Products > Test Equipment

What to look for in a clamp meter?

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apelly:
Out of idle curiosity. I have done no research.

My subscribed searches on our local auction site... trademe... often turn up clamp meters. They are generally cheaper than multimeters; well, the kinds of multimeters we talk about on here anyway.

What are the interesting specs for one of these? How accurate can they be? How dangerous can they be? Which ones have you used?

retrolefty:
Being a non-contact instrument (magnetically senses the current) it's about the safest way of measurement of current as the circuit does not have to be disconnected, attached, and then reconnected, rather just open the jaws and close over the wire.

 Big thing is accuracy is less the series connected measurement methods. Also there are AC only and AC/DC clamp-on probes so be sure you get what you want or need. Note that a basic clamp-on probe won't measure the voltage of circuit, just it's current. However there are models that have a simple voltage meter included also using separate measurement leads like a standard multimeter.

georges80:
First thing you need to specify is whether you are measuring only AC current or require AC AND DC. Next, what is you maximum current requirement? What kind of voltages are in the cables you want to measure? Some clamps are not 'insulated' such as the Tek unit below, but I doubt any of the HANDHELD units are NOT :)

There are many clamp meters that can easily range into the $200+ range depending on sensitivity/accuracy.

I use an extech ma220 which provides a 40A range which can resolve 10mA steps (doesn't mean it is accurate to 10mA).

I also use Tek AC/DC current clamp and amplifier (older AM503B system with an A6302) that hooks to my scope (50MHz bandwidth) for measuring realtime current activity with various switchers and loads. I use it a LOT more than my handheld current clamp.

The extech is very handy for checking currents in various vehicle wiring without having to 'cut' into wiring. Great for finding parasitic loads etc.

cheers,
george.

Circuitous:
As mentioned, they are pretty safe.

Martin Lorton has several reviews on clamp meters, here's one:


Check out his reviews, the accuracy of these can vary a lot between brands and by how they are used.

tautech:
They are mainly intended for mains work and therefore have limited frequency capability.
Handy all the same. I mainly use one to check AC motor current draw etc.
But for electronics get a scope current probe.
Something like a TEK P6021, although limited to AC, you have very fine resolution and 60MHz capability.

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