Clamp meters

[Gragson]

Looking at getting a clamp meter, nothing fancy nor expensive as it will only be for occasional domestic use.

Seen these (which are about 12 quid cheaper on eBay)
I like all the multimeter functions built in.

Is there any benefit to having a side or middle clamp?
Other than being cheapish PRC - any down sides to these?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C2CD7XH9/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ALU6B0GG3PXPN&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07Z398YWF/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=ALU6B0GG3PXPN&th=1

 

[Misterg]

any down sides to these?

I presume that you want a clamp meter to measure current - check how sensitive those are, and whether they will measure DC current in clamp mode (I gave up trying to work it out from the Amazon descriptions).

I have found this one to be very, very good, and surprisingly good quality - it will measure down to a few mA (AC or DC) quite reliably in clamp meter mode.

(It was £40 with the case and leads when I bought one a few years ago)

UNI-T UT210D/UT201E

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ/?th=1

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Those Uni-T meters are nice. Many of the cheap ones are surprisingly accurate when tested against a Fluke, measuring inline. More than accurate enough for 99.9% of home and workshop use.

I have one like this, and it's accurate reading down to 1mA, but only reads up to 80A.

https://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/ten01...5268&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!426684131405!!!network}!881799325663!&gclid=CjwKCAjwkNOpBhBEEiwAb3Mvvb7mypENLRFSvXmKYykFQXgGv4liHSDSlsGTVouYrCu03U6-7bkg1hoCjJEQAvD_BwE

 

[zx9]

Those Uni-T meters are nice. Many of the cheap ones are surprisingly accurate when tested against a Fluke, measuring inline. More than accurate enough for 99.9% of home and workshop use.

I have one like this, and it's accurate reading down to 1mA.

https://cpc.farnell.com/tenma/ten01...5268&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!426684131405!!!network}!881799325663!&gclid=CjwKCAjwkNOpBhBEEiwAb3Mvvb7mypENLRFSvXmKYykFQXgGv4liHSDSlsGTVouYrCu03U6-7bkg1hoCjJEQAvD_BwE

I have a very similar Tenma one, most recently used when doing the piolet arc conversion on the Lidl plasma cutter to measure current in the piolet arc earth during normal use. I have in the past used it to monitor battery drain on cars as modules go to sleep whilst finding the cause of battery drain.

ZX9 parking lights ^^^ Ignition on / engine stopped below.

 

[mtt.tr]

Do you want AC or DC?

 

[MetalMonkey]

A lot depends on what you intend to measure with it which will dictate the current range, and if it does a.c or d.c or both.

The uni-t meters are pretty well regarded for the price. Be aware they have several different models with very different specifications but similar part numbers.

Brymen also have very good selection of quality meters at reasonable prices. Or there is always fluke if you are feeling flush!

I personally wouldn't by the generic no name specials, you can often get a known brand for not much more with some assurance on accuracy and safety ratings.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I have a very similar Tenma one, most recently used when doing the piolet arc conversion on the Lidl plasma cutter to measure current in the piolet arc earth during normal use. I have in the past used it to monitor battery drain on cars as modules go to sleep whilst finding the cause of battery drain.
View attachment 422277
ZX9 parking lights ^^^ Ignition on / engine stopped below.
View attachment 422276

Yes, that's identical to mine aside from the branding. I use it for checking battery drains too. I was a little skeptical when i first got it, but it's a great meter.

 

[Gragson]

Do you want AC or DC?

Mainly AC, house and appliances, ideally both, DC would be useful on occasions, car / motorbike.
@MetalMonkey yes ranges / spec is a good point.

 

[mtt.tr]

I have this uni-t

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UNI-T-Resistance-Capacitance-Multimeter-Temperature/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ/ref=asc_df_B00O1Q2HOQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232061105168&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11042557457851316223&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006555&hvtargid=pla-613402365072&psc=1

Fantastic for DC amp readings as it will read very low amps.
I don't personally use it as a multimeter as I have a multi meter for that.


I also have a uni t multimeter as the continuity test is blindingly quick to respond.
Then a dilog for any 3phase work

 

[timgunn1962]

I'd normally recommend one of the Uni-T 210-series ones for domestic use. There are different models with different capabilities, so it's a case of picking the best match for your needs.

The intended/foreseeable use is a big factor. Side clamp or middle clamp has never seemed to make much difference to me when I've used clampmeters. The big factor has usually been physical size and, very occasionally, range. Something with a 2000A range will have jaws big enough to go around a conductor capable of carrying 2000A, but be bog all use if you are trying to measure the current on a lighting circuit in the middle of a row of MCBs. Bottom-end resolution is likely to be more important than top-end range.

If you don't use meters very often, be wary of anything that can do everything and has different connectons. It's frighteningly easy to get the leads on the wrong sockets and show a circuit as dead when it is very much live.

 

[finyuk2005]

I have this uni-t

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UNI-T-Resistance-Capacitance-Multimeter-Temperature/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ/ref=asc_df_B00O1Q2HOQ/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232061105168&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11042557457851316223&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006555&hvtargid=pla-613402365072&psc=1

Fantastic for DC amp readings as it will read very low amps.
I don't personally use it as a multimeter as I have a multi meter for that.


I also have a uni t multimeter as the continuity test is blindingly quick to respond.
Then a dilog for any 3phase work

i think i have pretty much the same one, brilliant bit of kit, comes in handy, also good for just being a total dork and being obsessed with charging currents from solar or alternators and stuff

 

[brightspark]

Mainly AC, house and appliances, ideally both, DC would be useful on occasions, car / motorbike.
@MetalMonkey yes ranges / spec is a good point.

best with dc as well testing dc charger units on computers batteries and all dc apliances

 

[Misterg]

The uni-t meters are pretty well regarded for the price. Be aware they have several different models with very different specifications but similar part numbers.

Good point. I’ve just checked and mine is the UT210E

 

[armalites]

I have spent hours looking into these and never pulled the trigger. Be aware many of them list DC current measurement but it isn't on the clamp. Some of the ones that do DC on the clamp don't go low enough to measure battery drain on a car.

 

[iNf]

Blimey the price of the 210D has shot up! I chose the D as it measures temperature as well as AC/DC.

 

[premmington]

I have spent hours looking into these and never pulled the trigger. Be aware many of them list DC current measurement but it isn't on the clamp. Some of the ones that do DC on the clamp don't go low enough to measure battery drain on a car.

Correct...

They have very little use for automotive diagnostics.

"Proper" clamp meters that connect to a scope is a differing ball game. You can do injector current pull readings - starter comparrisons to measure relative compression. It is endless what you can do with a current clamp meter and a scope.

But a clamp meter with a 4000 count digital display has very little use - diagnosing car faults. I got one and really it lives in my domestic electrical repair bag.

 

[Brad93]

Bought a very lightly used fluke a few weeks back for £140.

it's a 374FC.

Does AC & DC up to 600A.

Don't discount used fluke meters.

 

[Robotstar5]

Bought a very lightly used fluke a few weeks back for £140.

it's a 374FC.

Does AC & DC up to 600A.

Don't discount used fluke meters.

I've got the plain old 374, looks like yours has the bluetooth option?

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

I have a very good Alphatek 731 clamp meter that I replaced with a new Fluke. I don’t really have a use for it now other than the clamp part is handy to hook it onto things! I keep meaning to list it on here to sell as it is too good for what I would use it for

 

[fizzy]

Apologies if I am stating the obvious but it wasn't to me once upon a time
Remember with clamp meters you can only measure individual conductors. Don't expect to measure how much a kettle is drawing by just putting it around the mains lead!