Whether electricians, electrical engineers or any other professional working with electricity, safety is paramount. Of course, the job carries its share of risk, but like any hazardous occupation, risks can and should be minimised.
The right equipment plays a big part in this and electrical industry professionals need to stay up to speed with every safety development to further enhance their day-to-day well-being. Current clamp meters are one such development; an affordable device designed with safety in mind.
Current clamp meters allow live electrical flow to be measured without having to come in direct contact with the conductor. And yes, the less time electrical professionals spend in direct contact with live electricity the better.
While other current meters require the current to be turned off first, potentially interrupting production or other important commercial activities, a current clamp meter can be hooked up via a separate clamp before measurements are taken on a handheld device away from danger.
The ultimate benefit of a current clamp meter is its potential to save lives. The whole point of this essential device is to separate an electrician from live electricity while measuring current flow.
Current clamp meters measure AC current, though some also measure DC current. Both versions do so without any direct contact with the conductor while taking current flow measurements on a handheld meter.
The clamp part of a current meter is clamped to the conductor. The electrician or technician then connects to the clamp on the handheld meter and takes measurements safely without having to make contact with live wires while doing so.
While the primary function of a current clamp meter is to measure AC and DC current, many can also measure:
Unlike basic current testers that can throw a wobbly measuring a mere 10 amperes, current clamp meters can measure up to 1000 amperes. That’s why current clamp meters are the preferred option for electrical maintenance, servicing and installation.
The cheapest current clamp meters are only about $50, but the average price for a reliable unit is a little over $414. Of course, as this is an important device and safety is vital, it’s worth the extra investment to get a high-end current clamp meter. One of those will cost about $1,900.
If you are looking to a buy a Current & Voltage Clamp Meter for sale, suppliers on IndustrySearch include Fluke Australia, Wagner Electronic Services, Teledyne FLIR, Pacific Sensor Technologies Pty Ltd, OBIAT Electronics Pty Ltd, Zedflo Australia, Queensland Calibrations