I have a RMS AC Clamp Meter and have set it to AC mode and Current mode as shown at http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=Q0966
When I open the clamp and place it around an AC (240 volt) power cable attached to a working 1000 watt heater, I get a reading of around 0.5A. Indeed when it's not clamped to anything I get a reading of around 0.5A. I was expecting a reading of around 4 amps. Apparently the unit has an accurate of +-(3.0% + 0.6A) at a range of 0 to 70A. The unit itself is rated to 600A and has a display that can show 0.000-400.0 A when in the 400A position.
Given the above detail, is my RMS AC clamp meter faulty?
2006-09-04 18:37:43 · 3 answers · asked by Richard Dale 4 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
I clamped the whole bundle rather than an individual wire... It looks as if I need to isolate the hot wire rather than around the whole 3 wire bundle.
2006-09-04 18:57:54 · update #1
Did you clamp all the wires or only the Hot (live) wire?
You cannot get a proper reading if you clamp the entire Live-Neutral-Ground bundle...
The reading is based on flux. The reading if flux of the live wire will be canceled out by the flux reading in the neutral wire as the current is flowing in a different direction.
2006-09-04 18:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are attempting to get a reading from the 3 wire lead feeding the heater, you can't do that. You can only "clamp" one lead. Makes no difference if it is the white or black lead, but when you clamp the cable with all three wires in it you get a reading of algebraic zero.
2006-09-04 19:02:32 · answer #2 · answered by Dusty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fluke are probable the diverse perfect meters on the marketplace.. yet, in case you desire a clamp meter that'll degree DC amps, then be arranged to fork out somewhat extra funds. they're often lots greater high priced than an AC clamp meter. somebody surprising me if i'm incorrect, yet you may not actually degree the impedance of a sub-woofer with a multimeter. you ought to do it with the aid of diverse values and calculations via fact impedance and resistance are comparable, yet in addition fullyyt diverse issues. I take it that the 3820 you reported ability 3820wRMS @ 1ohm. (that's lots of bass!) So, if so, you will commonly desire a meter this is comfortable with measuring around 270Amps.
2016-12-14 18:27:12 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋