Do I need a new Fluke clamp meter?

Nov 15, 2009 5 Replies

My experience is that there are true RMS clamp meters that measure current via max/peak method and newer meters that use the in-rush method (ie, Fluke



330 series).

Accurate measurement of in-rush current has alway been possible since the advent of true RMS meters with Max feature. Fluke is now touting the triggered 100mS inrush measurement feature as the new "must-have" thing.



How much more useful than a good true RMS clamp meter with max/hold is a triggered 100mS meter? For measurement of synchronous motor currents (with and without adjustable speed drives (ASDs)), is a trigger or a fast measurement really necessary? Helpful? A waste?



What do you think?



Is there something you need to do that the meter you already have is not adequate for? If what you have works, then there's no reason to upgrade.

"Bob E."

**That is not " experience " -

that is pure witch doctor mentality.

** Is that " Mad Max" or " Max Headroom

- you are alluding to here ??

** Discussed here in detail, four days ago.

You going blind ??

** There are more things in heaven and on earth ...

And a TROLL by any other name smells just as putrid as this s*it.

Hope Willy forgives me ....

.... Phil

"Need" is a subjective term.

If what you want is to make a repetitive job easier, I would recommend (without personal experience) a good hand held oscilloscope such as Fluke makes. They are not cheap. With that, you need a current transformer with a load resistor called a Rogowski coil equivalent. That is the clamp-onm and sensing part of a clamp-on meter. Record the start-up current waveform. Then you have a record of the waveform you can data process to your heart's content instead of relying upon someone else's cryptic algorithm.

Bill

That's the "Doctor Strangelove" mentality. ;-)

Read Fluke application note 1629920 and work it out.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required