AC/DC Clamp Meter

[Fred Mc]

I'm thinking of getting an AC/DC  clamp meter.There are lots of ones that will measure AC voltage and amps as well as DC voltage but not so many that also measure DC amps and they seem to be expensive. How sensitive/accurate are the ones that  measure DC amps. Want one to measure phantom DC loads etc.

Thanks

Fred

[DoubleEagle]

If you want accuracy, check out models by Fluke.

[buswarrior]

Fluke x2.

Proudly buy it once,
protect it like your favorite child,
enjoy its performance.

Cheap meters lie and you get to buy them over and over.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Fred Mc]

Maybe I should have asked " how sensitive are they for small loads like a phantom load in the mini-amp range".  Is the clamp on style as accurate as hooking up your meter directly?

[windtrader]

I went through this analysis last year. I determined that best value, features, and specs for busnut was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IB4N3YG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is not a Fluke but we aren't professional electricians who buy the best and most durable tools of their trade. I find it does an excellent job and far less money than Fluke.

[Fred Mc]

Thanks.
Ive had an extech mutimeter( not the clamp style) for about 25 years and its worked very well .

[chessie4905]

How about this one?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MASTECH-MS2115B-Digital-Clamp-Multimeter-True-RMS-DC-AC-Voltage-Current-Ohm-Capacitance-Frequency-Tester-USB/2019314559.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.2.ad8a40305UYaD9&s=p&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_10065_10068_204_10130_318_10547_10546_10059_5727211_10884_10548_10545_10887_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_452_10307_532_5727311,searchweb201603_60,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=bc6c6db3-ff2a-44ba-a8d5-679c2e8244cf-0&algo_pvid=bc6c6db3-ff2a-44ba-a8d5-679c2e8244cf&transAbTest=ae803_5&priceBeautifyAB=0

[Fred Mc]

If it was $15 perhaps but for only $10 more you can get one with English.

[chessie4905]

I would imagine Extech is made in same place.

[DoubleEagle]

Fluke has many models to choose from, but most of them will not be cheap.
https://www.fluke-direct.com/category/fluke-clamp-meters?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwtnAg_jo3QIVyGSGCh2zhwBOEAAYASAAEgIQbfD_BwE

[Fred Mc]

"I would imagine Extech is made in same place."
That may well be but at least their instructions are in english.

[chessie4905]

Everything I've gotten from AliExpress has had instructions in English, as well as several other languages. If it doesn't, I'll just have learn Chinese.😋
I'll let you know when it comes.

[windtrader]

Mastech was a brand that came up in my search for clamping meters. It seemed very close but I went with the other brand; can't convey the pro/con between them now. I got mine from Amazon since I have Prime and also the return/exchanging/refund process is super easy and without any hassle.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I have always wanted a Fluke, but it will be a fluke before I will ever be able to afford one. 

[bevans6]

Maybe I should have asked " how sensitive are they for small loads like a phantom load in the mini-amp range".  Is the clamp on style as accurate as hooking up your meter directly?

No, for small DC currents these are not accurate, and certainly not as accurate as putting your DVM in the circuit.  You can look at the specs - the Chinese one referenced has a lowest DC current range of 60 amps, with 3% accuracy, so probably can't measure less than one amp DC all that well.  But that's not what they are for.  They are for measuring big currents non-evasively.   But it might do fine for a binary test - some leakage, less leakage, no leakage, which might be all that you need. Old style meters don't measure true rms AC voltage and current, they assume all AC signals are sine waves.  Newer ones can measure frequency, and can sample the waveform at some rate (this one was 6,000 Hz sampling rate I think) to get closer to true RMS readings.  That might have some value if you are trying to measure the output of a square wave inverter, but not much else in the bus world.