Low cost 10mV/mA DC current clamp probe/meter options? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ImnoDave
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2019, 01:46:46 pm
content: I've been looking around on the internet for such probes or meters, and i've come across a few. They all seem to cost 500$+.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kyoritsu-2500-DC-Milliamp-Process-Clamp-Meter-4-20mA-NEW/331107609259?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D56426%26meid%3Dcde56d05d15140079fad57e8e89b8866%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D263241859655%26itm%3D331107609259&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851https://www.aemc.com/products/current-probes/current-probe-k110I also had a look at what aliexpress is offering, and they have a bunch of 1mV/1mA probes but non with higher sensitivities than that. Basically what I am looking for is a 100-200$ probe/meter (preferably probe) that would be able to measure 0-20mA. Does anybody know of any good options?

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2019, 02:21:21 pm
content: I have exactly that AEMC K110 probe.If you notice, its output is via shrouded banana plugs, and thus intended for multimeter use. If you want to use it with a scope, you have to cut the shrouds to be able to attach a female banana to BNC adaptor.However, because of the high gain, the probe has a lot of white noise. DMMs average it nicely, but on scopes you'll see a fat trace. You will require to enable averaging on your digi-scope to obtain a nice trace.Overall it is a decent probe. There are not that many options for low current probes, unless you are planning to spend kilo dollars.

author: ImnoDave
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2019, 03:43:15 pm
content: Found this 2.5mV/mA DC probe:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-ETCR030D-DC-current-clamp-sensor-DC-leakage-current-the-DC-current-detection/32525941244.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.13.69035d652UwSvA&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_8_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_453_10084_454_10083_10103_10618_10304_10307_10820_10301_10821_537_536_10902,searchweb201603_57,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=46ddff9c-dcd7-4284-9380-5c43e6bcec5f-2&algo_pvid=46ddff9c-dcd7-4284-9380-5c43e6bcec5f&transAbTest=ae803_4Seems odd that it would have such a large hole.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2019, 04:45:27 pm
content: Quote from: schmitt trigger on February 20, 2019, 02:21:21 pmIf you use a MultiContact (MC) Adapter, you do not need to cut the shrouds.See attachmentsThese current probes by Chauvin Arnoux are great but just too slow.For pure DC signals, they are perfect!

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2019, 06:01:00 pm
content: I assume from your post you need a clamp but I was not sure if you needed to connect to a scope or what.The UT210E can read down to a mA but the BW is limited to a couple of KHz. Not sure what you need. I've shown where you can add a buffer to drive a scope. Like most DC clamps, it drifts around a bit but for $30, it's pretty hard to beat. I recently had a switch start to act up in one. This was after about a year of service.If you just need higher sensitivity, you may be able to add a few turns. I've modified a 210E to provide about 100KHz BW but to be honest, time would have been better spent on a new HP clamp for a few grand. Still, a fun problem to try and tackle.