Clamp Meters anyviews on this one?

xeitosaphil said:
Trying to resolve a problem at present and wondered if this meter was any good?

It’s not the cheapest I could find, but it is not in the category of Fluke or Kew meters either which are in the hundreds of pounds bracket due to their accuracy and build quality?

Has anyone any experience of them, good or bad?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/dc-ac-current-clamp-multimeter-629713
Click to expand...

I have a new unused one if you want it for £18 delivered
KGrHqNhMFCwfIm0RtBQ0Yb4gFg48_78_zpsd1196307.jpg
 
I'm sure it will do most things but the one thing that is missing is that it does not measure capacitance. May not be important for dc circuits on a boat but if ever you want to test a single phase electric motor you'll need that function. Otherwise should be good.
 
xeitosaphil said:
Trying to resolve a problem at present and wondered if this meter was any good?

It’s not the cheapest I could find, but it is not in the category of Fluke or Kew meters either which are in the hundreds of pounds bracket due to their accuracy and build quality?

Has anyone any experience of them, good or bad?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/dc-ac-current-clamp-multimeter-629713
Click to expand...

I have a tecpel which looks identical, same specs, maybe that one is rebranded?. If so it's very good, great tool to have onboard.
 
Generally cheap test equipment can be OK for DIY work where the exact accuracy, stability and spec of the meter isn't important. There are a few complications with AC measurements which probably don't matter for a boat owner. In all probably fine for what you want it for. I would suggest making a few comparative tests on current and voltage with a known good meter as it's not unknown for readings to be badly out on cheap meters though.
 
Conachair said:
I have a tecpel which looks identical, same specs, maybe that one is rebranded?. If so it's very good, great tool to have onboard.
Click to expand...

Thanks GraemeS and Conachair for your comments, re-assuring to hear.

As my knowledge of electric is somewhat limited, I think it will be ok for most things I want it for.

Yes I think it is probably a rebranded version of the same item, I expect much of the stuff available these days by electronic retailers, is probably all made by the same manufacturer. There seems to be an awful lot of stuff that looks the same but with different labels on them.
 
savageseadog said:
Generally cheap test equipment can be OK for DIY work where the exact accuracy, stability and spec of the meter isn't important. There are a few complications with AC measurements which probably don't matter for a boat owner. In all probably fine for what you want it for. I would suggest making a few comparative tests on current and voltage with a known good meter as it's not unknown for readings to be badly out on cheap meters though.
Click to expand...

+1
I bought a really cheap clamp meter for about £28 and wasn't expecting too much. I checked it wrt my main multi-meter on the boat and it seemed reasonably accurate, good enough for my needs. The main use was to measure AC & DC currents without breaking into circuits and only interested in fairly large currents. It does flicker around when clamped but I don't care much if it's reading 10-40A and flicking up/down by 0.1 - 0.2A.

Should be fine if you are just using the clamp function to estimate alternator or charger output and AC current draw on mains items.

I tried to look up the model on rapidonline.com site but it has been discontinued (I seem to remember it was a clearence item, hence reduced price).
 
Last edited:
savageseadog said:
Generally cheap test equipment can be OK for DIY work where the exact accuracy, stability and spec of the meter isn't important. There are a few complications with AC measurements which probably don't matter for a boat owner. In all probably fine for what you want it for. I would suggest making a few comparative tests on current and voltage with a known good meter as it's not unknown for readings to be badly out on cheap meters though.
Click to expand...

Thanks savageseadog for your comments and concerns, I take on board what you are saying and if it was something I would use in my capacity of my work, and I had the full knowledge of how to use it correctly I would no doubt buy the best, but for my limited use I think it wil be fine.

Just needed a little reassurance that it would do the job and was going to last a little longer than a week.
 
xeitosaphil said:
Thanks GraemeS and Conachair for your comments, re-assuring to hear.

As my knowledge of electric is somewhat limited, I think it will be ok for most things I want it for.

Yes I think it is probably a rebranded version of the same item, I expect much of the stuff available these days by electronic retailers, is probably all made by the same manufacturer. There seems to be an awful lot of stuff that looks the same but with different labels on them.
Click to expand...

I checked the dc current with a couple of other (uncalibrated) sources, seemed pretty accurate down to 0.1A. And lasting well :)
 
I have bought exactly the same model.
It's mainly to check discharge and charging rates on the boat.
Testing it on the car and on mains AC voltage and current seems refectly ok for my needs.

Note , it only works with one current carrying wire in the loop. You don't see anything if you put it around say a mains two core lead
 
jakeroyd said:
I have bought exactly the same model.
It's mainly to check discharge and charging rates on the boat.
Testing it on the car and on mains AC voltage and current seems refectly ok for my needs.

Note , it only works with one current carrying wire in the loop. You don't see anything if you put it around say a mains two core lead
Click to expand...

Thanks jake, Now off to Exeter get one. Thanks for everybodies comments- Philip
 
davidpbo said:
I was not aware (without really thinking about it) that a clamp on meter could measure DC current. I had always assumed that they worked as the secondary of a transformer and would only work on A.C. Am I wrong in thinking this?
Click to expand...

Yes clamp meters are available, as in the above links, that will measure DC current
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top