Clamp Multimeter : How To Use For Dummies

Previously we discussed about how to use a normal multimeter. This guide, Clamp Multimeter How To Use For Dummies is an illustrated guide on measuring current on a wire of a gadget. We have explained the working principle and buying guide too. So we have three parts in next three parts under three sub headers – how to use, which to buy, how a clamp multimeter works. Clamp Multimeter has other names like current clamp, current probe, clamp-on ammeter etc as it used a pair of jaw which allow clamping around an electrical conductor to measure the current in a conductor without the need to make physical contact unlike a normal multimeter. Our clamp Multimeter how to use for dummies is for use a conventional electronic clamp multimeter, which are commonly sold on any online website. Most such clamp meters have most of the functions of a normal digital multimeter too.

 

Clamp Multimeter : How To Use For Dummies

 

First, the electrical appliance’s wire you are going to measure needs removal before from power source before applying the clamp. This step is for multiple reasons, one of them is – users are not electricians. The meter could be clamped around two or three conductor single-phase cables to provide a readout of the current flowing through the load with no need to separate the conductors. The wires which has double jackets, must be exposed to have only the wires (please see our illustration) – this particularly applicable for electrical appliance with higher wattage like microwave oven which commonly have a ground pin and the jacket of the wire is too thick and usually we can not separate the neutral wire. We need to clamp around the live wire. One need to set the dial selector on the clamp meter to the correct function and range, which is similar to a normal multimeter. Now, push the trigger to open the jaw and clamp it around the wire and close it. Thereafter connect the electrical appliance to a power source. The clamp should give a reading in seconds. Please read the manufacturer’s instruction booklet as the extra button names and functions can widely vary. Using the same clamp multimeter as normal digital multimeter with probes has no special matter than from a normal digital multimeter.

 

Clamp Multimeter : How To Buy

 

Although our principle for DIY work is buying cheap Made in China stuffs, that buying cheap trick is not great for the Clamp Multimeters. You can check the Amazon or other online website reviews. It is better to buy a standard company’s entry grade clamp multimeter as cost saving option.

 

Clamp Multimeter : How It Works

 

We are explaining like basic physics. Current clamp is a split ring of soft iron with coil wound on one or both halves forming a current transformer (CT). Transformer works only with AC voltage. We normally use meters which has capability to measure both AC and DC , which is a modification of the basics. There an effect named Hall effect, which talks about production of potential difference across an electrical conductor transverse to current in conductor and a magnetic field perpendicular to the current. When the clamp multimeter is ‘clamped’ on a conductor, the conductor acts as primary and the magnetic flux due to current flowing through the conductor cuts the secondary of current transformer. The current is converted to voltage using a converter and signal is fed to a micro controller and display circuit for the current reading.

There is Hall effect current sensor for our DIY electronics works. That is a separate matter.

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