The technology related to clamp meters has recently changed to address the requirements of the industry. The latest AC/DC clamp meters come with many additional features
By Sneha Ambastha
Today, every section of the electronics industry has been affected by technology changes, and even a small testing device such as a clamp meter has been impacted by these.
Enabled with the capability to measure current, a clamp meter has become an essential testing tool that can be used at any point of an electrical system, without disconnecting it from the mains. It can even measure the current around a connected cable or of a wire, just by clamping the device around the wire or cable.
Based on its application, a clamp meter can be categorised into two types – a load current measurement clamp meter and a leakage current measurement clamp meter. These devices basically use a sensor for measurements and follow the principle of mutual induction. The design of a clamp meter decides what application it can be used for, and each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages. Currently, the increased functionality of these devices includes highly accelerated life test/stress screening capabilities with a solar simulation chamber, as well as a mechanical testing solution offering shock-and-bump test systems, vibration systems and drop systems. The size of these clamp meters has also decreased, particularly of those with a hybrid design for field operations.
Listed below are a few recently launched clamp meters
Model: PM33a, Brand: Sanwa, Manufacturer: Sanwa Electric Instrument Co. Ltd
The PM33a is a recently launched hybrid multimeter-cum-clamp meter from Sanwa. This is a pocket-sized digital meter weighing only 160g, which makes it easy to carry in the field or on the shop floor. It can measure both AC and DC currents up to 100A DC. It has a thin U-shaped current sensor of approximately 7mm to measure current at angles of 0 degrees and 180 degrees.
Key features
- Has the capability to measure relative values
- Has a clamp sensor that is designed to measure the weak current circuits (CAT-II 600V, CAT-III 300V)
- Holds the maximum and minimum data in memory while displaying the current measurement values
- Capable of turning off power and display automatically in the absence of any switch or button operation for about 30 minutes after the power has been turned on
Contact: Ph: +91-11-47002024 to 27, [email protected], www.advancetech.co.in
Indian distributor: Advance Tech Services Pvt Ltd
Models: CM4371 and CM4373, Brand: Hioki, Manufacturer: Hioki E.E. Corporation
CM4371 and CM4373 are AC/DC clamp meters from Hioki, which are capable of measuring multiple functions such as current, voltage, resistance, frequency and DC power. The company claims that these clamp meters have a strong current sensor and a broad operating temperature range that makes them suitable for even harsh conditions. The basic use of these clamp meters is to inspect electrical and solar power equipment during maintenance and in the development, repair, and maintenance of electric vehicles.
Key features
- Can automatically detect if the current being measured is AC or DC
- Capable of measuring and displaying RMS and maximum wave height values simultaneously for inrush currents
- Have an extended warranty of up to 30,000 open/close cycles (up from 10,000 in legacy models) to increase the lifetime of the instrument
- Have been designed to deliver enhanced operability and convenience to customers
Contact: Ph: +91 731 4020081/4020082, [email protected], www.hindelec.com
Indian branch: Hind Electronika India Pvt Ltd
Model: U1210 series, Brand: Keysight, Manufacturer: Keysight Technologies Inc.
The U1210 series is a recently launched handheld clamp meter range with the functionality of multimeters. The devices come with optional Bluetooth connectivity that allow them to easily monitor measurements and log data up to a range of 10 metres, across all Android devices. This makes them suitable for a broad range of testing applications such as AC current (ACA), DC voltage (DCV), AC voltage (ACV), resistance (OHM), audible continuity, diode and frequency. This series of meters is also capable of providing auto-ranging measurements of built-in peak hold for in-rush current, and measurements of temperature and capacitance with a large backlit display and one-hand operation.
Key features
- Has a large clamp opening of 52mm with high measurement capability of up to 1000A for AC, DC or AC+DC
- Comes with a CAT III 1000V/CAT IV 600V safety rating and Bluetooth wireless connectivity option (through U1177A infrared (IR)-to-Bluetooth adapter)
- Includes a fully-featured digital multimeter (DMM) with resistance, capacitance, frequency and temperature functions
- Capable of measuring current as low as 0.01mA in dual mode – manual and auto
- Has a large dual display with minimum and maximum recording capabilities
Contact: Ph: 0124-229-2010, [email protected], www.keysight.com
Indian branch: Keysight Technologies India Pvt Ltd
Model: Testo 770, Brand: Testo, Manufacturer: Testo SE & Co, KgaA
Launched in the third quarter of 2016, the Testo 770 clamp meter is backed by the latest German technology and is ideal for the maintenance of HVAC/R applications. This clamp meter is user-friendly and offers a high level of safety. It has a range of features along with a unique characteristic—a grab mechanism for easy and safe work at tight measuring points.
Key features
- Each meter can measure AC and DC current, AC and DC voltage and TRMS values
- Capable of temperature measurement from -30ºC to +500ºC for K-type thermocouple
- Can also measure starting current, kick or inrush current, along with instantaneous power
- Can be connected to the Testo SMART Probes apps via Bluetooth
- It has passed all the tests related to CAT-III and CAT-IV, and its applicable standards are EN-61010-1 and IEC-61378
Contact: Ph: +91 20 6560 0203, [email protected], www.testo.in
Indian branch: Testo India Pvt Ltd
Model: FLIR CM174, Brand: FLIR, Manufacturer: FLIR Systems Inc.
The recently launched CM174 is an imaging 600A AC/DC clamp meter with a built-in thermal imager. It has an infrared guided measurement (IGM) capability, which allows engineers to view the problems that cannot be identified by a normal clamp meter. This device can help users confirm their findings with accurate amperage and voltage measurements, and centre-point temperature readings.
Key features
- Capable of precisely guiding users to the location of a potential electrical problem for the safe identification of dangerous and unknown problems
- Has a narrow jaw for greater accessibility
- Has a compact form factor and fits easily into a back pocket, providing users with thermal imaging capabilities wherever they go
Contact: Ph: +91-11-45603555, [email protected], www.flir.in
Indian branch: FLIR Systems India Pvt Ltd
Models: 3280-10F and 3280-20F, Brand: Hioki, Manufacturer: Hioki E.E. Corporation
The 3280-10F and the 3280-20F are both AC clamp meters from Hioki, capable of mean value rectification or true RMS value measurements. Both have an optional AC flexible current sensor called the CT6280 to measure large currents of up to 4199A at confined locations. Both have a broad range of operating temperatures for use in varied environments.
Key features
- The 3280-10F is used for mean value rectification whereas the 3280-20F is used for true RMS measurement
- Both feature an expanded operating temperature range of -25°C to 65°C, compared to the company’s legacy products, for which the range was restricted to 0°C to 40°C
- Used for the maintenance and management of electrical equipment in buildings and at manufacturing plants, where current and voltage measurement is a necessity
Contact: Ph: +91 731 4020081 / 4020082, [email protected], www.hindelec.com
Indian branch: Hind Electronika India Pvt Ltd
Model: U1190 series, Brand: Keysight, Manufacturer: Keysight Technologies Inc.
The U1190 series of handheld clamp meters has a robust casing. They use technology that helps in detecting the non-contact voltage, safeguarding users from exposure to hot or live wires while taking measurements in dangerous working environments. A safety alert system beeps when these meters detect voltage.
Key features
- The series comes with a unique wire separator to separate wires from a bundle
- Has Vsense technology to perform non-contact voltage detection
- Comes with a built-in LED flashlight to illuminate the test area
- Capable of visual backlight alert and audible continuity indication in noisy environments
- Can measure current up to 600A along with tests related to continuity and diode
Contact: Ph: 0124-229-2010, [email protected], www.keysight.com
Indian branch: Keysight Technologies India Pvt Ltd
Model: R-2070C, Brand: MECO-G, Manufacturer: Goliya Impex
The recently introduced R-2070C is a digital clamp meter with the measurement capability of about 6000 counts. This small-sized device has a backlight LCD display and is capable of measuring true RMS AC current, AC/DC voltage, resistance, capacitance, temperature and frequency.
Key features
- Comes with some special functions like the hFE (ratio of the collector and base current) test, diode test, duty cycle and audible continuity tests
- Capable of non-contact voltage (NCV) detection, along with data hold and automatic power off as additional features
- It is useful in various industries, research institutes, for maintenance engineers, etc
- It works with two AAA size batteries
Contact: Ph: +91-22-24149657, 24179467, [email protected], [email protected], www.goliyainstruments.com
Model: 1080-TRMS and 1008-TRMS, Brand: MECO, Manufacturer: Meco Instruments Pvt Ltd
The 1080-TRMS and 1008-TRMS are MECO’s recently introduced 6000-count TRMS digital clamp meters. Both the clamp meters have 35/6 digits. Both have a basic accuracy for DC voltage of around ±0.5 per cent of rdg + 3dgt, and for AC voltage, the accuracy is ±0.8 per cent of rdg + 5dgt. For DC current, basic accuracy is ±0.8 per cent + 10dgt, and for AC current, it is ±2.0 per cent of rdg + 30dgt.
Key features
- Have a workable temperature limit of -20°C ~ 1000°C / 0°F ~ 1832°F
- Have auto/manual ranging capability with an LCD backlight and a wide jaw opening size of about 30mm
- Have some special features like auto power off, resistance, capacitance, frequency, duty cycle, temperature, diode testing, audible continuity, data hold, etc
- Work on one 9V battery and have a battery life of about 200 hours, typically
Contact: Ph: +91-22-27673311-16, 27673300, [email protected], www.mecoinst.com
Model: 9999, Brand: Kusum-Meco, Manufacturer: Kusam Electrical Industries Limited
The model 9999 is a 1000A DC/AC clamp meter with true RMS current measurement capability that was launched recently. It is a combination of the company’s existing model with the inrush current measurement facility. It has the diode test and continuity test capabilities. It can be used for the troubleshooting of pulse width modulation (PWM) and for resistance, continuity, capacitance and frequency measurements even in noisy environments. For all such measurements, it has an input protection of up to 600V DC/AC RMS.
Key features
- Has a large 27mm LCD display for easy read-out
- Its crest factor is < = 3, and can measure AC/DC current up to 999.9A, AC/DC voltage up to 600V; has a frequency range of 10Hz to 400Hz, and operating temperature range of 40˚C to 1200˚C
- Has the auto power-off facility for increased battery life
- Takes synchronous measurements of inrush current to ascertain the true starting current for motors, breakers, etc
Contact: Ph: 022-24181649; 24124540, [email protected], [email protected], www.kusamelectrical.com / www.kusam-meco.co.in
wow, fantastic.Really very helpful for me. Keep it up, dear. But what do you think which brand is best for long time lasting and great accuracy? I think Fluke is the best one. Because of great accuracy and value is always spot on.