Have you ever had difficulty measuring the electric current flowing on a cable or electrical circuit? Are you worried about the dangers that might occur if you touch a high-powered cable? Do you want to know a more practical and efficient way to measure electric current without having to break the cable or electrical circuit?
If your answer is yes, then you need to know a measuring instrument called a clamp meter. A clamp meter is a measuring instrument that can measure the electric current flowing on a cable or electrical circuit without having to touch it or disconnect it. Clamp meters have a shape like pliers that can open and close their jaws to flank the cable or electrical circuit you want to measure.
Clamp meters work by using the principle of electromagnetic induction, which is a phenomenon in which an electric current flowing on a wire can generate a magnetic field around it. By flanking the cable or electrical circuit with a clamp meter, the jaw clamp meter will detect the magnetic field generated by the electric current and convert it into an electric current value that can be displayed on the clamp meter screen.
By using a clamp meter, you can measure electric current easily and safely, without having to disconnect cables or electrical circuits, without having to touch high-powered cables, and without having to worry about interference or measurement errors caused by contact or cable resistance. In addition, clamp meters can also measure varying electric currents, both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), with high accuracy.
Types of Clamp Meters and Their Functions
There are various types of clamp meters available on the market, with different specifications and features. Here are some types of clamp meters that are commonly used and their functions:
- Analog clamp meter: A clamp meter that uses a pointing needle and scale to display the value of electric current. Analog clamp meters are usually cheaper and simpler, but less accurate and sensitive, and difficult to read in low light conditions.
- Digital clamp meter: A clamp meter that uses an LCD screen to display the value of the electric current. Digital clamp meters are usually more expensive and complex, but are more accurate sensitive, and easy to read in diverse light conditions.
- AC clamp meter: A clamp meter that can only measure alternating current (AC). AC clamp meters usually have larger and stronger jaws and can measure large electric currents, up to thousands of amperes.
- DC clamp meter: A clamp meter that can only measure direct current (DC). DC clamp meters usually have smaller and weaker jaws, and can only measure small electric currents, up to a few amperes.
- AC/DC clamp meter: A clamp meter that can measure direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). AC / DC clamp meters usually have a button or switch to select the type of electric current you want to measure, and can measure electric current that varies, from a few milliamps to hundreds of amperes.
- Multifunctional clamp meter: A clamp meter that can not only measure electric current, but also measure other electrical quantities, such as voltage, resistance, frequency, capacitance, temperature, and others. Multifunction clamp meters usually have a connecting cable and measuring end that can be connected to the cable or electrical circuit you want to measure, and have a button or menu to select the desired measurement function.