Clamp meter probe for DMM vs Clamp Meter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: madscientistii
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 06:55:46 pm
content: Hi Everyone,I'm stuck and could use some input. I'm looking at getting a Clamp Meter Probe for my DMM. Mastech MS3302 (2%+5 accuracy), fluke i400 (2% + 0.06A accuracy) OR Uni-T UT210E (2.5%+5 accuracy). I'm getting caught up in the accuracies way too much. (I like the UT202 with an ACA accuracy of 1.5% better, but its not TRMS and doesnt offer DCA.)The UT210E looks promising because it will read in the mA range with 2A selector AND it also reads DCA where as the other probes are only ACA. (and its not very expensive. It offers more capacitance than the AM-270 although not sure that matters a whole lot.)(also its 2000 count,)The other two get the job done, but they don't do DCA and I'm not sure how well they will read mA. Isn't that depending on the resolution of the DMM at that point?Am I making too big a deal in my head? What does the community do or choose? Is the accuracy of .5% more that big of a deal or something to be concerned?My application ranges from household level AC information, to automotive information, to hobby electronics, micro processors, etc.Many thanks in advance.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 08:14:29 pm
content: You can never have enough multimeters!IMHO, you would be better served to have a dedicated clamp meter. I have a UT211B here for review and I can recommend it as doing a very good job on low currents.

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2015, 10:38:38 pm
content: A high count number of a current clamp doesn't give you that much of an advantage, because of the low accuracy. Also, Measuring DCA is imprecise with low currents because drift sets in after a couple of seconds, or if there's movement of the meter.My point is, clamp meters are about the convenience of not having to break a circuit, or measuring larger currents without much effort. They're really not about precision. If you're trying to go voltnut on them, you'll be frustrated.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 07:36:21 am
content: This one doesn't look half bad:The big advantage of having a separate clamp probe is that you can also hook it up to a scope. Can't do that with a clamp meter.

author: TMM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 12:21:04 pm
content: Yeah pretty much nothing is accurate down in the mA range for DC. Stray DC magnetic fields will ruin your day - pretty much if you move the clamp even 1cm you will have to null the DC offset again to achieve sub-10mA accuracy.I've got a Hantek CC-65, looks and feels like a toy but it is great for general oscilloscope use. I can't comment on it's absolute accuracy as i've honestly never tested it, since I only use it for 'ball-parking' signals on a scope where +/-10% absolute accuracy is fine.If your main use is going to be clamping low current electronics then a clamp probe will probably be more convenient if only for the fact that the clamp itself is smaller so it won't get in the way and you don't have to worry about orienting it so you can see the display. A clamp meter isn't going to be very useful for a circuit that is drawing a pulsed current. A clamp probe and scope is ideal, but even a clamp probe and a multimeter which has a min/max/peak function will be more useful than a cheap clamp meter in that scenario. The bandwidth of cheap clamp meters is usually pretty terrible since they are only expected to be used on DC and AC mains. The Hantek CC-65 has 20kHz BW which is actually pretty good for the money.Only disadvantage i can think of is extra wires and equipment on your bench, and another set of batteries to go flat.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 01:13:04 pm
content: Quote from: madscientistii on September 02, 2015, 06:55:46 pmI have this current clamp its OK it can be accurate enough. It good for looking at fuel injectors, sensors, parasitic drain.I do some tests on its accuracy and post some pictures. I also have a CC65 the problem i find with this is the clamps a bit to big. Especially when trying toClamp the wires on fuel injectors.The cp-06 is much better in this respect.I did post some pictures in the forum a while back, showing how bad the soldering is on the CP-06. I got this clamp Meter for 50 pounds I thinks its more than that now.R_G_B

author: doktori
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 01:45:46 pm
content: A dedicated lab quality meter is the old HP428B. Vacuum tube & analog it reads DC from 1 ma full scale to 10 A full scale. Very steady and accurate readings without the constant zero adjusting.If buying one get it WITH the probe (00428-62101), the probe is the *rare* part.Not exactly what you asked about as this is a dedicated bench DC only meter.I also have a CP-06, handy but not near as accurate as the HP.

author: thefamilyman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 04:17:22 pm
content: I use a Fluke 325, its my most used meter out on the field.Having a clamp meter when troubleshooting machinery is by far more useful than just a DMM.Next meter I will buy is the Fluke 376, the higher CAT rating and 1000A is useful for the large generators that we sell.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2015, 07:45:06 pm
content: Here are some tests i did with the CP-06 current clamp excuse the crappy camera images.R_G_B

author: madscientistii
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 04, 2015, 03:43:25 am
content: Wow, thank you everyone for the great info. It's a big help.So clamps (probe or dedicated) are mainly for estimates unless in a lab setting, correct? So the accuracy is really relative then?Would a DMM with the min/max record setting be able to catch a inrush or surge pulse? Let's move the convo for amps above 1A.Do most users just have a dedicated clamp meter vs a clamp probe?Seems like there would be advantages to using the DMM functions with the probe vs a higher end dedicated clamp, yes? (Price wise with a cheap clamp that is)