Choosing a Fluke Clamp Meter

Getting the readings of the electric current can be a challenging task but it needn’t be with a Fluke clamp meter.

There are some measuring units that require you to cut wires open and connect them to the current measuring unit which is obviously highly risky. Regardless of whether you are seasoned in dealing with electricity or not, meters that require you to get into contact with live electric wires are extremely dangerous.

Luckily, you can use the fluke clamp meter in taking the measurements of the current. This is a state of the art device using a magnetic field in taking the current measurements. The fluke clamp meters have an advantage of having high accuracy as well as speed. The clamp is used in measuring AC current.

The fluke multimeters are indispensable for people dealing with current as they act like two meters in one. They help in measurement of current as well as resistance of AC current. To accomplish this task, you will need to turn on your multimeter and then use the clamp to help in taking the measurements.

Measuring With The Fluke Clamp Meter

The fluke clamp meter can also be used in measuring the current in the household dual wire lamp cord. After the clamp has been secured, light the lamp. Open the clamp and close it so that it can surround the power cord of the lamp. When taking the measurements, avoid pinching wires that that are taking current in opposite directions.

Cords with current that is flowing in different directions have conflicting magnetic fields hence will read zero current. The magnetic field in the two cords will cancel each other. The readings indicated by the fluke clamp meter will be the difference in current between the cords which is almost zero.

For effective use of the fluke clamp meter, take two parallel cords and let them have a difference of about a foot. For your safety, ensure the wires are insulated. This will avoid unnecessary accidents. A fluke scopemeter is also useful.

The last step in using the clamp meter involves connecting the unit to the power (in this case we are using a lamp). Connect the lamp to an extension on the wall. Turn it on and then secure the clamp meter on the extension of the conductor. The meter is supposed to give you an accurate current of between 5 and 1.5 amps since it will be surrounding only one conductor. Avoid taking measurements with the clamp meters on several cords simultaneously since they can distort the measurements.

You can choose your clamp meters among the fluke clamp meter 322; fluke clamp meter 337 and the fluke clamp meter 336. The wide range of fluke clamp meter models will ensure you get one which is tailored to suit your needs.