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High amp measure multimeter

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uscarry45

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Oct 21, 2012
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I am in the market for a new multimeter. I am looking at fluke Extech Innova Klein and otc brands. They all seem to have a max 10amp current measurement
I would like to be able to measure dc amperage up to 50amps. How do I do this?

I work on a lot of heavy equipment and farm equipment. I would like to measure amp draw on circuits from 2 way radios electric start air compressors and more

What are you using?
 
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ddawg16

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I'm a fan of the old AmpProbe analog meters. That ol' analog needle tells me a lot more than a digital readout.

The All-in-one clamp on amp probes are the easiest to use. But are typically not the best for use as just a MM. I find it more helpful to have a good MM and a good clamp on amp meter
 
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General Geoff

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For best results without an amp clamp, you want a current shunt.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FK1LY8L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Basically you have to wire the shunt in series with the circuit whose current you want to measure. Then you use your DMM to measure voltage across the shunt itself, which you can readily convert to current in amps based on a simple equation. The one I linked, for example, is 1 millivolt per amp. So if you read 45 millivolts, that means 45 amps are going through the shunt. Any decent DMM will give you a min/max reading so it should be able to record spikes on equipment startup.

You can also use a similar trick to measure current draw on any circuit which is already fused, such as in a car. You just need a conversion chart, and you can use any standard fuse as a current shunt: https://www.powerprobe.com/fuse-voltage-drop-charts
 
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ClappedOutBport

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ddawg16 said:
I'm a fan of the old AmpProbe analog meters. That ol' analog needle tells me a lot more than a digital readout.

The All-in-one clamp on amp probes are the easiest to use. But are typically not the best for use as just a MM. I find it more helpful to have a good MM and a good clamp on amp meter
Click to expand...

For DC? I doubt it.
 
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C lectric

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Get yourself a clamp on ammeter that can measure DC amps. Lots available.
The ones you named all offer them.


I use a DMM and a clamp on ammeter. I also have an accessory clamp for my DMM but it is for AC only.

My DMM is FLuke 87, now old of course but still highly capable. THe newer ones have simply added some features and expanded others.

THe clamp on ammeter is a TES . Can read up to 1,000A AC & DC and I have used it like that. It can do other functions but it does not have the range, accuracy, or resolution of the DMM where the two can do similar measurements.

Between the two I sorted out some problems that would have been ???? other wise without a scope.
 
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ItsNemo

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ClappedOutBport said:
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/clamp-meters/fluke-325

Never tried it, but it should work. Measuring DC current is not easy. Remember that you'll have to split any bundled lines for a current reading.
Click to expand...

I have the Fluke 325...works great on vehicles for troubleshooting.

Another option is the Fluke i410 which is a remote clamp that plugs into a normal multimeter. Advantage being you don't have to orient the clamp in such a way that you can also see the screen which can be a bit awkward on the 325.
 
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richfinn

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Leeds, Yorkshire, England
I have a few DC clamps

Hi and Lo clamp adapters for a DVOM or Oscilloscope

Or my trusty UEi DL49 clampmeter which I use for

Alternator/Battery/parasitic draw current testing

Starter motor draw

Diesel glow plug draw

Fuel pump testing

General chasing of blown fuse etc

I Cant recommend UEi enough, I think they are Korean but they make good value test gear that lasts, they have made stuff for Snap-On and the like for rebadging

Pico will sell adaptors for your multimeter through AESwave in the USA
 
W

Wrench97

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Fluke 325 40/400a DC and AC current clamp is my go to for current(amp) measurement. Cheap clamp meters are usually AC only current measurements or if they do DC current are very inaccurate in my experience.
https://www.fluke-direct.com/produc...MIn9286LOc6AIVCniGCh0grwBqEAYYASABEgINL_D_BwE

The other easy way is with a DC current clamp addon unit that converts current to millivolts then you have to read millivolts on the meter and convert back to amps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QV360C/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
H

HenryAZ

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I still have the old Fluke 36 clamp meter, reads to 1,000 amps DC and also AC amps. It also has a true RMS multimeter, but I never use that function because the display only shows 1 digit after the decimal point. I use the Fluke 87v for regular multimeter functions.

 
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B

bwringer

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Indianapolis
Yep, you need an amp clamp that can read DC.

One of the handiest things on the planet for vehicle electrics. You have to pay close attention to the specs to make sure you've found one that can handle DC and isn't just the usual old AC-only amp clamp.

If you're diagnosing vehicle electrics specifically, a "Fuse Buddy" or similar is a fantastic little widget that replaces a fuse temporarily to let you read the current in the circuit.
 
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ItsNemo

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HenryAZ said:
I still have the old Fluke 36 clamp meter, reads to 1,000 amps DC and also AC amps. It also has a true RMS multimeter, but I never use that function because the display only shows 1 digit after the decimal point. I use the Fluke 87v for regular multimeter functions.
Click to expand...


Nothing like my 287...is a 50,000 count meter, it's awesome.
 
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