clamp meters

[daleyd]

I've never had a meter with the inrush button, can't say I've ever needed one. Peak hold has always been ok for me.

Most of my stuff has been industrial controls, motors etc so I can't say for house type stuff. I suppose it must be useful otherwise they wouldn't add it?

 

[brightspark]

so the 334 does inrush, does it do dc current? if im going to buy a clamp meter I may as well buy a good one

yes up to 600a ac or dc http://www.tequipment.net/Fluke334.html heres some info shop round for prices though

 

[BrokenBiker]

the specs on that site say not applicable to the dc current on the 334. does yours have a separate setting for dc current or do you just use it on AC?

 

[Sidewinder]

Inrush & peak hold are not the same as has already been said.

 

[brightspark]

the specs on that site say not applicable to the dc current on the 334. does yours have a separate setting for dc current or do you just use it on AC?

i just use it on ac
and it takes the readings

 

[eil]

The 336 and 337 do DC current, what do you think you will need the meter for, as its quite a minefield going through the different specs of different ones, one things for sure you wont get a Rolls Royce for the price of a Lada

 

[BrokenBiker]

mostly I can see it being used on ac to be honest. I would like the inrush as I can see that being handy, even if only on my own little projects. I would like to have dc though as I don't want to have to buy another if I have to test a dc motor starting current.

although if brightsparks 334 does the job then I see no reason why I cant just buy that one and use it as he does.

I would probably use dc on cars and bikes more than anything else

 

[daleyd]

Be prepared to up your budget if you want an all singing all dancing one. Think about what you will use it for, if you have the money then go for it. If money's tight, get a basic one, you can always flea bay it later and trade up if you feel you need extra features.

I work with some fairly complex gear and have never needed more than a bog standard clamp meter (true rms is a must for me, anything else is a bonus).

 

[BrokenBiker]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-True-..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2a0fd9ec02

how does this look then? ac/dc current up to 600A, ac/dc voltage up to 600V, resistance, capacitance, frequency to 10kHz, continuity and diode test, backlight and data hold.

 

[brightspark]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-True-..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2a0fd9ec02

how does this look then? ac/dc current up to 600A, ac/dc voltage up to 600V, resistance, capacitance, frequency to 10kHz, continuity and diode test, backlight and data hold.

ive never seen them before but they have a lot of good features and the price is decent

 

[daleyd]

Well, it certainly has lots of features!

Really only you can decide what you need. Personally I would buy a fluke/Agilent or other such make with less features but good build quality and from a trusted brand, but that's only my opinion. Don't forget this is something you will be using in close proximity to dangerous voltages.

If your only going to use it once in a blue moon then why not take a punt. Like I said, it's a personal thing and I'm sure some people have used them with no problems - without sounding like an advert for fluke, most pros use them because they are if not THE best, certainly right up there.

 

[brightspark]

i had to buy yet another meter u can get a lot of problems when computers and autotransformers are conected giving of earth leakage and causing nuicance tripping on rccd supplies . there suposed to be rated at 30 ma but anything over 15 ma can give u problems and u plug a kettle or anything else in they trip for no aparrent reason ,so the clamp on milliameter can pinpoint any earth leakage buildup and the amount .

 

[Robotstar5]

If you want to use it for domestic look for one that has low current measuring for earth leakage such as the Dilog

 

[daleyd]

i had to buy yet another meter

You seem to suffer with the same "shiny shiny" syndrome that I am plagued with

 

[brightspark]

You seem to suffer with the same "shiny shiny" syndrome that I am plagued with

i do loads of callouts and get all the jobs that others have supposedly fixed and given up on and burried there heads in the sand i i dont mind but u need all the gear otherwise your flogging a dead horse and the job is hard

 

[daleyd]

i do loads of callouts and get all the jobs that others have supposedly fixed and given up on and burried there heads in the sand i i dont mind but u need all the gear otherwise your flogging a dead horse and the job is hard

I know what you mean, I love anything to make my life easier. Because of this thread I'm now watching a process clamp meter on ebay that measures 4-20ma signals without disconnecting the wires.

I didn't even know they existed before today!! Must........resist...... Urge to ........buy more tools!!