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The Clamp meter - An Essential aid

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Sid Kumar

Clothespin-shaped clamp metres are used to measure the current flowing through a live wire.

Measurement is based on magnetic fields generated by flowing currents in wires, which are detected by clamp metres.

Unlike multimeters, this device has the benefit of being able to measure the current without cutting the circuit being measured.

There are two types of clamp metres in general:

  • Models for calculating load current
  • Models for measuring leakage current

Other distinctions include whether the instrument measures direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC), as well as whether it employs mean value rectification or the RMS technique.

Normal AC circuits are measured using load current models. Some new clamp metre devices are capable of measuring both load and leakage current.

Clamp meter with flexible current probes can measure up to 3000A AC without difficulty.

Types of clamp meters

Clamp metres, often known as clamp-on ammeters or tong testers, are divided into three types or categories:

  • Clamp metres for current transformers (ac).
  • Clamp metres with the Hall Effect (ac and dc).
  • Clamp metres that are flexible (ac).

Despite their differences, they all use the same basic measurement methodology:

The metre calculates the vector sum of the currents flowing through a conductor by passing it through a probe (either the hard jaws incorporated into a clamp metre or the flexible coil of a clamp accessory).

Things to Avoid

When using a clamp metre, as with analogue and digital multimeters, there are a few safety considerations to keep in mind.

An unusually large current flowing to the clamp sensor of a clamp-on power metre, for example, could destroy the instrument if left connected after use.

Additionally, clamp metres should only be used to measure insulated wires and should not be clamped to naked conductors (although this depends on the specific current sensor in use).

Clamp metres are safe since they don't require cutting the wire being measured, but it's critical to operate them at or below the maximum specified terminal-to-ground voltage.

Safe use of clamp metres

Clamp metres are useful devices for measuring current and other parameters by clamping them around a wire that does not need to be severed.

They're simple to use and safe to use because all you have to do is clamp the instrument around a wire.

Nevertheless, if used incorrectly, these gadgets can be deadly. As a result, be sure to follow the guidelines and precautions in this article when selecting and using clamp metres to ensure safe use.

As previously said, clamp metres come in a range of versions that are tailored to specific uses, such as whether they're built to measure DC or AC current.

You must select an instrument based on your intended application.

Final Words:

So, this was all about Clamp meter and flexible current probe. Indeed, it is an essential aid to measure the current flowing.

If you want to measure current and other parameters then getting a proper clamp meter is necessary.

 

Author’s Bio:

Mehul is an eminent content writer who is well versed in drafting content that is related to clamp meter.

Not only this, but he has a good number of experience in writing content about the right gadgets people should choose for their homes and ways to keep updating technology.

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