Using Clamp Meters and Line Splitters
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- čas přidán 21. 01. 2017
- This video explains how Clamp Meters measure current differently than DMM's do. It also explains what a Line Splitter is, and how to use it effectively.
This link takes you to a video that explains why the number of decimal places your meter shows can have a big effect on accuracy.
• Meter Accuracy And Dis...
Meters used in this video are:
Fluke 117 DMM - amzn.to/32sp7mY
Fluke 375 Clamp Meter - amzn.to/3jlDwHR
Ideal 61-736 Clamp Meter - amzn.to/3jeNn1R
Klein Tools CL600 Clamp Meter - amzn.to/30oJT4n
Line Splitter - amzn.to/2ZBkJQQ
10x Only Line Splitter - amzn.to/3fDRrXr
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional charge to you.
![AC Line Splitter - How does it work? Checked with a Fluke 324 & Hioki 3288-20 Clamp Meters [CC]](/img/n.gif)
Great video, excellent way to demonstrate & explain the use and limitations of clamp meters and the use of a line splitter. Layman's language, simple explanation! Not a show-off (like most others), practical, and extremely helpful. THANK YOU!
Hi. I just wanted to say that your videos are excellent. They are clear and concise. I recently purchased a Klein CL380 as a result of your videos. I am happy with the purchase because I actually understood (thanks to your video series) the importance of obtaining a true RMS clamp-meter. Cheers!
Just discovered ur tutorials. Keep making these.
Very good video on the subject. The best I have seen. Easy to understand. Which is what I need as I am a neophyte 🤔
Excellent video! You are a good teacher. Thanks
Finally!!! I've always wanted a better understanding of electricity and the tools to use. Up to now, I've never come across a guy who can explain the way something works like you. Excellent job. Thank you!!!!!
I recently bought a 4000 running watt inverter generator. I bought a clamp meter to test inrush amps of some appliances. I saw someone take a power strip and cut the outer insulation to get to the wires and test. I never knew there was such a thing as a line splitter. Would a line splitter interfere with testing inrush current for certain things like refrigerator/freezers?
Great video!, thank you for posting it
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Great explanation.
How do you like the Angilent Oscilloscope? Do you have a video like a review that shows in deep usage of it? I am looking to get a handheld oscilloscope and not sure if get a Fluke or one like yours? I like the screen clarity of yours better! Can you tell me your thoughts?
So when you measure the Amps is it 2.4 amps per minute or hour?
Apparently Klein no longer sells the 1x / 10x dual slot line splitter. according to their site its discontinued. Only the 1 slot, 10x (newer is available) with a 15 amp limit
Could you please put the model of the meters you're using in the description in the future. ☺️ Can't see from video when watching from phone screen...
And thanks for the videos!
Done. Thanks for the suggestion.
MultiMeter Channel - great, can't wait!
Good stuff, I've learned quit a bit watching your videos. Regarding AC line splitters, I checked Amazon on line splitters like the one you used in this video (1X + 10X) and found a wide gap in price points from $13 to $51. Could you explain the price difference? If all they do is separate the two wires why such a price gap, do the more expensive ones use "GOLD" screws to hold the case together. LOL Thanks 4 sharing.
TopGun
No, they are all just varnished wire and contacts. Maybe the $50 was autographed by Thomas Edison......
Hi! Thanks for this video! Just curious, I have seen some line splitter that said it can only work with 110v? Based from your tear-down of the line splitter it looks like just wires inside, is it safe to say that line splitter "should" work with both 110v and 220v?
Yes, it is just 16 gauge wire. You can use it in any voltage.
@@MultiMeterChannel got it! Funny that sellers in Amazon are saying its only for 110v. I already got a UNi-T line splitter, but it only has the x10 slot, no x1.
@@MultiMeterChannel can I also ask, when we're using the x10 slot on the line splitter, do we need to divide the amps by 10 if we can compute the watts?
@@alvint4944
Yes, you divide by 10, when using the x10 slot. In my opinion, there is no need to use a x1, and if I have a splitter that has both, I will always use the x10 anyway. Using the x10 will always give you higher accuracy. You can only use the splitter up to 20 Amps (even though most say 15A), which would be a reading of 200A on the x10. But, most clamp meters can read up to 400A, so why not use the x10 all the time?
@@MultiMeterChannel thanks a lot for patiently replying to my novice questions, I'm just getting interested to doing repair jobs at home since im stucked at home, bought a soldering iron, clamp meter and line splitter haha
If you're using a clamp accessory with your multimeter will the clamp have the same range as the multimeter? I need to measure current leakage in the microampere range but clamp meters with that kind of resolution are expensive.
Also, if you're only concerned with leakage to ground is it acceptable to clamp all three conductors together?
Rick Trexler
Clamp Meters like I am using in the $50 to $300 range generally only measure microamps through the test leads, and not through the clamp. To measure microamps through the clamps, you would need a specialized Clamp meter that is actually called a leakage tester. Good ones that can get to low readings can cost as much as $700. I've seen some small clamps that can measure in the milliamperes range for under $200, but I have never really looked around for a "lower cost" meter that can measure microamps through the clamp. I'll look around for one though.
For example if you were in a marina and wondering if a boat connected to shore power was leaking current into the water? Current going somewhere on one wire and coming back on another wire, if you clamp around both wires they cancel each other. If current goes out and doesn't come back, uses another way to get back to the source, you could clamp around all the conductors and get a reading.
I always wondered about how the AC line splitter especially the X10 positions measured the current without also including one turn of the hot/neutral wire. With the line splitter open you can clearly see one of the X10 position has 10 turns of the no insulation wire while the bottom X10 position has 10 turns of the no insulation wire plus 1 turn of the black wire. Because of this difference in turns with the X10 positions I would expect the current measurement of the position with 10 turns only to be larger than the position that has 10 turns and 1 turn of the other wire which in effect means the measured current is only 10-1=9 turns versus 10 turns on the upper x10 position. Can you prove that that is
indeed the case when you measure the current in those two X10 positions it is different ?
+Wah Ng
As you look at the line splitter in the video, the top side has 10 turns of the Hot wire, with the current flowing in the left to right direction. The bottom side has 9 turns of the Hot wire with the current flowing in the right to left direction. This will be added to the neutral wire, which also has the current flowing from right to left. So, each side has essentially the same 10 turns of wire, and both side will measure the same.
You are absolutely correct. Thanks for the clarification and also for making this video.
also line splitters for european sockets 230volt ? if not it should be easy to homemade one
+highflow highflow
I have never seen a 230 Volt Line Splitter, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. But, making one is as easy as taking an extension cord and separating the Hot and Neutral wires. You just won't get the 10x. If you had a long enough extension cord, you can wrap the wire in a loop several times to multiply the reading.
@@MultiMeterChannel I was thinking of the same thing. But I think the time 10 would be difficult to replicate its reading from a single wire reading.
I can just make a home made line spliter.
wshy doesn't anybody have 20Amp line splitters?
+WV591
To do a "standard" line splitter that has a x10 measurement, you need to wrap the wire around 10 times. A wire that can handle 20 Amps is pretty thick when wrapped 10 times, and most Clamp Meters would not be able to Clamp around it after you put it in a protective housing.
Most line splitters use around 16 gauge wire, which can easily handle 20 amps for a short period of time. But, since it is not rated to handle it continuously, in all conditions, you couldn't get a UL safety rating for 20 Amps.