A clamp meter is an instrument that measures the current in a wire with the help of Electromagnetism. The best clamp meter is one that reads data while keeping its operator safe in HVAC.
Selection of the best clamp meter for HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) is not an easy job despite knowing the basics of the instrumentation. Well, here we are to tell you how to pick a good one.
As we know, HVAC is a dangerous field to work in. The voltage level for HVAC is more than 1000 Voltage (according to IEEE) which threatens the safety of electricians.
Because of this dangerous and life-threatening nature of HVAC, an Electrician, or trainee in the field must rely on a good clamp meter. Any ill well can take his/her life as we know electricity does not like jokes!
As we mentioned earlier, the best clamp meter reads quality data while keeping the electrician safe. A clamp meter for HVAC has an extra level of security and more friendliness as compared to a common clamp meter.
Through this article, you will know about:
- The qualities of the best clamp meter
- Choices of professionals
- Frequently asked questions about clamp meter
- And much more
So stay tuned…
Best Clamp Meter
Once you get your hands on the best clamp meter, working in high voltage does not matter.
As per my experience in the field, Klein Tools CL-320 and Fluke 902 FC are the best clamp meter in the market. Both are reliable, effective, and durable. We feel comfortable with HVAC when we have these instruments in the toolbox. Moreover, longevity and environmental friendliness make it an excellent option for adverse conditions (especially in the field). Hence, I suggest both for my students and clients for a long time, yet we did not get any news of bad experiences.
However, there are many options besides these two. They are classified by keeping the following features in mind.
Let’s study these features in detail…
Choosing the Best Clamp Meter
The following parameters are the license for the best clamp meter. These features are thoroughly discussed here with the required detail.
a. Safety
Safety is a key factor while working in HVAC. As we know that there are plenty of clamp meters available in the market. All of them are installed with corresponding safety.
But we have to be perfect while keeping safety in view. A good clamp meter must have CAT-IV safety for 300V and CAT-III safety for 600V.
b. Accuracy
The best clamp meter must be accurate not only for high voltages but also for low voltages. It is hard to get both of these qualities in a single clamp meter.
By thorough examination, we enlisted some accurate clamp meters in this article. These clamp meters have high accuracy of up to 0.2% in all readings.
c. Installed Functions
Besides some basic functions like resistance, voltage, and current measurements; other helpful functions are also installed in the best clamp meter. This makes it an excellent option for users.
Some of these extra but helpful functions are the measurement of:
- Frequency
- Capacitance
- Diode testing
- Temperature measurement
- NCV (Non-contact Voltage) measurement
Although these functions are auxiliary, they play an important role in reading.
d. User-friendliness
Users feel comfortable while using a good clamp meter. Many factors like shape, weight, remote reading, and easy carrying are involved in the comfort of the user.
We have listed clamp meters based on user-friendliness. All of them are user-friendly and easy to use.
Additionally, a common clamp meter has many ports (three in many cases). One has to switch probes among these ports for different readings. Although, we picked clamp meters having only two ports. In this way, the users do not have to switch between ports to avoid confusion.
e. Sustainability and Durability
An ideal clamp meter is known for its sustainability and durability in fieldwork. A sophisticated instrument fails in a harsh environment or loss its proper function.
However, a durable clamp meter will continue to work in harsh conditions. It is the quality of the best clamp meter.
There are many other qualities to check, but we have to be specific to HVAC. Observing these factors, we have made a list below.
List of Top Clamp Meters
Assessing the above factors, we have shortlisted the following clamp meters. Each clamp meter is trusted among professionals and has a particular set of features.
Without further delay, let’s jump into the list.
1. UEi DL-3798
One of the frequently used clamp meters among engineers is UEi DL-3798. It is simple and rough in use. This model is an ideal clamp meter for HVAC. The quality and safety level is impressive.
Besides, it made a place in the market, although there is a very tough competitor.
Salient Features:
- This model is extremely light in weight is 0.75 ounces (~21.26 grams)
- It measures frequency, capacitance (up to 2000 micro Farad), and Temperature. It also tests the diode.
- CAT-IV for 300V and CAT-III for 600 V safety is installed
- NCV (Non-Contact Voltage) tester is installed to check the live wire
- Accuracy is high which is impressive for such heavy duty clamp meter
Safety and quality are the key features of DL-3798 (Amazon link). It is the ideal clamp meter for an electrician. Surprisingly, many functions are augmented yet it weighs light. Moreover, two ports are there for probes to avoid any confusion. It is available at a reasonable price at the given link.
2. Fielpiece Compact HVACR SC-260
In the tough market of good clamp meters, SC-260 also goes hand in hand with its competitor. It is a smooth-running instrument, designed especially for high voltage and durable conditions.
Professionals like us may hesitate to get it; but as per my experience, SC-260 is not lesser than models of famous brands. Accuracy and durability tests are positive. Moreover, this model is well-supplied with auxiliary functions.
Salient Features:
- Accurate in reading for High as well as Low voltage
- Durable in hot and cold environments
- Temperature and NCV can be measured
- Equipped with a strong magnet for hand-free reading
- Auto-select mode detects capacitance and resistance automatically
In a practical approach, SC-260 (Amazon link) is very helpful in the field. It is simple, accurate, and equipped with required auxiliary functions which are the need by nowadays electricians. Moreover, the instrument is supplied with different packages that make it easy for students to buy.
3. Amprobe AMP-330
Often, we need higher protection than the nominal value for HVAC. AMP-330 fulfills this requirement with no disturbance in accuracy.
Besides accuracy and safety, this model is sustainable in adverse conditions. Additionally, it is calibrated before shipment with NIST certification.
Salient Features:
- The instrument has CAT-III safety for 1000V and CAT-IV safety for 600V
- Certified by NIST for guaranteed-prescribed rating
- Helpful in low voltage reading up to 12V
- Designed primarily for wiring of HVAC
- AMP-330 is safer than previous models (AMP-310 etc)
Summing up, if one is focused on more than enough safety, AMP-330 (Amazon link) is the best clamp meter for them. It is quite reliable in adverse conditions and has promising results with no trade-off in accuracy. The provided link will lead you to different models of Amprobe.
4. Milwaukee 2236-20
This model has a healthy response in worse conditions. Majorly known for its user-friendliness and durability, it is a well-established instrument for HVAC.
Operating conditions are often rough and worse for the HVAC clamp meter. This model passes these tests and operated likewise.
Salient features:
- The Milwaukee 2236-20 is durable and sustainable
- Durability does not reduce overall accuracy
- Easy to use (no difficult setup)
- Measures temperature in Farehnhate and centigrade
- It weighs 1.49 pounds (~676 grams)
In short, a tough environment needs Milwaukee 2236-20 (Amazon link). As mentioned earlier, it is durable and accurate. This product is smooth in running and operations. One needn’t buy a clamp meter once he gets addicted to this model. Moreover, it is made in Japan.
5. UEi DL-429B
Before this, we have already listed the model of the same brand. This DL-429B is the improved version of previous models. Yet all of their models are trusted by electricians.
Likewise, this model is an improved version of the previous one. They replaced the knob with simple push buttons for quick and easy reading. Moreover, accuracy has also been improved along with its display.
Salient Features:
- For safety, it can be connected to a smartphone for readings
- Differential temperature can be measured
- A weight of 1.1 ounces (~31 grams) is good for an ideal clamp meter
- Accuracy at low and high voltage is plausible
- CAT-III for 600V is provided
- Besides, it also measures resistance (up to 60 Mega ohm), Capacitance (upto 2000 micro Farad), and frequency (up 99.99Hz)
It is safe to say that DL-429B(Amazon link) is one of the best clamp meters. Additionally, Electricians trust it in their life while working in HVAC. After showing good results in the field, we suggest this model for our clients and students who are fond of HVAC.
6. Fluke 902 FC
Fluke is a reputable name in the instrumentation industry. Their instrument is widely known for sustainability and durability but with no trade-off in accuracy.
Fluke 902 FC is the first choice of professionals. This model is simple, tough, and long-lasting. It does not mind pressure and a shortfall. As mentioned earlier, its toughness does not reduce its accuracy.
Salient features:
- CAT-IV for 300V and CAT-III for 600V is installed.
- Safe distance reading is one of its amazing functions. It is connected to a smartphone for remote reading.
- Temperature measurement for -10०C to 400०C (14०F to 752०F) is an additional tool.
- The weight of the instrument is 1 pound (~454 grams)
Long story short, Fluke 902 FC (Amazon link) is a remarkable instrument when it comes to durability, sustainability, and accuracy. Moreover, other augmented functions make it ideal for laboratory use. This model is available at the given link at a reasonable price.
7. Klein Tools CL-320
Klein Tools is a prestigious name in instrumentation. Their products are widely trusted by professionals.
When it comes to performance durability and sustainability, CL-320 has the top position among its competitors. This model is considered a key element in the toolbox of HVAC electricians.
Let’s observe its key features!
Salient features:
- For the sake of safety, NCV (Non-contact Voltage) is provided
- Two ports are available for probes to avoid confusion (Occurs in 3 ports)
- The kit is provided with other instruments along with a Clamp meter
- We trust this model for high accuracy
- The model is also found best for low voltages
- The basic operations of a common multimeter are also augmented.
Summing up, I suggest CL-320 (Amazon link) for anyone dealing with HVAC. Reliability, durability, and simplicity in use make it a good and safe choice. Moreover, the given link provides some additional items. These items are necessary for an electrician.
Conclusion
Long story short, safety and quality are the prominent factors for the best clamp meter. A good clamp meter will perform in adverse conditions as faced in the field.
An ideal clamp meter will have the following features:
- Good safety level
- Accurate reading
- More relevant functions
- Easy to use
- Sustainable and durable
Observing the above factors and mixing them with my experience, Klein CL-320 (Amazon link) is the best clamp meter. This specific model is safe and accurate. Operating conditions are rough enough for tough fieldwork. The package is provided with some auxiliary instruments like Infrared Thermometer (Measuring differential Temperature) and an NCV device (for remotely measuring voltage). The package is available at a reasonable price at the given link.
Question and Answer Session
Q1: Why should we buy a clamp meter when we have a multimeter?
Generally, a multimeter is designed for sophisticated circuits with less threshold level of voltage and current. Meanwhile, high voltages produce the arcing effect that damages the circuitry of multimeters.
Hence, a special type of clamp meter is designed to counter this shortcoming in normal multimeters.
Q2: Can we adjust the Clamp meter of the HVAC for low voltages?
Frankly saying, it is not a good idea. Yet we can use these clamp meters for low voltages (up to 12V). However, accuracy reduces as we reduce the measuring voltage level.
Thus it is always advised to use the proper instrument for the proper purpose.
Q3: How does the clamp work?
The working principle is based on electromagnetic induction. The current-carrying wire produces an electromagnetic field.
The rate of change in that electromagnetic field produces current in the clamp (Faraday’s Law). The amount of current produced due to that change is measured and the value is calculated and displayed.
Q4: Why should we opt for the best clamp meter?
We have witnessed many accidents related to clamp meters. The majority of these accidents occur due to the overburden of setting up clamp meters. Some minor cases reported the low quality of the clamp meter.
Hence, if we have the best option in our hands, our safety is protected. And if we are safe, we can openly complete the corresponding task,
Q5: What is Arcing?
The formation of an arc is called arcing. It happens due to high voltage in close vicinity. Due to proximity, the charges travel by air. Thus arcs are formed.
These arcs are quite dangerous for circuits and equipment. They cause damage to equipment and result in fire. Moreover, high voltage provides shock through arcs.
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