We all have a common wish to buy a good quality item at quite a low price. The same is true for a clamp meter. This blog will tell you to buy the best budget clamp meter while keeping the quality high.
Whenever we talk about low-budget clamp meters, we end with low quality. And somehow these two come hand in hand.
Only a few good brands have focused this agenda on clamp meters. Yet, the market is flooded with these claims.
The problem is when we buy a low-priced clamp meter, it fails to perform the corresponding functions with efficiency.
Moreover, the life of these clamp meters is very short.
Then,
How to buy the best clamp meter at an affordable price?
Well, that is why you are reading this blog. Through this blog, we will suggest you the best clamp meters with a low budget good quality, and long life.
So stay with us until you get a good deal for yourself.
Choosing the best budget clamp meter
Once we choose a good and affordable clamp meter, we have the freedom to perform any available task.
Upon inspecting many brands, we concluded that AstroAI CM2KOR is the best budget clamp meter. It is not even affordable but also a good quality clamp meter. We and our colleagues trust this clamp meter for its long life. Moreover, when it comes to durability and sustainability, we found it fit.
How did we pick this clamp meter? If you ask. Well, we went through the following factors that define the best clamp meter at a low price.
a. Cost
Of course, we will be considering the price of a clamp meter. In previous blogs, we did not mention this factor because this was not our prime goal.
Still, we mentioned some good clamp meters with low cost.
Our target for low cost ranges from 20$ to 70$. Any clamp meter within this range will be considered a low-cost clamp meter in this blog.
b. Accuracy
After discussing the cost, we will now switch to the qualities and accuracy comes at the top in judging qualities.
We should not trade off on accuracy for low prices. After all, we need a good functioning clamp meter.
For this purpose, we proposed some well-known brands in our blog. All of them have low prices and high accuracy.
c. True RMS reading
A clamp meter without a True RMS reading is just not accurate. We need our reading to be accurate for all types of signals.
True RMS capability makes us able to read the sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal current with maximum efficiency.
Before buying a clamp meter, always check for this function. Its existence is so common in clamp meters that we simply forget about it.
d. Ratings
The current rating is the crucial factor for a clamp meter. We always consider this factor on top of everything.
Commonly, we suggest from 200 Amps to 600 Amps high range. However, it depends on your use and is limited for users to opt for.
We still recommend going for higher values.
Besides, voltage and resistance range is optional.
e. Safety
A safe clamp meter is always our priority. The safety is measured in Categories (CAT).
For common purposes, we recommend CAT-III safety. This category makes us safe working in the wiring extended from power meters.
The voltage value is debatable. For CAT-III safety, 300V to 600V is an amenable option.
f. Durability and Toughness
We should always opt for a physically tough and durable clamp meter. These features are very important for a clamp meter.
A clamp meter makes us free to work in harsh conditions only if it is physically tough. By toughness, we mean that it should sustain a minor drop. Commonly, the height for the drop is recommended to be 2m.
Our low-budget clamp meter must have the capability to work in every condition as the workspace of an electronics enthusiast is not limited.
Let’s switch to our selected clamp meter for a low price.
List of best budget clamp meter
We made a list of the best and low-budget clamp meters by keeping the above factors in check.
Let’s delve into it without further delay…
1. Our Selected: CM2KOR
As we went through our research, we found AstroAI CM2KOR(Amazon link) a low-budget and good clamp meter.
Besides its low-budget stature, it is an accurate and durable clamp meter. It has all the properties of an ideal clamp meter.
Let’s study further about its qualities…
The Good
It smoothly lies in our budget plan for a low-cost clamp meter. The current price of this clamp meter is 24$. But it fluctuates between 20$ to 30$. Hence we can say that this price is quite reasonable as compared to its competitors.
The safety of CAT-III (600V) makes us comfortable in reading. With this level of safety, we feel safe while using it. Besides, its double insulation and protection from overload and overvoltage make it the best clamp meter.
The range of 400Amps is quite satisfactory. Through this range, we get more freedom to take reading because this value is more than enough for our uses. At this cost, we can comfortably work in wiring.
This model is supplied with other additional functions. We can measure voltage, capacitance, resistance, and test diode through it. Moreover, Live wire and NCV tests can also be performed.
The clamp jaw opening is quite large comparatively. We can open the jaw to several centimeters for measuring the current. Moreover, the jaw is smooth and good for congested places.
We found it a user-friendly clamp meter. We found it a very good and addictive clamp meter. We can hold it smoothly, the knob rotates by holding the hand’s thumb, the display is large, minimum and maximum values are shown, and the backlight display data at night.
Its accuracy is impressive. Besides its common reading, true RMS makes reading more accurate for different types of signals. The built-in low pass filter also boosts the accuracy.
We found it durable and physically tough. An extra layer of insulation helps to increase its toughness. This model is durable and amenable to many harsh conditions.
The Bad
We are sad to report that we can only measure AC through this clamp meter. It does not have the facility to measure DC. Although we can measure both AC/DC voltages.
This non-availability limited the function of this clamp meter only to AC wiring and circuits. We need to pick another instrument for measuring DC.
However, there are some advanced models of the same brands with DC measuring capability.
The Downright Ugly
This clamp meter works best for only AC wiring (CAT-III) and we do not recommend it for DC circuits.
The thing is that this model is not sophisticated enough for DC circuits. It has given us bad experience in the corresponding area.
It looks like it is only designed for AC, not DC. Again, this is our experience. Different users might have a different idea about this product.
2. Also Great: DT-202
This clamp meter is simple and durable. It is presented by AstroAI, which is a reputable brand in electronics.
Its dimension and weight make it a portable clamp meter. Besides its simplicity, this model is quite accurate in reading.
Let’s study more about this model
Salient Features:
- This clamp meter is capable of measuring current up to 400Amps (Only AC).
- The safety of CAT-II(600V) and CAT-III(300V) improves its safety.
- Auxiliary functions of measuring voltage and resistance, testing diode; and connectivity extend its workplace.
- When kept free for 15 minutes, it shuts down to save power.
- The weight of 13 Oz (~370 grams) makes it more portable and easy to carry.
- The display is well-defined and self-explanatory.
You might have observed why AstroAI DT-202(Amazon link) is among the best clamp meters. It is a simple, durable, and accurate clamp meter.
Besides, we can easily afford this clamp meter with a low budget. The given link will lead you to buy it.
3. Also Great: CL-220
Klein Tools is a reputable brand in instrumentation. Their products are highly recommended and used by electricians. Moreover, we also use this brand for selecting a good clamp meter.
Likewise, CL-220 is no exception. This clamp meter is trusted for its accuracy and durability. Its price is more than reasonable for its provided functions.
Let’s look in-depth at this model
Salient Features:
- The range of 400Amps for current is more than enough for our use.
- This clamp meter is specifically designed for AC circuits and wiring.
- It measures voltage (AC/DC), resistance, and temperature with ease.
- NCV and continuity tests are also included in its auxiliary functions
- Readings are shown through a wide display in True RMS to increase accuracy.
- Temperature can be measured in Centigrade and Fahrenheit by just pushing a button.
By observing the above factors, you might have observed that Klein Tools CL-220(Amazon link) is among the top clamp meters. Besides all these features, it is a low-budget clamp meter.
We also trust this clamp meter for its durability and sustainability. It is safe to use and comfortable to operate.
You can pick one by just clicking the above link.
Conclusion
As we went through the blog, we understood that the best budget clamp meter must have distinctive features besides its low cost. These features are the following:
- Low Cost
- High Accuracy
- Give reading in True RMS
- Have proper ratings
- Safe to use
- Physically fit and long-running
You might have guessed that these qualities are found in AstroAI CM2KOR(Amazon link) abundantly. This clamp meter is low-budget and highly accurate.
The performance of this model is more than satisfactory. It is physically tough and functionally durable. We recommend this model if you want to get a good clamp meter at a low cost.
I hope our little effort gives a good deal.
Stay with us for more useful blogs.
Questions
In this section, we are about to answer some frequently asked questions. You can also ask your questions in the comment section.
Q1: How much amount should we specify for buying a clamp meter?
Well, it depends on your use because there are many varieties of clamp meters.
If you want to buy a low-budget clamp meter, then there might be some trade-offs in features. Here, we talk about 20$ to 60$.
In other cases, the amount exceeds 60 Dollars but different features and warranties are added.
Q2: Is it true that costly clamp meters are more accurate?
Not necessarily. Although it is true in many cases, it is not compulsory.
We witnessed some costly clamp meters failing on the second day of work. Equally, we have seen some cheap clamp meters work properly for a long time.
All you need is a proper knowledge of clamp meters. If you fail to have that knowledge then contact an expert.
Q3: What is the basic function of a clamp meter?
It is a very good question and is frequently asked. The addition of many auxiliary functions to a clamp meter created this confusion.
However, a clamp meter is designed to read the current value in a wire through a non-invasive means.
Moreover, it was primarily designed for electricians and engineers working in AC wiring. Nowadays, it applies to all circuits. In some cases, it has replaced a simple multimeter.
Q4: Is CAT-II safety enough for a clamp meter?
CAT-II safety is good for working in circuits extended from circuit breakers. It is good for these specific uses.
However, we suggest extending your scope and getting a clamp meter that applies to our daily electrical problems.
For this purpose, CAT-III safety is the best.
Q5: What are the differences between the NCV test and the Current clamp measuring?
Both are quite different things. There are several differences between them. However, we will summarize them.
Firstly, NCVT is a test while the Current clamp measures a quantity and gives us a value.
Secondly, NCVT looks for voltage and alarms us about its existence. On the other hand, the Current clamp measures the current in a wire.
Lastly, the aim of both is different. NCV test checks for a possible danger while the current clamp measures the amount of current for processing.
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