Low current (mA) clamp meter with recording for automotive use (dark current)

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hugh_CZ:
I am looking for current clamp meter to be used in automotive dark current measurement.

Minimum currents to be measured are around 20mA, max can be up to 10A-15A peaks... I understand that clamp meter wont be very accurate, but having the values of +-5mA would be enough for me.

And clamps because I want to handover this one to the workers, that are not trained in some electrical measurement, etc...

Measurement recording is a must, so I can evaluate the results later. Ideally some industrial solution maybe? Budget is not a problem, but lets try to stay in reasonable price (+-1000€).


Is there any tool that may cover the above mentioned please? Thanks for any tips!

Byacey:
Any clamp meter for DC current will be using a hall effect sensor, which typically is too sensitive to be using for automotive use because of all the stray magnetic fields under the hood of the engine compartment.

I have one, but it's really only suitable for currents from a few amps up to 1000A.
Measuring down into the mA range, I wouln't put much faith in the accuracy of the readings.

David Hess:
I have been thinking of getting a BK Precision Model 316 which is suppose to have a resolution down to 1 milliamp for that application.

Kean:

--- Quote from: David Hess on October 18, 2024, 11:41:08 pm ---I have been thinking of getting a BK Precision Model 316 which is suppose to have a resolution down to 1 milliamp for that application.

--- End quote ---

That looks good, and seems a very similar design to the ST-337, but the ST-337 (aka TENMA IN05268) has a 4A range which suits my typical use much better.

I posted a quick comparison of some of my clamp meters earlier this year with measurement data from sub-1mA to 100mA DC.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/good-clamp-meter-for-low-dc-currents/msg5252202/#msg5252202

I have since bought a couple of Owon CM2100 clamp meters this year, and they seem to be reasonable.  The smaller opening on the ST-337 and F771 are better in my opinion, but may limit multi-turn use.

The Fluke 771 is still my go-to for small currents (less than 100mA, ideally less than 20mA for high accuracy) when it is not feasible/necessary to break to loop.  It is less sensitive to external factors and reorientation than any others, but the 100mA limit makes it unusable a lot of the time.

David Hess:

--- Quote from: Kean on October 19, 2024, 04:54:06 am ---
--- Quote from: David Hess on October 18, 2024, 11:41:08 pm ---I have been thinking of getting a BK Precision Model 316 which is suppose to have a resolution down to 1 milliamp for that application.

--- End quote ---

That looks good, and seems a very similar design to the ST-337, but the ST-337 (aka TENMA IN05268) has a 4A range which suits my typical use much better.

I posted a quick comparison of some of my clamp meters earlier this year with measurement data from sub-1mA to 100mA DC.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/good-clamp-meter-for-low-dc-currents/msg5252202/#msg5252202

I have since bought a couple of Owon CM2100 clamp meters this year, and they seem to be reasonable.  The smaller opening on the ST-337 and F771 are better in my opinion, but may limit multi-turn use.

The Fluke 771 is still my go-to for small currents (less than 100mA, ideally less than 20mA for high accuracy) when it is not feasible/necessary to break to loop.  It is less sensitive to external factors and reorientation than any others, but the 100mA limit makes it unusable a lot of the time.
--- End quote ---

The big difference between them is the number of counts.  Would have to test them to learn drift and noise levels.

BK 316   10A by 0.001A   2.5%+10   $175   Owon CM2100   2A by 0.001A   2%+8   $40   Bluetooth Version Available   Extech 380950   4A by 0.001A   2.5%+4   $160UNI-T UT210A   2A by 0.001A   2%+8   25$   UNI-T UT210B   2A by 0.001A   4%+30   25$   

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