What range amp clamp should I get for my DMM?

[noahwins]

Which amp clamp should I get for my DMM?

I'm doing nothing fancy automotive troubleshooting and diagnostics with an OTC 3505. Drains, shorts, battery health, etc.

MID RANGE: Inductive, measures current in a range of 2-600 amps AC/DC $95.08

HIGH RANGE: Measures current in two ranges: 2-200 amps AC/DC and 2-2000 amps AC/DC $135.48

MID TO HIGH RANGE: Test charging current and starting current draw. 31 mm clamp diameter fits most vehicle applications. 0-200A, 0-1000A measurement ranges; 1mV/A output. Accuracy: +/-500mA. Resolution: 100mA. Power: 9V battery. $203.24

LOW RANGE: 19 mm clamp diameter fits most vehicles to run current drain tests. 0-20A Measurement range: 100mV/A output. Accuracy: +/-2mA. Resolution: 1mA. Power: 9V battery. $497.25

 

[6PTsocket]

Re: Which amp clamp should I get for my DMM?

I looked into amp clamp accessories for my DMM and came to the conclusion that a separate clamp on ammeter or two makes more sense.All the cost is in the clamp and sensing circuitry and the electronics to read that adds little to the cost of the meter and a single unit is more convenient to use. That may explain why there are far more clamp on anmeters than accessory clamps for DMMs.

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[Rabid Badger]

For the low range stuff give your wallet a break and pick up a Uni-T UT210E. For $45 it goes down to 1mA DC.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I use a 400 for starter current, and a 20/60 amp for low level stuff. Before that I just got a extra meter with the clamp built on the top. It worked well enough for draws. The stand alone clamps mainly get used in the scope.

 

[Tallpilot]

I use a 400 for starter current, and a 20/60 amp for low level stuff. Before that I just got a extra meter with the clamp built on the top. It worked well enough for draws. The stand alone clamps mainly get used in the scope.

See above.

https://www.aeswave.com/High-Amp-Probe-with-Banana-Plugs-p9673.html

https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html

I’m not sure you need to spend $500 on an amp clamp. I’ve never heard any complaints that these are inaccurate. I got mine with custom silicone insulated leads.

 

[bonneyman]

It all depends on the amperage you'll be measuring on a daily or semi-daily basis, and if you need RMS or not. For most home owners and DIYers - speaking real general here - a modest clamp meter would be sufficient.
An old Amprobe analog RS-3 "black beetle" meter can be had for cheap at estate sales or the classifieds. (My NOS one was gotten from a swell guy right here on the forum for not alot of cash!) Or you could buy an MA-Line digital version for reasonable ($40) and be done with it.

https://www.mccombssupply.com/economy-auto-ranging-clamp-on-meter-part-no-ma-6000cfa/

Fieldpiece has units that you plug in different "heads" for different functions. Great for beginner techs who can get in on the ground floor basic model for cheap, and upgrade as they progress with more and more attachments. A little more $$, but like I said depends on your needs.

https://www.fieldpiece.com/products/detail/hs26-the-original-stick-digital-multimeter/stick-meters/

 

[American Locomotive]

If you don't plan on measuring alternator output or starting current, a 60-100A clamp meter should be all you need.

 

[plinker]

I had bought a Fluke 374 back in '15 and it is a pretty good unit, kinda large/cumbersome at times but it's worked for what I need (so far). Also does AC amps which may or may not be handy to some.

A smaller profile clamp that'll do 100A and under would be ideal for most uses

 

[American Locomotive]

Another thing to keep in mind with standalone clamps is the accuracy of your meter. Notice how the MID-TO-HIGH-Range 0-200A/0-1000A one says the output is 1mv per amp of measured current?

Well if we take a look at the specs of your DMM, the mV range has an accuracy of +/- 0.5%. That's an uncertainty of +/- 2mv in the 400 mV range, or with that amp clamp: +/- 2A. So if you're trying to measure a circuit that's supposed to draw 4A, your DMM could report anything from 2A to 6A. That wouldn't be particularly useful.

If we look at the AESWave probe that Tallpilot posted (https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html), we see that its ranges offer 100 mV/A and 10 mV/A. Coupled with your meter in the 400mV range would yield an uncertainty of +/- 0.02A and +/- 0.2A. That would allow you to make accurate current measurements.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If you don't plan on measuring alternator output or starting current, a 60-100A clamp meter should be all you need.

A smaller profile clamp that'll do 100A and under would be ideal for most uses

If only there was a meter under 7 inches long that could measure AC & DC current from 1mA to 100A, had volts, continuity, resistance, diode check, capacitance, non-contact voltage alert and a backlight for a reasonable price that was well regarded by multiple electronics experts...

https://www.amazon.com/Uni-T-B4Q094-UT210E-Current-Capacitance/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ

 

[bonneyman]

If only there was a meter under 7 inches long that could measure AC & DC current from 1mA to 100A, had volts, continuity, resistance, diode check, capacitance, non-contact voltage alert and a backlight for a reasonable price that was well regarded by multiple electronics experts...

https://www.amazon.com/Uni-T-B4Q094-UT210E-Current-Capacitance/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ

Dang, that is a cutie!

 

[vavet]

I’d think the low range would be most useful for finding draws. If memory serves, 30 mA was an acceptable level once the car had gone to sleep. 100 mA was certainly not acceptable. You’d need to be able to discern between the two.

 

[noahwins]

Thanks guys. Continually impressed with the range of experience and technical know how on this board.

 

[6PTsocket]

It all depends on the amperage you'll be measuring on a daily or semi-daily basis, and if you need RMS or not. For most home owners and DIYers - speaking real general here - a modest clamp meter would be sufficient.
An old Amprobe analog RS-3 "black beetle" meter can be had for cheap at estate sales or the classifieds. (My NOS one was gotten from a swell guy right here on the forum for not alot of cash!) Or you could buy an MA-Line digital version for reasonable ($40) and be done with it.

https://www.mccombssupply.com/economy-auto-ranging-clamp-on-meter-part-no-ma-6000cfa/

Fieldpiece has units that you plug in different "heads" for different functions. Great for beginner techs who can get in on the ground floor basic model for cheap, and upgrade as they progress with more and more attachments. A little more $$, but like I said depends on your needs.

https://www.fieldpiece.com/products/detail/hs26-the-original-stick-digital-multimeter/stick-meters/

Isn't that Amprobe only for AC? I have one like the one pictured. Not good for automotive work.


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[bonneyman]

Isn't that Amprobe only for AC? I have one like the one pictured. Not good for automotive work.


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Yeah, 10-4. I forget that you auto guys need DC amps, and none of the stuff I work on does, so, all of my meter options are AC amps only. Sorry OP.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

See above.

https://www.aeswave.com/High-Amp-Probe-with-Banana-Plugs-p9673.html

https://www.aeswave.com/Current-Probe-Low-range-with-Banana-Plugs-p9501.html

I’m not sure you need to spend $500 on an amp clamp. I’ve never heard any complaints that these are inaccurate. I got mine with custom silicone insulated leads.

Those are the two I have; very happy with them. Although I'm always yearning for an even smaller set of jaws.

 

[toplessHO]

It all depends on the amperage you'll be measuring on a daily or semi-daily basis, and if you need RMS or not. For most home owners and DIYers - speaking real general here - a modest clamp meter would be sufficient.
An old Amprobe analog RS-3 "black beetle" meter can be had for cheap at estate sales or the classifieds. (My NOS one was gotten from a swell guy right here on the forum for not alot of cash!) Or you could buy an MA-Line digital version for reasonable ($40) and be done with it.

https://www.mccombssupply.com/economy-auto-ranging-clamp-on-meter-part-no-ma-6000cfa/

Fieldpiece has units that you plug in different "heads" for different functions. Great for beginner techs who can get in on the ground floor basic model for cheap, and upgrade as they progress with more and more attachments. A little more $$, but like I said depends on your needs.

https://www.fieldpiece.com/products/detail/hs26-the-original-stick-digital-multimeter/stick-meters/

haha "black Beetle"
Ive got a couple of those floating around.Im betting the leads will be impossible to find.

Most of these old meters wont cut the muster with todays OSHA standards
so price has come way down.Look at the Simpson 260. Plenty of those out there for under $50.

 

[FigureItOut]

If only there was a meter under 7 inches long that could measure AC & DC current from 1mA to 100A, had volts, continuity, resistance, diode check, capacitance, non-contact voltage alert and a backlight for a reasonable price that was well regarded by multiple electronics experts...



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1Q2HOQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got about 3/4 of the way through reading your wish list, getting more and more excited to make your day, when I realized where you were going with that. It's a hell of a bargain, and I only ever use the ammeter. I did use the NCVD once when I couldn't find my regular or my backup. The NCVD sure seemed to work every bit as well as my Klein, and far better than my Southwire. That current clamp is freaking sweet though.

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