Using a clamp ammeter to measure DC current
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 ammeter cannot test direct current because direct current does not have an alternating magnetic field, so no secondary current is generated in the clamp transformer. Therefore, it is impossible for a clamp ammeter to measure direct current.
The current electronic clamp ammeter has more complete functions and 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 ammeters are generally used to test AC current. They are made based on the principle of AC snail current, similar to transformers, which obtain signals through electromagnetic induction. I use DC ammeters in series on circuits, but theoretically, it is possible to make a DC clamp ammeter
The method of measuring DC current using a clamp ammeter for both AC and DC is similar to the method of measuring AC current using an AC clamp ammeter. Select the appropriate range, insert 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 a Hall element to measure the current, while the clamp of the AC clamp ammeter uses a transformer to measure the AC current.
Another difference is that some AC/DC dual-purpose clamp ammeters have universal AC/DC measurement gears. When using this type of ammeter to measure current, it is not necessary to distinguish between AC and DC gears, as long as the appropriate current gear is set, it can be measured. Some dual-purpose clamp ammeters have separate AC and DC measurement gears. If using this type of ammeter to measure DC current, the gear must be set to the appropriate DC current gear before measurement can be made.
