DC Clamp Meter Options.

[WorkshopChris]

I am looking for a Dc clamp meter for a upcoming job, got to test a dc braking unit,would also be handy for monitoring welding outputs.
I all ready have 3 clamp meters for testing 3 phase motors and balancing bigger installations.
At the moment i cant justify a Fluke at over £200 (although i will probably regret the decision in the future).

Apart from a basic RS Pro unit at around £70 the rest of the bunch are around £120.
Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations or has seen anything else i should look at.
https://isswww.co.uk/extech-etk35-electrical-test-kit-with-true-rms-ac-dc-clamp-meter
Have used a extxch meter before and its ok for the money.
https://isswww.co.uk/megger-dcm340-digital-acdc-clamp-meter-600a
Am more than happy with my megger insulation tester.
https://isswww.co.uk/clampmeters/amprobe-amp-320-600a-ac-dc-trms-clamp-meter
https://isswww.co.uk/clampmeters/amprobe-acdc400-clamp-on-meter
https://www.rapidonline.com/amprobe-acdc-100-clamp-multimeter-1000a-90-4012
Borrowed a high end amprobe multimeter for a while and quality felt good.

Cant decide between any at the moment but am edging towards the Amprobe AMP-320 for the best set of features, would make a ideal back up meter with lots of features.

 

[daleyd]

Haven’t looked for a while but I have used iso tech gear in the past from RS (I think it may be branded RS pro now?) and for the money it was pretty good. (very good actually!)

It didn’t seem to quite have the solid feel of fluke stuff, but it wasn’t far off and a good deal cheaper. I’d think for something like a clamp meter which probably gets used fairly infrequently, unless your using it regularly when you might justify the extra for a fluke, they’d be just fine.

 

[WorkshopChris]

The RS Pro range seams like good value, i have a couple of the multi meters dotted around the workshop. Good quality and feel to the selector switches and nice clear display but the spoil the thing with very cheap low quality test leads, would mind paying a little more for better quality.

 

[brightspark]

The RS Pro range seams like good value, i have a couple of the multi meters dotted around the workshop. Good quality and feel to the selector switches and nice clear display but the spoil the thing with very cheap low quality test leads, would mind paying a little more for better quality.

buy the meter and get better leads

 

[WorkshopChris]

buy the meter and get better leads

Thats what i done, cant stand it when you put the meter down then as you move the probes the meter goes for a walk.
Got a couple of nice silicon flexible ones.

 

[Richard.]

Mines an old HEME1000 AC/DC came from RS. It’s not a combi jobby as it will only measure current. It still passes it’s yearly calibration with flying colours. I’d recommend heme amp meters if you can still get em.

 

[Robotstar5]

This is what a clamp meter looked like when I started out in the 70's

You rotated the red wheel and the white/black scale would turn in the window to change the range.

 

[Richard.]

Here’s mine measuring dc current from my 195 Mig maxed out
You can’t get these ones no more now but they are brilliant.
Heme clamp ons were a fortune in there day.

 

[zzr1200]

Depends on how much you want to spend, I have always been happy with my Uni-t clamp meter and have never doubted the readings shown.

I use the first one listed below, it also depends on the current you wish to measure.


https://www.tester.co.uk/uni-t-ut20...SAZGUwQqWnHG4Ua9J8rBOOMU9yytRh4BoCyt8QAvD_BwE


https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O1Q2...t=&hvlocphy=9046387&hvtargid=pla-613402365072

 

[WorkshopChris]

Depends on how much you want to spend, I have always been happy with my Uni-t clamp meter and have never doubted the readings shown.

I use the first one listed below, it also depends on the current you wish to measure.


https://www.tester.co.uk/uni-t-ut20...SAZGUwQqWnHG4Ua9J8rBOOMU9yytRh4BoCyt8QAvD_BwE


https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O1Q2...t=&hvlocphy=9046387&hvtargid=pla-613402365072

Strange you should say that late last night i had a text and the job is looking more urgent so just before 11 i order a 203 from amazon.
It turned up just after 9 this morning but is missing a battery so haven't had a play yet, and i cant be bothered to go out into the fresh snow down to my electronics shed to find one.
Hope it works ok as clamp meter, as its lowest rating is only CAT II i wont use the probes to measure anything other than low voltage.
I think i will probably still get the Amprobe 320 at some point unless i find a good deal on a Fluke, but this will do what i need it to do for now.

 

[zzr1200]

Hope it works ok as clamp meter, as its lowest rating is only CAT II i wont use the probes to measure anything other than low voltage.
.

Some of the chargers I tested for output run as low as 6 amps @13.4 volts max, even had readings as low as 4 amps if the batteries were fubarred.

tht