Clamp meter measurement techniquesClamp meter measurement techniques
Although the clamp is only used for current measurements, most clamp meters accept input from test leads or other probes, which greatly increases the types of measurements they can make and makes the clamp meter a more versatile instrument.
AC/DC Current: Current (measured in amperes) is the flow of electrical charge and is the most basic measurement of a clamp meter. Electric current can be used to generate heat and magnetic fields, which are widely used in electric motors, inductors and generators. Most modern clamp meters can measure both AC and DC current.
AC/DC Voltage: Voltage, measured in volts, is the potential difference per unit charge transferred between two points, or more simply, the electrical energy transferred when a certain number of electrons are transferred in a circuit. Voltage can represent energy, or energy that has been used, stored, or lost.
Resistance: Resistance (measured in ohms) is the resistance to the flow of electricity through a conductor. Resistance depends on the material and shape of the conductor.
Continuity: Continuity is a quick "pass/fail" resistance test used to distinguish between open or closed circuits. Typically, a continuity test will beep when a closed circuit is detected without the need to look at the meter while performing the test.
Capacitance: Capacitance (measured in farads) is the ability of an object to store electrical charge. Any object that can be charged has a capacitance.
Frequency: Frequency, measured in Hertz, is the rate at which alternating current oscillations occur in the electrical grid. Typically, North American power systems use a 60 Hz frequency.
Power Factor: Power factor is a high-level measurement defined as the ratio of the active power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. In an electrical system, a load with a low power factor consumes more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred.
Temperature: Many clamp meters accept input from temperature probes or thermocouples for contact temperature measurements.
Although the clamp is only used for current measurements, most clamp meters accept input from test leads or other probes, which greatly increases the types of measurements they can make and makes the clamp meter a more versatile instrument.
AC/DC Current: Current (measured in amperes) is the flow of electrical charge and is the most basic measurement of a clamp meter. Electric current can be used to generate heat and magnetic fields, which are widely used in electric motors, inductors and generators. Most modern clamp meters can measure both AC and DC current.
AC/DC Voltage: Voltage, measured in volts, is the potential difference per unit charge transferred between two points, or more simply, the electrical energy transferred when a certain number of electrons are transferred in a circuit. Voltage can represent energy, or energy that has been used, stored, or lost.
Resistance: Resistance (measured in ohms) is the resistance to the flow of electricity through a conductor. Resistance depends on the material and shape of the conductor.
Continuity: Continuity is a quick "pass/fail" resistance test used to distinguish between open or closed circuits. Typically, a continuity test will beep when a closed circuit is detected without the need to look at the meter while performing the test.
Capacitance: Capacitance (measured in farads) is the ability of an object to store electrical charge. Any object that can be charged has a capacitance.
Frequency: Frequency, measured in Hertz, is the rate at which alternating current oscillations occur in the electrical grid. Typically, North American power systems use a 60 Hz frequency.
Power Factor: Power factor is a high-level measurement defined as the ratio of the active power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. In an electrical system, a load with a low power factor consumes more current than a load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred.
Temperature: Many clamp meters accept input from temperature probes or thermocouples for contact temperature measurements.
