Talk:Clamp meter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Minimum current

Is it true that clamp meters are limited to a minimum of about an amp? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mickpc (talk • contribs) .

No. The current probes (a form of clamp meter) supplied by Tektronix are rated down to 1 milliamp.

It is true, however, that conventional clamp meters aren't very sensitive. One way around that is to wrap multiple turns of wire through the clamp, increasing the sensitivity n times (where n is the number of turns). Adapter gadgets using this principle are available that provide a 10x multiplication. With my particular clamp meter (which has a most-sensitive range of 6A), this provides a full-scale sensitivity of 600mA.

Atlant 01:01, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bare wires

Does the clamp have to clamp to bare wires or is insulated OK? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Cjm@drmconsulting.com (talk • contribs) .

Clamp meters are designed for use with insulated wires. They respond to the magnetic field around the wire. They may not be sufficiently insulated for use with bare wires and may be dangerous to use with bare wires or too near bare terminals where insulated wires are connected. --C J Cowie 13:34, 26 September 2006 (UTC)

Most clamp meters have some insulation over the jaws, but you should check the documentation for your particular meter to see if it's rated to thereby allow use on bare conductors. And when the jaws are open, bare iron laminations are usually exposed.

Atlant 01:01, 27 September 2006 (UTC)