Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Looking for a DC clamp meter suggestion

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Posted by David E. Nedrow (Member # 4981) on 06-08-2011, 10:27 AM:

I'm looking for recommendations an inexpensive (not cheap) DC clamp meter. Whether it does AC or not isn't an issue. I have other things to use it for, but I initially need it to check my bulb draw, as the meter no longer works, even after having been replaced.

-David

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 06-08-2011, 01:09 PM:

David, the bad news is that there is no good inexpensive DC clamp meter really. My experiences so far with any of them (other than the Fluke I bought years ago) varied from not working at all, giving very inaccurate readings or not lasting long.

Perhaps someone else can suggest a meter that actually works though.

With that said, I can offer some advice on how to get your lamp's meter working again:

If there is a button/switch to read voltage, replace or bypass it. That's pretty much it.

If your lamphouse (can you give make/model please) has a regular analog meter there really is not a lot to go wrong (other than the switch) as it simply reads voltage drop across a shunt connected in series with one of the DC lamp leads.

In very rare cases, a loose connection of one of the DC leads on the shunt can cause the smaller wire of the meter's leads to burn off or be affected by the heating of the connection.

If you meter stopped working suddenly though, the switch is the main culprit.

Posted by Robert Minichino (Member # 3495) on 06-08-2011, 02:49 PM:

I've got an Extech EX730, and it works great, and it's under $200.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 06-09-2011, 01:14 AM:

During the time I worked at the Caesars Palace Omnimax, I wanted a clamp-on current probe that could handle the DC currents typical of a 15K lamphouse, and since I already had a Fluke 87 True-RMS multimeter, I went with the Fluke 1010i. Works with the Fluke meter, and measures both AC or DC currents up to 500A. Not cheap, but I still use both devices 17 years later (they both get calibrations each year). Highly recommended.

"If it works, it's a Fluke."

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 06-09-2011, 01:48 AM:

Fluke works fine, look for True RMS models though.

If you get a clamp adaptor for an existing VOM, again look for True RMS, and get the clamp and VOM calibrated as a pair.

I've a Fluke erm, can't remember the model offhand. Had it for years. Previous to that a clamp adaptor from RS here in the UK which served well until some light fingered type had it away.

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 06-09-2011, 08:35 AM:

I would also recomend a fluke if you want a meeter to be acurate and work for years without trouble. For example, my dad left the leads in his fluke multi meter in the jumper position to check amp draw, forgot it and measure a 460v contractor. Blew a nice chunk out the pc board. Had it tested and still measures perfect voltage and this meeter is 20+ years old.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 06-09-2011, 02:08 PM:

I was looking for the same item a few years ago: something not uberly expensive but not "cheap" and I ended up on an Extech 730 as well. Unfortunately I haven't used it very often but I think it's a proper meter and I am quite happy with it. It can be calibrated, Extech has the procedure for it.

Fluke is obviously the excellence though.