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Clamp-on ammeters

M

Marc

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm looking to pick up a clamp-on ammeter/ multitester. Are these
clamp-on ammeters AC or DC specific of do they read amps universal.
 
G

GregS

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm looking to pick up a clamp-on ammeter/ multitester. Are these
clamp-on ammeters AC or DC specific of do they read amps universal.

AC is the most common. DC is very uncommon.

greg
 
M

Matt Colie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Marc,

Most DC clamp on current probes or meters will read either AC or DC.

If it does not say DC, there is little chance that it does.

You can get a very functional AC unit for less the 100$us.
You better be ready to shell out 300$us for a DC/AC probe or unit.

If you do not need accuracy, look up a KD tools 2423 They go in the
10-20$us range and are better than a guess.

Matt Colie
 
AC is the most common. DC is very uncommon.

greg
Be very wary. Many advertisments quote AC/DC Ammeter. Read on and its
AC current via the clamp and AC and DC volts via the prods.

Richard

Nb "Pound Eater" Parkend G+S
 
G

Glen \Wiley\ Wilson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm looking to pick up a clamp-on ammeter/ multitester. Are these
clamp-on ammeters AC or DC specific of do they read amps universal.
I picked up a pretty nice one about 2 years ago at Sears. AC and
DC current off the clamp, with all the usual stuff plus a temperature
probe. Under $100 and it's extrememly useful. Goes through batteries
like crazy, though.


____________________________________________________________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson <usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com>
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
logger at http://www.worldwidewiley.com/
 
D

David&Joan

Jan 1, 1970
0
Marc:

AC and DC clamp on ammeters use entirely different electrical mechanisms. AC
meters measure the current induced from the wire to the surrounding clamp on
coil. DC meters use a physics principle called the Hall Effect. Some meters
like mine use both.

I have a AC/DC clamp on ammeter sold by Ancor (but probably made by Fluke).
It measures AC and DC current in two ranges: 0-200 amps and 0-40 amps. The
lower range is good for a tenth of an amp real world resolution.

Since we mostly live in a DC world, this meter is the best troubleshooting
device a boater can have. I paid about $200 for mine and couldn't live
without it.

David
 
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