I just got a clamp on meter and when i slip it on my black wires in my box i get these crazy high readings that i know are not right. I know my AC on a 20 amp breaker is not pulling 77 amps. It has settings for 20-200-400 amps. Which one should i use? and I just clamp the wire in the end or do i just go totally around the wire? Thanks for any help. I am trying to decide the total load my house is pulling so i get an idea of what i can do in the garage.
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Can somebody school me on amp clamps?
- Thread starter 383astro
- Start date
RPH
Well-known member
Also make sure the clamp ends are clean and touching each other. Start on the highest setting and turn down until you get a proper reading. With practice you will get a good feel for the range when needed. But I was taught start high and turn down. Now that was in a different century.
Also if you wrap the wire around the clamp, divide the reading by number of turns, this can help when reading small currents.
Also if you wrap the wire around the clamp, divide the reading by number of turns, this can help when reading small currents.
If it's a new digital model don't worry about starting high, that was to protect the old analog style units (the good ones from the old days) plus if you're checking 1 wire at a time and they are going to your 15A or 20A bkr then the 20A setting should be correct. Make sure tips are clean and touching as above. Are you sure you are not reading 0.77A? Just checking. For your larger loads you may have to step up to the next range
RPH
Well-known member
Old school on starting high and a hard habit to break. Does'nt hurt to stil use it. like I said I started working with this in another century.