This video demonstrates using a clamp type ammeter for measuring both typical AC and also DC from a solar panel. It shows the importance of measuring just one conductor at a time.
I just bought 2 of these units, returned the first one because I thought it was defective. Now thanks to this channel I find out that I was using it wrong - must measure one lead at a time because otherwise they cancel each other. I didn't find this bizarre how this critical detail was omitted from the other 6 channels I visited, and even the instruction manual. Thank you sir.
You just cleared up a bunch of conflicting info I've gathered from forum threads/internet searches, AND saved me from buying an inline amp meter for my RC plane projects. Thank you sir.
Thank you for this information, all my life I only owned the traditional 2 prong multimeter and it recently starts to fail on me. So looking for videos on how to use a clamp meter. This is very informative for a person who has NEVER used a clamp meter before.
I noticed that not all clamp meter have DC current measurement mode. I need one of this because I need to measure current out of my solar panel without breaking the wire. Or to measure other DC and AC current especially with mains voltage without cut the wire. The way DC current measurement works is, they use a hall sensor in there. The hall sensor detect how strong is the magnetic field produce by the wire. The higher the current, the stronger the magnetic field.
Great description/explanation on the tool. Thanks. I am trying to determine how long my 2 Group 31 house batteries should last on my boat while running equipment. I plan to use a tool like the one you used to total up the amps as I turn on the devices to see how much total amp draw I have. The batteries do not list an Amp Hour value so I'm a bit confused on how to calculate the time. I suppose I call interstate battery support to get an explanation from them. The batteries only list Cranking Amps (CA)1031 and Reserve Capacity (RC)200 minutes
Thanks for watching and your comment. Most batteries have an energy capacity rating in amp-hours abbreviated as Ah. Amp-hours is current in amps multiplied by time so how much current your battery can supply in a certain amount of time. Deep cycle batteries like most marine batteries are much better than a typical car battery for energy storage. Car or any engine starting batteries have to supply high current in a short amount of time compared to running various low current devices for a longer period of time. Make sure you don’t discharge your batteries down to a low voltage or they can be seriously degraded.
It's my understanding that the Craftsman you have is using the "Hall effect" to measure the Current. Apparently, only the Hall effect clamp ammeters will read DC current. Thanks for your video.
Thanks for your comment. If you can measure DC voltage you could measure the voltage drop across an accurately know resistance and calculate the current using Ohm’s Law as follows: E is voltage, I is current and R is resistance. E = I x R and I = E/R Sometimes electrical shunts are used to measure current using an accurately known very low resistance and measuring the voltage drop across the resistor. This is from Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunt_(electrical) An ammeter shunt allows the measurement of current values too large to be directly measured by a particular ammeter. In this case, a separate shunt, a resistor of very low but accurately known resistance, is placed in parallel with a voltmeter, so that virtually all of the current to be measured will flow through the shunt (provided the internal resistance of the voltmeter takes such a low portion of the current that it is negligible). The resistance is chosen so that the resultant voltage drop is measurable but low enough not to disrupt the circuit. The voltage across the shunt is proportional to the current flowing through it, and so the measured voltage can be scaled to directly display the current value.[2][3]
That was just to show that you get the same current reading either way. In the video I showed why it is important not to put more than one conductor inside the meter loop. Thanks for watching and your comment.
Thanks for watching. That is a good question. AC is going in both directions. I am not sure about trying to identify direction of Direct Current. There are methods like the right hand rule for magnetic field orientation based on direction of current flow. When I get a chance I will see if I can come up with a better answer for you.
definitely that amp meter shows you the direction of the flow....pretty much the same like when you measure the voltage on a baterry: it shows you the same voltage even when you swap the leads but it will show you negative sign before (i.e/ 1.5Vor -1.5V)@@anisotropicplus
I have a fluke 325 clamp meter i just wonder why the hell i get an initial value of negative .2 whenever i set it to dc current without clamping it yet to a dc wire
Thanks for watching and your question. Is there a way to zero the meter after changing modes? Try calling Fluke customer service if it continues to be a problem.
@@anisotropicplusi just figured it out just now haha. The reset and modes (AC/DC) are in the same button, unlike yours, mine requires holding further to reset to zero. Thanks for your response! Really appreciate sir
Try flipping from DC amps to AC amps on a given circuit; I'm wondering what the outcome will be. Will it show half as many amps if you have it set to DC and use it on an AC circuit and would the reciprocal be true? I would try it myself but I only have a clamp on AC only ammeter.
I just bought 2 of these units, returned the first one because I thought it was defective. Now thanks to this channel I find out that I was using it wrong - must measure one lead at a time because otherwise they cancel each other.
I didn't find this bizarre how this critical detail was omitted from the other 6 channels I visited, and even the instruction manual.
Thank you sir.
Thank you for your comment and good luck with your projects.
You just cleared up a bunch of conflicting info I've gathered from forum threads/internet searches, AND saved me from buying an inline amp meter for my RC plane projects. Thank you sir.
Thanks for watching and your comment.
Thank you for this information, all my life I only owned the traditional 2 prong multimeter and it recently starts to fail on me. So looking for videos on how to use a clamp meter. This is very informative for a person who has NEVER used a clamp meter before.
Thank you for your very nice comment. I appreciate you watching my video.
Amazing video, I bought one 2 days ago and your video was very educational! Thank you for teaching me.
Thanks for watching and your comment.
I noticed that not all clamp meter have DC current measurement mode. I need one of this because I need to measure current out of my solar panel without breaking the wire. Or to measure other DC and AC current especially with mains voltage without cut the wire. The way DC current measurement works is, they use a hall sensor in there. The hall sensor detect how strong is the magnetic field produce by the wire. The higher the current, the stronger the magnetic field.
Thanks for watching and your comment. Good luck with your project.
Great demonstration. Thanks
Thanks for watching and your comment.
You’re such a good teacher
Thank you.
Great description/explanation on the tool. Thanks. I am trying to determine how long my 2 Group 31 house batteries should last on my boat while running equipment. I plan to use a tool like the one you used to total up the amps as I turn on the devices to see how much total amp draw I have. The batteries do not list an Amp Hour value so I'm a bit confused on how to calculate the time. I suppose I call interstate battery support to get an explanation from them. The batteries only list Cranking Amps (CA)1031 and Reserve Capacity (RC)200 minutes
Thanks for watching and your comment. Most batteries have an energy capacity rating in amp-hours abbreviated as Ah. Amp-hours is current in amps multiplied by time so how much current your battery can supply in a certain amount of time. Deep cycle batteries like most marine batteries are much better than a typical car battery for energy storage. Car or any engine starting batteries have to supply high current in a short amount of time compared to running various low current devices for a longer period of time. Make sure you don’t discharge your batteries down to a low voltage or they can be seriously degraded.
It's my understanding that the Craftsman you have is using the "Hall effect" to measure the Current. Apparently, only the Hall effect clamp ammeters will read DC current. Thanks for your video.
Thanks for watching and your comment.
sir oh my u just give me some the answer i been looking for for a long timee
Thanks for watching and your comment.
I need to measure dc amps on a circuit, my clamp meter only has ac amps setting, could it be done???? Good video
Thanks for your comment. If you can measure DC voltage you could measure the voltage drop across an accurately know resistance and calculate the current using Ohm’s Law as follows: E is voltage, I is current and R is resistance. E = I x R and I = E/R Sometimes electrical shunts are used to measure current using an accurately known very low resistance and measuring the voltage drop across the resistor.
This is from Wikipedia en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunt_(electrical)
An ammeter shunt allows the measurement of current values too large to be directly measured by a particular ammeter. In this case, a separate shunt, a resistor of very low but accurately known resistance, is placed in parallel with a voltmeter, so that virtually all of the current to be measured will flow through the shunt (provided the internal resistance of the voltmeter takes such a low portion of the current that it is negligible). The resistance is chosen so that the resultant voltage drop is measurable but low enough not to disrupt the circuit. The voltage across the shunt is proportional to the current flowing through it, and so the measured voltage can be scaled to directly display the current value.[2][3]
Please can you explain about why you turn the clamp jaws around? and compare readings
That was just to show that you get the same current reading either way. In the video I showed why it is important not to put more than one conductor inside the meter loop. Thanks for watching and your comment.
can i know the direction of current by seeing negative sign before amps?
Thanks for watching. That is a good question. AC is going in both directions. I am not sure about trying to identify direction of Direct Current. There are methods like the right hand rule for magnetic field orientation based on direction of current flow. When I get a chance I will see if I can come up with a better answer for you.
definitely that amp meter shows you the direction of the flow....pretty much the same like when you measure the voltage on a baterry: it shows you the same voltage even when you swap the leads but it will show you negative sign before (i.e/ 1.5Vor -1.5V)@@anisotropicplus
@@gabrielaldea3868ok, thanks for your reply.
I have a fluke 325 clamp meter i just wonder why the hell i get an initial value of negative .2 whenever i set it to dc current without clamping it yet to a dc wire
Thanks for watching and your question. Is there a way to zero the meter after changing modes? Try calling Fluke customer service if it continues to be a problem.
@@anisotropicplusi just figured it out just now haha. The reset and modes (AC/DC) are in the same button, unlike yours, mine requires holding further to reset to zero. Thanks for your response! Really appreciate sir
Try flipping from DC amps to AC amps on a given circuit; I'm wondering what the outcome will be. Will it show half as many amps if you have it set to DC and use it on an AC circuit and would the reciprocal be true? I would try it myself but I only have a clamp on AC only ammeter.
Thanks for your comment and question.
Lol did you try?
@@MCMole Inquiring minds want to know.
The meter did read 5.4A DC while your little gadget showed 5.77A DC. What is the stated accuracy of both devices please.
Is it raining there?
Not now.
Someone was using the restroom
Thank your Sir.
Thanks for watching and your comment.
Well, now I got to pee.
Sorry, but thanks for watching.