A Clamp meter (Current Clamp or Current Probe) is an excellent instrument that reads the values of different electrical parameters quickly and safely. It replaces the old circuit-breaking method with non-invasive measuring.
Hence, clamp meters replace multimeters in different workspaces. But there is a catch.
When we want to buy the best clamp meter, we are showered with many options. It makes us perplexed to pick a good clamp meter.
Here we come to the rescue…
We all know that the usage of an instrument depends on the task of users. Thus, we should get the clamp meter that suits best our job.
What if we have a single and best clamp meter that suits all tasks in our hands?
Through this blog, we are going to suggest to you the best clamp meters that suit all of our needs in the workspace.
So keep reading, it is going to be amazing…
Choosing the Best Clamp Meter
Once we get the best clamp meter in our hands, we have no regard for the problem in our hands.
Being an electronics nerd, I suggest Klein Tools CL800 and Fluke 376 FC as the best clamp meters for their durability, accuracy, and sustainability. These clamp meters fit in all of our use of measurement. Moreover, these are reputable brands in instrumentation.
We go through the following parameters to compare clamp meters.
a. Accuracy
Every electrical and electronic instrument needs to be the best when it comes to accuracy. Accuracy tells us the effectiveness of the reading of the instrument.
Again, it depends on users to pick a clamp meter according to their needs. Here, we choose clamp meters that give accurate results common to all workspaces.
b. Ratings
The rating of an instrument tells us the range of its capabilities. High rating results high range of influence in the measurement.
Upon our research, we found that there is a span of rating that is common to all fields. We are going to touch on this range of ratings to suggest the best clamp meter.
c. Safety
The utmost purpose of a good clamp meter is safety. None can ignore this factor while buying a Clamp meter.
We advise users to go through Safety Categories to understand the level of safety. However, CAT-III safety is enough for our common use.
d. Additional Functions
The top clamp meters give us a variety of additional functions. It does not affect the performance of the clamp meter but it helps users to have many options in hand.
Measuring Resistance, Voltage, Frequency, polarity of the diode, and connectivity are to name a few. But it is optional.
e. Clamp Jaw Size
A comfortable-size clamp-jaw is a key measuring factor when buying a clamp meter. The problem often occurs with HVAC and HVDC electricians when they fail due to size.
As we promised all-purpose and the best clamp meter, this problem would not be happening.
f. Auto/Manual Ranging
Because of the workload, we ignore the sophistication of an instrument. Often, manual ranging troubles us during tedious tasks.
Hence Auto-ranging is a blessing here. We don’t have to worry about the range of current or voltage when we are measuring. It best suits our needs.
g. User Friendliness
A good clamp meter must be user-friendly. Users must be comfortable using clamp meters.
We always criticize unnecessarily sophistication of an instrument. The best clamp meter is the one that acquaints itself with the user.
h. Durability
As everyone knows, our job is a mess. Often our instrument falls from height. This led us to break our instrument.
Through this blog, we are going to suggest durable and sustainable clamp meters. These are tested in tough situations.
List of Best Current Clamps
By viewing the above points we picked the top three best clamp meters or current clamps for our users.
Without further delay, let’s go through our list.
1. Our Selected CL-800
Our selected best clamp meter is Klein Tools CL-800 (Amazon link). We chose this model due to its reliability, sustainability, user-friendliness, and accuracy. CL-800 smoothly covers our demand for an all-purpose clamp meter.
Let’s delve into the instrument before naming it best.
The Good
This model is quite safe to use: It is appropriately safe in CAT-III (1000V) and CAT-IV (600V).
Easily navigates through different installed functions: This specific model has a variety of functions. It measures AC/DC voltage, resistance, continuity, frequency, capacitance, and testing diode. Additionally, thermocouple probes are used to measure temperature.
Auto-ranging helps to reduce workload: As I mentioned earlier manual ranging is troublesome. Hence, this model is based on auto-ranging true RMS value of reading.
Ghost or Stray voltages can be detected through LoZ: To detect ghost voltage or stray voltage, Low impedance measurement (LoZ) helps us to fix the problem.
The hard-wearing case protects the instrument: Like all instruments of this brand, the CL-800 is a durable instrument. It can withstand the fall of about 6 ft without any protective casing.
Remoteness in reading improves safety: Although it might sound irrelevant, weight matters in portability. CL-800 weighs 12.5 Oz, light enough for carrying.
Display reduces the effort of reading: The display of this model is readable with ease.
The Bad
Although the CL-800 has distinguishing qualities, there are some trade-offs. As we mentioned this model is user-friendly, but it is complex for users at the beginner level.
After the passage of time, the user gets acquainted but it consumes a good amount of time.
The Downright Ugly
There is a problem in measuring low current. The accuracy reduces below 10mA. If one is opting for low current, we would not suggest this model.
Although, we have other models as well.
2. Also Great: Fluke 376FC
Besides our selected clamp meter, another big brand with a reputable name is Fluke. Their instrument is placed among the most trusted instruments.
Of course, Fluke 376FC is no exception. It is tested in every condition and proved excellent. Additionally, this model can be connected to a smartphone for remote readings. This property gives an extra safety to its users.
Salient features:
- Simple and basic to use, with no complexity involved
- Auto-ranging makes it comfortable to use.
- Only two probes-holes are observed than three. Which simplifies measuring phenomena.
- Have the reputation of durability.
- Safe in CAT-III up to 1000V and CAT-IV up to 600V
- The remoteness of reading is installed through smartphones and Cloud recording as mentioned earlier.
Without any doubt, when it comes to durability along with other key factors, Fluke 276 FC (Amazon link) gives a tough time to its competitor. Besides all these properties, this model is too simple to use and too simple to understand. Moreover, the price is quite reasonable.
3. Also Great: CM2KOR
The above-mentioned product belongs to well-known brands. However, AstroAI is another emerging name in the field of instrumentation.
Commonly known as the AstroAI Clamp meter, CM2KOR is also one of the trusted and tested instruments among our colleagues.
Let’s find out why it is on our top list.
Salient Features:
- Like our mentioned product, it is also simple and user-friendly
- Measures current (ONLY AC NOT DC), voltage (AC/DC), resistance, connectivity, capacitance, and live wire test in an efficient manner
- NCV (Non-Contact Voltage) functionality is installed. It augments the safety of the user
- The jaw is comparatively larger than other clamp meters to make us comfortable in assembly.
- Safety of CAT-III up to 600V is installed. (NO CAT-IV SAFETY)
Providing functions of a famous brand at the lowest possible cost, CM2KOR (Amazon link) is widely considered a good clamp meter. Although not well known among common folks and engineers, electricians tested this instrument and found it good.
Conclusion
Summing up, the best clamp meter is one that can be used for all purposes with no trad-offs in efficiency.
Besides, following are some other factors to take into consideration while buying a clamp meter:
- Accuracy in reading
- Range of ratings
- Safety
- Additional functions
- Clamp jaw size
- Automation in ranging
- User-friendliness and
- Durability
Upon examining these factors, we are bold enough to say that Klien Tools CL-800 (Amazon link) is the best clamp meter.
We chose this model due to its effectiveness in the field of instrumentation. This model of Klein Tools reduces our job effort by minimizing efforts to get acquainted with the instrument.
Besides accurate and precise reading, CL-800 is a durable instrument. Moreover, be it physical connection or electrical, it helps to complete our work smoothly.
In short, it fulfills our claim of an all-purpose clamp meter.
Questions
Q1: Is True RMS ability is important?
Yes, the true RMS ability of a clamp meter is very important. Upon having it in a clamp meter, we can accurately measure sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal waves. Moreover, accuracy depends on it.
Nowadays, approximately every clamp meter is installed with this function. However, we must check for it before buying one.
Q2: What should be my safety priority for a clamp meter?
Our safety categories should be CAT-III and CAT-IV. I must mention here that it solely depends upon our use and the circuit we are about to analyze.
Safety is crucial for a clamp meter. It is the main element in the design of a clamp meter. Thus if we are working in HVAC or HVDC, we must check the ratings of our clamp meter.
Q3: Is wireless connectivity beneficial for a clamp meter?
Of course yes, it gives us more freedom to take reading and keep records. I have already mentioned a model of Fluke above.
However, it’s not crucial. When it comes to safety, A clamp meter is always safe to use. This functionality only helps us to maintain records and make graphs.
Q4: Are more expensive clamp meters always better?
It is a commonly asked question, Not necessarily. We have many cheap and low-budget models that work the same as expensive clamp meters. The catch is, they are made by emerging brands.
But there is always a trade-off in such a situation. If we want a cheap clamp meter, maybe it comes with a price of low accuracy or low durability.
Often, cheap clamp meters get damaged upon frequent use. Thus an expensive one can save more money and time than a cheap one.
Q5: Should we rely on old brands or new brands?
It is not a tricky question.
Old brands like Klien Tools and Fluke are not outdated. They are modernizing their instruments according to the need for modern technology.
New brands are equally good. But we must go through their reputation. Some emerging brands can compete with these solid brands like Amprobe, UEi Test Instrument, Extech, and TechPower.
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