For weeks I've been trying to figure out why a 1200W inverter couldn't start up a 500W window A/C. I tried all combinations of suppressors, batteries, cables, etc. and suspected the inrush on the A/C itself was very high. Within the first 30 minutes of owning this GVDA GD169A Digital clamp meter I had the problem figured out. Inrush current measured around 20A which (just barely) exceeded the 2400W surge capability of the inverter. Mystery Solved!
I've been doing non-invasive surge and A/C current measurements in combination with a Tacklife line splitter and learning all sorts of things about the appliances in my home and shop. It is helping me balance outlets, breakers and wiring in a way I hadn't before.
Some reviewers complain about the minimum 10A current needed to trigger the inrush measurement on this meter. I found a way around this. The Tacklife has two loops, 1x and 10x. Buy clamping the meter in the 10x loop I am able to get good results between 2-10 amps. Very nice meter, much less expensive than the Fluke 375 and UEi DL489, two other meters I considered.
