Using a clamp meter on a 14-50 240V cord?

[lu787a]

I'd like to use a clamp meter to measure power on my EV charging setup. My charger is connected to a 240V NEMA 14-50 receptacle. For AC, I understand I need a AC line splitter to measure without opening up the cord and splitting out the hot/ground, etc. I've found plenty of regular 120V line splitters. Is there such a thing for a 240V 14-50 power cord? I don't charge at a very high rate, and amps are generally 20 or under.

Or is there a clamp meter feature that can measure this without a line splitter?

Thanks!

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I'd like to use a clamp meter to measure power on my EV charging setup. My charger is connected to a 240V NEMA 14-50 receptacle. For AC, I understand I need a AC line splitter to measure without opening up the cord and splitting out the hot/ground, etc. I've found plenty of regular 120V line splitters. Is there such a thing for a 240V 14-50 power cord? I don't charge at a very high rate, and amps are generally 20 or under.

Or is there a clamp meter feature that can measure this without a line splitter?

Thanks!

Open the panel and clamp the wires at the breaker.……… OR ………. You can make your own "splitter" with a male and female cord cap and a few feet of wire.

 

[rlitman]

If you clamp meter a cord without a line splitter, you'll measure 0.
With a 14-50, you have two poles to measure. In theory, there should be no neutral current on an EVSE, so the two legs SHOULD be the same, but until you check, you don't know for certain.

 

[justsam]

I have not seen such a splitter, as mentioned measure at breaker or make up a splitter cord. I did find a power monitor that has Nema 14-50 in and out, on Amazon for $90.

Not sure what EV is in play but typically you can set charging current in the EV's app, or perhaps in the app for the EVSE.

https://www.amazon.com/40-300V-Disp...Frequency/dp/B0CCR13JL8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mm08822]

Aside from the obvious of measuring the current, for what purpose?
Are you trying to just find the max, learn the charge profile, total charge amount or.........?

Some of this info can be pulled from the evse app if it has one.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

If you clamp meter a cord without a line splitter, you'll measure 0.
With a 14-50, you have two poles to measure. In theory, there should be no neutral current on an EVSE, so the two legs SHOULD be the same, but until you check, you don't know for certain.

most EVSEs don't land the neutral. measuring 1 leg is fine.

 

[fitter30]

Check at the breaker.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'd like to use a clamp meter to measure power on my EV charging setup. My charger is connected to a 240V NEMA 14-50 receptacle. For AC, I understand I need a AC line splitter to measure without opening up the cord and splitting out the hot/ground, etc. I've found plenty of regular 120V line splitters. Is there such a thing for a 240V 14-50 power cord? I don't charge at a very high rate, and amps are generally 20 or under.

Ive never seen one

Or is there a clamp meter feature that can measure this without a line splitter?

Thanks!

nope. the 2 ungrounded conductor cancel each other out so when metered together there is nothing the clamp meter can do nor is there a feature to use. literally there is nothing to meter

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Check at the breaker.

this

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Already been stated but just open the panel and clamp on at the breaker. Don't overthink this.