confused recommendation please clamp on amp meter

[steveturner]

Guys i have a few regular multimeters but would like a clamp on amp meter for around house use. Basically measuring draw on house hold 14 gauge power circuits. Could be handy too around layout circuits. Any suggestion or thoughts.Many on Ebay but i am not savvy on what i need or do not need.Thanks Steve..............basically just want to clamp around wire encasement and read draw.

[cprail1986]

Ideal Industries or Klein Tools both make affordable clamp meters - under a hundred bucks canadian. I'm not 100% sure if Ideal stuff is sold in the states but Klein is for sure.

[jonklein611]

Depending on the brand of multimeter you have already, the company may make an add on module that becomes a clamp on ammeter. I know Fluke does this, I think Klein Tools as well.

[dwayne29]

Sir. Clamp-on ammeters for distribution (household/commercial) applications are very common. A number of manufacturers make them; they are colloquially referred to as 'amp-probes' (Amp-probe is one of the manufacturers). Alternatively, current sensors that can be plugged into a digital meter are pretty common, too. However, you need to be aware that measuring household AC and MRR currents are different applications. Both DCC and DC will give different, wrong, readings with a standard AC amp-probe. A clamp-on meter for low, non-AC currents will be a different, probably more expensive, device. If that is your goal look for a clamp-on device that will measure non-linear and DC currents.

Have fun.
Keep your stick on the ice.
Dwayne A

[edwardsutorik]

Steve,

Your new clamp-on ammeter MAY not work on DCC current, as it's 10,000 cycles. They're generally designed for 60 cycles. I did see one, but that one didn't read below 5,000 cycles.

If you need it to work on both 60 cycles and 10,000, make sure it does before you spend your money.



Ed