Do affordable current clamp adaptors exists ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Rolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 05:16:37 pm
content: Just think with me, I want to do DC-A measurements with a clamp meter, say max 80A - 100A. I prefer to have it as an adapter, so it's connects to my multimeter and I can look at the display in a comfortable way (like in my car seat and turning on the ignition to measure the glow plug current). It does not have to do anything else but current. (DC is a must. AC would be nice) No display, no testleads, just a range selector and a zero button pleaseAre there any affordable clampadaptorsarround ? About max $100 ? Or do I have to make a bigger hole in my budget ?Thanks.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 06:28:49 pm
content: I own this one:https://www.amazon.com/Current-Probe-Clamp-0-60-Amps/dp/B00K0U1N5GIt appears to be rebadged under a few names, including "PDI CA-60".This model only goes up to 60A. There's a very similar model, the "PDI CA-600" that goes up to 600A, but with less resolution.This does work at DC, as well as at not-too-high frequency AC. In my experience, comparing it to a Fluke multimeter used in-line in Amps mode, over the range where the in-line meter works, it meets its specs for DC amps. It is not especially high precision.

author: technogeeky
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 08:04:52 pm
content: Quote from: AG6QR on August 30, 2016, 06:28:49 pmThere is also thePDI CA-400AandPDI CA-400D. I bought the PDI CA-400D it when it was $85, and I might return it. It seems to be more noisy than the PDI CA-60, but I am not yet ready to say that for certain.I'll be posting a review of them both soon.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 09:11:52 pm
content: https://www.amazon.com/Hantek%C2%AE-Current-Clamp-kHz-20mA/dp/B00BLD6FB8/ref=pd_cp_0_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A8F30ZRXKQJVPD5YFTPA$50 in ebay...

author: Rolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2016, 05:17:14 pm
content: Thanks for the reply's. @technogeeky Would like to see your reviews on these two.I also did some further searching and found the Benning CC3, it's arround 150 euro here, this is a bit over the budget but for a "made in Germany" meter I might go that far. Not sure if I like the the curled fixed wire. I will look into this brand a bit more first.And then I found the Fluke 365, is a meter, no adaptor but has a detachable clamp, great idea. With this the clamp gets smaller and the display is readable in a comfortable position. But goes for 300 euro. That's to much for my use of the meter. I do like itWil add some pics of these two later.

author: omgfire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2016, 05:42:57 pm
content: Quote from: Rolo on August 31, 2016, 05:17:14 pmHave you looked at Kyoritsu Kew Mate 2000/2001/2012R, DER EE DE-19A/19B?http://www.tme.eu/en/details/kt2001/portable-digital-multimeters/kyoritsu/kewmate-2001/

author: Rolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 01:16:51 pm
content: Quote from: omgfire on August 31, 2016, 05:42:57 pmThanks for the tip, did not know these models. That DER EE DE-19A look nice, but having an open clamp has drawbacks on the sensitivity (read that on this forum), they will start giving results above 2A.Been thinking, I think a meter would do if it had a min/max hold function, this would add an extra meter to the bench, and make it more universal.

author: omgfire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 02:43:43 pm
content: Quote from: Rolo on September 03, 2016, 01:16:51 pmThat's the non-contact frequency counter you are talking about? You can measure frequency with leads on de-19a.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 03:24:00 pm
content: Quote from: Rolo on August 30, 2016, 05:16:37 pmComfort always costs extra.PS: Could you use a clamp with a simple min-max function? Clamp it, turn key, go back and look.

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2016, 07:38:58 pm
content: you could go and build it yourself, using one of these:http://www.lem.com/They have clamp style models, and you can get them at many distributors. You only need to add your power supply solution.