How to measure DC current with a clamp ammeter
A clamp ammeter is a specialized instrument for measuring AC current. Its front end is a current transformer. It achieves measurement tasks through the principle of electromagnetic induction.
A clamp type ammeter cannot test direct current because direct current does not have an alternating magnetic field, so no secondary current is generated in the clamp type transformer. Therefore, it is impossible for a clamp type ammeter to measure direct current.
The current electronic clamp ammeter has more complete functions, which can measure voltage, resistance, current, etc. However, if testing DC, the gear should be set to the DC gear and the red and black probe should be connected in series to the DC power supply for measurement.
Clamp type ammeters are generally used to test AC current. They are made based on the principle of AC worm current, similar to transformers, which obtain signals through electromagnetic induction. I use ammeters that measure DC in series on the circuit, but theoretically, it is possible to make a DC clamp meter
The method for measuring DC current using an AC/DC clamp ammeter is similar to the method used for measuring AC current using an AC clamp ammeter. Select the appropriate range, clip a wire to test the current into the center of the clamp, and the corresponding current will be displayed on the display screen.
The difference is that the clamp of the AC/DC dual purpose clamp ammeter generally uses Hall elements to measure current, while the clamp of the AC clamp ammeter uses a transformer to measure AC current.
Another difference is that some AC/DC dual purpose clamp type ammeters have a universal AC/DC measurement range. When measuring current with this type of ammeter, it is not necessary to distinguish between AC and DC ranges. As long as the appropriate current range is set, it can be measured. Some dual-purpose clamp ammeters have separate AC and DC measurement ranges. If using this type of ammeter to measure DC current, the range must be set to the appropriate DC current range in order to measure it.
