I can help. I’ve been using clamp meters to take industrial power measurements since the mid ‘70s. But it was a Amprobe Ultra analog meter that was only readable down to 1 amps or so. Modern digital clamp meters are generally readable down to 10mA but still need the 10X wrap trick if you want to measure as low as 1mA of current.
Measuring low current draw such as those for relays can be an issue especially if you use an older analog amp meter. At times this necessitated that we had to come up with a way to lengthen the wire to wrap it around the jaws, usually 10 times to get the meter needle to move and then divide the reading by 10. For the most part newer digital meters have eliminated this practice but I would never completely rule it out.
You are correct about boosting sensitivity in clamp meters for low-current testing. I’ve been doing the 10x wrap for decades. It’s especially useful for measuring GFCI leakage currents with a clamp meter that only reads down to 10mA resolution. Look two/thirds of the way down this article for an example.
I look forward to your clamp meter video. I used one to troubleshoot my solar system and it took me forever to figure out how to use it.
I can help. I’ve been using clamp meters to take industrial power measurements since the mid ‘70s. But it was a Amprobe Ultra analog meter that was only readable down to 1 amps or so. Modern digital clamp meters are generally readable down to 10mA but still need the 10X wrap trick if you want to measure as low as 1mA of current.
Rather than ruining a cord, "AC Line Splitters" for clamp-on meters are available from Amazon and Harbor Freight for a little over $10.
I have all of those. But for my demonstrations it’s easier to see the actual wire colors. 😁
Mike, maybe you will touch in this.
Measuring low current draw such as those for relays can be an issue especially if you use an older analog amp meter. At times this necessitated that we had to come up with a way to lengthen the wire to wrap it around the jaws, usually 10 times to get the meter needle to move and then divide the reading by 10. For the most part newer digital meters have eliminated this practice but I would never completely rule it out.
You are correct about boosting sensitivity in clamp meters for low-current testing. I’ve been doing the 10x wrap for decades. It’s especially useful for measuring GFCI leakage currents with a clamp meter that only reads down to 10mA resolution. Look two/thirds of the way down this article for an example.
https://rvelectricity.substack.com/p/noshockzone-part-10-gfci-testing