Clamp on ammeter with peak hold function

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MiElectrician

Member
Location
mi
I need an ammeter with peak hold. I had a decent one but I spent last winter working outdoors and ruined mine so I'm looking for a cheap one because I won't use it at work, just on side jobs.
 
Yes on the Fluke 87

Yes on the Fluke 87

ATSman said:
If you own a Fluke 87 DMM you can buy a clamp-on CT that plugs in and use the peak hold
feature to measure the current inrush.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...67j0i131i67j0i131i20i264j0i20i264.dsEDhw30y_8
Click to expand...

I have 2 Fluke 87 Series meters. The Record Function is indispensible, and will catch min, max, and average values in different time resolutions if necessary.
Its one of the best HVACR functions to have on board.

I later bought a Fluke 376 strictly for the flex Current Loop attachment and also for DC amps. The 378 is the worst Fluke product I have ever experienced and I cannto recommend that one. While some of the keypad functions appear like the 87, they do not work or respond the same, and the loop attachment has a proprietary plug, so it cannot be used on the 87. Omega engineering has an identical looking loop that will fit the 87 and do the same job.
I have actually never owned a traditional style clamp meter, and after getting one for a specific job and seeing how poorly it performs, and also how akward it is to read on certain lines, I can see why.

The old 80i series current clamps were the best. While the new ones function they are a cheapened up version of what used to be a fine instrument. I once had a web link for a line of current probes that looked just like the original 80i series. To find that source would be golden.
 
General CM660 or the like.
Their "peak & hold" is the Inrush setting.
 
peak hold meter

peak hold meter

Do u use a cheap one at your work?
 
domnic said:
Do u use a cheap one at your work?
Click to expand...

in what context are you asking? cheap, as in cheaply made, or as in not so expensive.
most of today's cost diff is usually in features, and performance of the dial setting.
if its UL listed for the type of intended use, and it has the features needed, a $85 tool will do the same job as the $150 tool of other name.

one should also factor in durability. a work tool gets abused way more than a for-home use tool, hence when buying one should consider a few extra $$ in durability when comparing same features if its a "work" item that is expected to be used daily, dropped, thrown around, rides in a tool bag of wrenches and screwdrivers, etc etc etc.
 
Fluke 376.

I consider it cheap. But I base my purchases on how long I intend to own them versus the purchase price.
 
In my local we aren't required to buy an ammeter, just a voltage tester and a continuity tester. The contractor has to buy the ammeter. I'm using a Klein tester right now. I'm a bit bitter since I worked in horrible conditions at a marina or a waste water pumping station and then got laid off in the spring when all my tools were rusty or ruined.
I won't be bringing it to work.
I was looking at the ideal 61-763 but I'll check the fluke out first.
Thanks for all the replies
 
the Ideal 61-763 is a ~$200 meter. has the two readout screens, just not really sure if the bottom one would get any use.

but you did ask for not expensive, so perhaps you changed your price point?

did you look at the General Tools CM line. they have a decent amount of features, and performance is rather good for the price.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top