Function and How to Use Clamp Meter

Function and How to Use Clamp Meter; Clamp Meter are also called Clamp testers, Hook-on ampmeters, Clamp-on amperes-volt-ohmmeters, Snap-on volt-amperes-ohmmeters.

To check the electrical parts of the AC unit or refrigerator, we must use an clamp meter that has a volt and an ohmmeter. Every time we want to check the refrigerator for damage, out of 10 checks, 9 times it is a malfunction of the electrical part that must be checked with clamp meters. Clamp meters at this time are not so expensive anymore when compared to the price of other tools.

Clamp meters with volts and ohmmeters for measuring alternating current (AC) have the following scale:

AC Ampere   : 0 – 6/15/40/100/300 ampere

AC Volts        : 0 – 150/300/600 volts

Resistance   : 0 – 2000 ohms

Measuring amperes

Turn the ammeter scale on a high scale to keep the amperage being measured does not exceed the maximum scale of the ammeter. When the electric motor starts, the amperage increases to 5 or 6 times greater than the normal running time amperage (FLA). Open the mouth of the ampere pliers and insert only one of the wires, then the mouth of the clamp meters is closed again.

If the needle moves only slightly or points to a number that is difficult to read, then turn the dial on a smaller scale, until the ampere needle points to the center of the scale. In such a position, the value indicated by the amperage of the pliers is the most appropriate. It is very easy to use a digital type clamp tester. The numbers will be immediately visible in the viewer.

The cable being measured can be insulated or uninsulated. Only one cable is measured, do not measure two wires at the same time. Clamp meters work based on the magnetic field of the wire that has been inserted in its mouth.

If the two wires are inserted together into the mouth of the clamp meters, the magnetic fields of the two wires will cancel each other out, so that an ampere cannot be read.

Measuring voltage (Volt)

Insert the two red and black wires into the clamp meters. Turn the volt scale on a higher scale than the voltage you want to measure. Suppose to measure a voltage of 220 volts, the scale is rotated at 300 volts.

The two ends of the red and black wires are then attached to two wires that are not isolated from the electrical circuit to be measured, or inserted into both sockets to measure the voltage from the current source. The pointer will show the voltage, of the two wires being measured.

Measuring resistance (Ohms)

Before measuring resistance, don't forget to disconnect the electrical connection first. Insert the cable with the battery into the clamp meter. If the other end of the wire with the red wire is attached, the pointer on the scale should point to 0 ohms (no resistance). If the needle does not show 0 ohms, the needle pointer must be rotated until the needle is at 0. Only then can the ohmmeter be used.

Ohmmeter is widely used to measure the connection of wires in an electrical circuit. Measure the resistance of an electric motor, to find terminals C, S and R of an electric motor.

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