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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => AC Power and Grounding => Topic started by: (Brian) Frost on October 14, 2014, 04:28:58 AM

Title: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: (Brian) Frost on October 14, 2014, 04:28:58 AM
Looking for something that will be cost effective and do both ac and dc.  Im not going to use it hard but I would like it to not break either.  I dont know if this needs to cost $40 or $300... whats my biggest bang for the buck. 

Use: double check system pull during setup for generator loads, install work etc
Title: Re: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on October 14, 2014, 10:37:12 AM
Check out the Klein CL2000-bought one about a year ago and am very impressed with quality.  I was concerned about durability-I do a lot of industrial/ag work so its not always easy to treat a meter with TLC.  Will measure 400 amps ac/dc, has a built in NCTV and magnets to hold the meter so you can use the probes.  Iirc cost about $160.
Title: Re: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: Kyle Van Sandt on October 14, 2014, 12:21:42 PM
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-72-7226-/72-7226

My wife's is going on 5 years.  My old Tenma meter is going on 15 years.  Can't go wrong. 
Title: Re: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: Jeff Robinson on October 14, 2014, 12:23:51 PM
Looking for something that will be cost effective and do both ac and dc.  Im not going to use it hard but I would like it to not break either.  I dont know if this needs to cost $40 or $300... whats my biggest bang for the buck. 

Use: double check system pull during setup for generator loads, install work etc

Extech (FLIR) MA640 is also ~$160, 600A AC/DC true RMS, NCVD, resistance, capacitance, temperature and a couple other functions.

http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=26&prodid=517

Disclaimer, in stock at my day job (electrical distributor).

Jeff Robinson
Title: Re: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: Stephen Swaffer on October 14, 2014, 01:52:17 PM
I have always liked Tenma-for the money they make good equipment-do take into consideration overvoltage protection.  The Tenma is rated at Cat III 300 volts, Klein and (I presume the Extech) Cat III 600 volts.  So, if you never deal with 480 VAC, the Tenma would be fine-just make sure to keep that spec in mind as well.  It is often overlooked, but important!
Title: Re: Best clamp on ammeter for the buck
Post by: Jeff Bankston on October 14, 2014, 03:27:04 PM
i have a Fluke 336