Figure 1: Clamp meter
A clamp meter measures current through a device without making physical contact with it. The non-contact feature ensures a safe working option for the measurement of very high currents, which can otherwise be hazardous to the user. A clamp meter can also be used to measure resistance and voltage, perform continuity checks, and some devices come with features for frequency and temperature measurement as well. The panel description of a clamp meter and the detailed steps to take accurate measurements using the tool are explained in this article.
Clamp Meter
Multimeters
Perform the following steps for accurate measurement using a clamp meter:
Be clear about the specific parameters of the experiment, such as resolution and accuracy. Using a clamp meter with 0.3A resolution may not detect changes of 0.1A during measurement. The level of accuracy required for the measurement should also be taken into consideration. Even though clamp meters are reliable, the readings are not as accurate as those produced by digital multimeters. The accuracy of the device used will normally be expressed as a percentage in the manual.
Each clamp meter has its distinct symbols on the panel. It is advisable to go through the manual and understand the functionality of each symbol on the display. Figure 2 shows the panel description of a clamp meter.
Figure 2: Panel description of a clamp meter: Transformer trigger (A), select button (B), relative button (C), COM terminal (D), transformer jaw (E), function selection (F), display (G), data hold (H), and VΩ Input terminal (I)
The display will show the reading. The hold button can be selected to hold that reading on the screen, allowing you to remove the device and still have the reading on the display for recording purposes.
Perform the following steps to measure current using a clamp meter:
Figure 3: Measuring current using a clamp meter
Perform the following steps to measure voltage using a clamp meter:
Note: Switch off the power supply while using a clamp meter to measure the resistance of a circuit. Measuring resistance with the power on can damage the meter or the circuit.
Clamp Meter
Multimeters
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