Example of Using a Clamp Meter to Measure Electric Current
Here is an example of using a clamp meter to measure electric current in some cases:
- Case 1: You want to measure the electrical current flowing on the wires connected to the outlet in your home. You use an AC clamp meter that can measure electric current up to 200 amperes. You turn on the clamp meter and select the type of AC electric current. You open the jaw clamp meter and place it on one of the cables connected to the outlet. You close the jaw clamp meter and read the electric current value displayed on the clamp meter screen. For example, the displayed electric current value is 5 amperes. You record the measured value of the electric current. You remove the jaw clamp meter from the measured cable and turn off the clamp meter.
- Case 2: You want to measure the electric current flowing in an electrical circuit consisting of a battery, resistors, and LEDs. You use a DC clamp meter that can measure electric current up to 10 amperes. You turn on the clamp meter and select the type of DC electric current. You open the jaws of the clamp meter and place it on one of the wires that connects the battery to the resistor. You close the jaw clamp meter and read the electric current value displayed on the clamp meter screen. For example, the displayed electric current value is 0.5 amperes. You record the measured value of the electric current. You remove the jaw clamp meter from the measured wire and turn off the clamp meter.
- Case 3: You want to measure the electric current flowing in the electric motor used to drive the water pump. You use an AC/DC Clamp meter that can measure electric current up to 600 amperes. You turn on the clamp meter and select the type of AC electric current. You open the jaws of the clamp meter and place it on one of the wires that connects the electric motor to the power source. You close the jaw clamp meter and read the electric current value displayed on the clamp meter screen. For example, the displayed electric current value is 50 amperes. You record the measured value of the electric current. You remove the jaw clamp meter from the measured cable and turn off the clamp meter.
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Conclusion
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 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.