False reading

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Dsg319

Dsg319

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Location
West Virginia
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Wv Master “lectrician”
Any idea what would cause this crazy high reading on two different meters. My dad was curious about my moms Christmas lights and how much current they were drawing.

I got this reading on two different meters, something can’t be right. I also checked amperage on a circuit with a known current and meter read true..

The Christmas lighting circuit is on a 20amp circuit on an outside gfci outlet. Im stumped!
 

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It’s a Klein line splitter, maybe the problems within it?. I was going to get a reading from the breaker panel so I wouldn’t hAve to use the line splitter,but it’s to much to get into for me tonight.
 
ptonsparky said:
Looks like you have that looped thru a multiplier for current readings.
Click to expand...
I had one of those many years ago, had two windows, one x1, the other x10. It had a plug/receptacle back to back with a cord to the CT windows. Bought it at Radio Shack. Haven’t seen it in years, probably buried in a goodie box somewhere.
 
ptonsparky said:
Looks like you have that looped thru a multiplier for current readings.
Click to expand...
I’ve got to admit I feel really really. Blonde Hahaha it’s just dawned on me after reading your message and went and took a look at the back of the splitter and it says x10!haha problem solved.. thanks
 
hillbilly1 said:
Yep, probably this one?
www.zoro.com

Klein Tools Line Splitter 10x 69409 | Zoro

Order Klein Tools Line Splitter 10x, 69409 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
www.zoro.com www.zoro.com
Click to expand...
Yep! Just realized it multiplies true measurements x10. It all makes sense now haha. Thanks for the quick responses everyone was bout to drive me nuts.
 
I just double checked mine and on both sides it says and reads x10. I know mine is a few years old idk if that have anything to do with it. Do you know what the purpose is of multiplying it by 10? Only thing I can think of is getting really small measurements and than doing the math.
 
Dsg319 said:
Thanks. Learn something new everyday haha!
Click to expand...
Well, now that that issue is cleared up, if the Xmas lights are LED the amp reading may not be much help in computing the operating cost as LEDs are not likely anywhere near unity PF. Going to need a watt meter or at least a PF meter and do the math from there.
 
texie said:
Well, now that that issue is cleared up, if the Xmas lights are LED the amp reading may not be much help in computing the operating cost as LEDs are not likely anywhere near unity PF. Going to need a watt meter or at least a PF meter and do the math from there.
Click to expand...
I wasn’t really looking for watthours or cost, he was just having some nuisance trips and was wondering if he had it bout maxed out lol.
 
If you have Square D breakers, and cheap LED’s, could be the in rush when they are first turned on. Had that issue with Targets cosmetic displays. Their solution was to run about six circuits for 10 amps total worth of lights. Could have changed the breakers to QOBHM’s
 
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