Is it better to have a multimeter with clamps or a multimeter without clamps?
This depends on the focus of the work, such as the use of specialized clamp current meters for electrical maintenance of power lines, and the use of multimeters for personnel engaged in electrical maintenance or weak current.
The dedicated clamp current meter can detect the current of the circuit with high accuracy. Although it has a single function, it is sufficient to meet the current detection of the circuit. Simply put, a clamp current meter consists of a current transformer and an ammeter. During the measurement process, it is necessary to switch gears by disconnecting from the measured wire. Because shifting gears can cause an instantaneous open circuit on the secondary side of the current transformer, if the measured current is high, an instantaneous high voltage will be generated on the secondary side of the current transformer, and the clamp current meter is likely to burn out.
The clamp current meter was originally used to measure the current of a running circuit by measuring the AC current. From this, it can be seen that current detection can be performed without interruption, and it is specifically designed to detect high AC currents. Nowadays, the functions of flow meters are no longer limited, and multimeters also have the functions of flow meters.
Therefore, each has its own advantages. If you want to detect the current of a running circuit, a clamp current meter is definitely useful. Do not disconnect the line and perform current detection directly. To measure with a multimeter, the circuit must be disconnected. If the equipment cannot be powered off randomly during continuous production, the multimeter will be difficult to use.
The current clamp meter is no longer the clamp meter of decades ago. It uses the Hall induction principle and can not only measure AC circuits and DC currents; Plug in the probes to transform into a digital multimeter, which can also measure parameters such as voltage, resistance, capacitance, frequency, and more. As for accuracy, it's the same as a digital multimeter, there's not much difference.
They differ
If we have to say which one is better between a caliper and a multimeter, there are still some differences in the experience of using them.
1. A clamp meter can continuously measure current, which a multimeter cannot achieve. If it is necessary to frequently measure AC/DC current, it is recommended to buy a clamp meter; If you don't need to measure the current frequently, just buy a multimeter.
In order to continuously measure current, a clamp meter must have jaws, so its body is relatively slender. Because there is no bracket on the back of the caliper, I personally feel that the caliper tends to be held in my hand for measurement; The back of the multimeter has a bracket, which is more inclined to be placed on a table for measurement. So if you often sit next to a table for repairs, it's more convenient to buy a multimeter, otherwise it's uncomfortable to stretch your neck and look at the screen of the caliper.
3. In terms of price, the clamp meter not only has most of the functions of a multimeter, but also has an additional current transformer, so the price is relatively higher.
