Which dso current clamp to buy?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Chriss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 07:44:53 am
content: Hi!I need a cheap current clamp for my job and dso.Nothing accurate but more to see does the current is around the spec or not.Mostly used on car starter motor, car charging circuit and for checking of engine relative compression.I found these two clamps which are interesting to me:1. Hantek CC-6502. HoldPeak HP-605A which is actually the same as BTmeter BT-605A I assume.Does somebody have some experience with these tool's?Are they worth the money and could meet my requirement?Or maybe an advice for another company but also cheap one?Thank you.My best regards.

author: hfleming
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 03:07:07 pm
content: Picotech also has a range of current clamp probes :https://www.picotech.com/accessories/current-probes-clampsI have their TA167 200/2000A probe and am very happy with it.

author: Chriss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 03:30:15 pm
content: Thanks for reply.It is a bit out of my budget.I'm thinking to buy something up to $60- $70.When I saw that cheap BT clamp and compared to the Hantek technically of course I'm curios does the Hantek really worth the money?Is it a similar hardware like the BT?As I had bad experiences with Hantek product and support I don't trust them anymore.If somebody have any experience with my 2 mentioned tools I would really appreciate that.Thanks

author: myf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 05:14:01 pm
content: Hello,There is also the hantek "CC-65 AC-DC" at about $60 on amazon.frThis pagehttps://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33000093926.htmlcompares these two clamps.I already have a ut-210e clamp, but I can't log its measures.Have a nice day !F. from France.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 06:04:03 pm
content: Quote from: Chriss on December 14, 2019, 03:30:15 pmIn this price range you can't expect any support or warranty. So either pay a little and throw the device away if it turns out to be a dud or spend big bucks.

author: Chriss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2019, 08:04:55 pm
content: Does somebody have the tool's I prefere?Maybe looked inside? Just to see how it is built?Thanks.

author: threephase
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2019, 10:46:13 am
content: There is a video on YouTube on the use of the CC-650https://youtu.be/FfaY5ej1TOkand a teardown of the smaller CC-65https://youtu.be/gghixxu_NC8They may answer some of your questions.Kind regards

author: Chriss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2019, 11:27:07 am
content: Thank you very much.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 02:23:59 am
content: Checking the forums for feedback and this thread pops up,OP, if you still in the market for these el-cheapo DSO current clamps.?Just been down that road myself to use with my relative new DSO I got in the start of the year, and acquired 3 of these cheap current clamps, here over the last ½ year, They cost around 100 bucks in total, delivered.All cheapos from ChinaHantek CC65 /20khz / sub60A /38USDETCR007AD /100khz / sub60A /50USDHoldPeak 605A /?? / sub600A /15USDhttps://i.imgur.com/ZpmJqux.mp4The HantekCC65 got the cleanest waveform and easiest to trigger onETCR007AD got a +/- wheel on the side where you can align.. the Hantek got a degauss button, the 605A its align feature seems to be, focused on a DMM Holdpeak + other brands' often are promoting alongside 605A... also no variable-switch for different values/sensitivity.. recall its 1mv to 1A. and you need some wattage-potency behind the signal, so not good for low current (600A unit).here a test with a toaster HoldPeak 605A.https://i.imgur.com/yUrAeXz.mp4Here the Hantek CC65 below and the ETCR007AD on top.(the load is just an RGB LED USBlight changing colors, sub300mA)The Hantek CC65 is a lot cleaner, actually first thougth the ETCR007AD was faulty, sadly it looks like its the norm with this unithttps://i.imgur.com/Cj2B5AJ.mp4Will try to test them with an 18usd spot welder, and see if they can grasp that current waveform reliably.https://i.imgur.com/Nb84KkR.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/h9Vj9Qf.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/fY2kR6g.jpg

author: ADT123
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2020, 05:29:22 am
content: For the relative compression and charging circuit applications you mention 600A range should be OK. For starter motors however its fairly common to see >1000A peak at the start.Smaller capacity low compression engines when warm will usually be below 600A but if an engine is cold or high compression (most diesel engines) or large capacity then a 2000A clamp will be better.