Clamp on amp meter reads cord

[GG]

Someone told me they have a meter where they work with computers that reads the amp draw on a cord. Does anyone know if such a meter exists and how it works? A "normal" meter like mine would read 0 amps if you tried to take an amp reading on say a microwave cord.

 

[480sparky]

It reads zero because you are taking an amp reading of not only the current flowing through the hot (ungrounded) conductor, but the equal but opposite flow through the neutral (grounded) conductor. They will cancel each other out.

You need to seperate them to get an accurate reading.

 

[LarryFine]

There are also plug-in devices that show power usage.

It reads zero because you are taking an amp reading of not only the current flowing through the hot (ungrounded) conductor, but the equal but opposite flow through the neutral (grounded) conductor. They will cancel each other out.

Which shows why all conductors of a circuit need to be run together when in metal raceways.

 

[GG]

It reads zero because you are taking an amp reading of not only the current flowing through the hot (ungrounded) conductor, but the equal but opposite flow through the neutral (grounded) conductor. They will cancel each other out.

You need to seperate them to get an accurate reading.

I realize this and why it reads 0. This person said they make a clamp on meter that will read the amperage by somehow cancelling one of the lines out. I have no need for one, I just wanted to know if such a meter existed and how it was able to cancel 1 of the legs out to get an amp reading,

 

[TOOL_5150]

Im not sure how a meter with 1 coil could do that. I have never heard of any.

~Matt

 

[zbang]

I remember seeing a 'clamp-on' ampmeter that used three or four Hall effect sensors and could figure out the current in each conductor. Too bad I can't remember who made it.

 

[steved]

Megger makes a clamp-on meter that is supposed to work without splitting out the individual wires from a cable.

 

[1793]

You might want to give this a look see Reliance.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

You can solve the problem fo $5 . buy a short 3 foot extension cord and split the wires apart. Why buy another meter for something so simple

 

[1793]

You can solve the problem fo $5 . buy a short 3 foot extension cord and split the wires apart. Why buy another meter for something so simple

So simple its ingenious!!

 

[480sparky]

So simple its ingenious!!

Just don't let OSHA see it.

 

[brian john]

http://www.megger.com/us/products/ProductDetails.php?ID=656&Description=amp meter


Like this, I have the older model.

 

[e57]

You can solve the problem fo $5 . buy a short 3 foot extension cord and split the wires apart. Why buy another meter for something so simple

Open the box and do one at a time off of a loose device...

 

[S'mise]

cheapskates think alike

cheapskates think alike

I'm with with Jim. You can make one up that does the exact same thing, in the amount of time it takes to open the box and separate the wires. The only advantage with the model with the square holes, might be it would hold your clamp-on more upright. ?

 

[zbang]

buy a short 3 foot extension cord and split the wires apart. Why buy another meter for something so simple

Doesn't work so well on the 6/4 SO I use for temp power (and not at $30+ per connector). Also doesn't work so well when you can't interrupt the load. But you already knew that.

 

[hurk27]

I have one like this, but it says Amp Probe on it, it came with my Amp Probe, but I have seen them around at one of the Big Box Stores, wasn't to expensive.

 

[LarryFine]

I have one like this, but it says Amp Probe on it, it came with my Amp Probe, but I have seen them around at one of the Big Box Stores, wasn't to expensive.

I wonder if the instructions specify to be used only with Amprobe meters, meaning that UL prohibits its use with any others?