Amprobe, a Fluke company, has come out with some new current clamp meters. They sent over 3 of the new models for our evaluation, and although I haven’t yet used them for a good project (although one might be coming up soon), I was able to do some bench testing.
Current clamps wrap around single wires (wires, not cables) to provide a non-destructive way of measuring current flow. They can also measure the current draw of plugged-in devices if you use a line splitter between the device and an outlet.
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These are the 3 new clamp meters I’ll be discussing:
- AMP-25 AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter
- AMP-210 AC Clamp Meter
- AMP-310 AC Clamp Meter
AMP-25 AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter
The AMP-25 is an AC/DC clamp meter, and it’s a compact one at that. This is my favorite current meter of the bunch, despite its seemingly fewer features.
It’s useful to be able to measure DC current without breaking a circuit, and although it’s possible with other tools (read up on my Fluke i30 hall effect sensor test lead selection here), you often need a DC current tester and a separate multimeter. This little guy measures DC current all on its own.
It’s easy to use, fairly well spec’ed, and fits in my pocket. I wouldn’t want to carry it in my pocket all the time, but that’s why it comes with a belt pouch.
Downside: It’s powered by LR44 batteries, but they should last a long time and are easily replaced.
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Quick Info
- 300A max AC/DC current range
- 60A lower current range with higher resolution
- True-RMS
- Low pass filter for use on variable frequency drives
- Inrush current (for motor startup or high initial current surge situations)
- Non-contact voltage detector
- DCA zero and data hold
Street Price: $176
Buy Now(via Amazon)
More Info(via Amprobe)
AMP-210 AC Current Meter
The AMP-210, which was sent as a representative of Amprobe’s AMP-200-series of meters which also includes the AMP-220 AC/DC current meter, has a clamp meter component and shrouded banana jacks for test lead connection.
Quick Info
- True-RMS
- Low pass filter for variable frequency drives
- Amp-tip function for precise measurements on small wires
- 600A max current range
- 600V max AC/DC voltage
- 2xAAA batteries
- Can also measure frequency, resistance, capacitance, diode test, continuity
- Non-contact voltage tester
The AMP-210 can only measure AC current, the AMP-220 can measure AC and DC current, although the DC current is only measurable via test leads.
I almost dismissed this model as a no-frills meter, but it can tackle a great deal of test and measurement tasks.
Street Price: $117
Buy Now(via Amazon)
More Info(via Amprobe)
AMP-310 AC Clamp Meter
The AMP-310 was sent as a representative of the AMP-300 family, which also includes the AMP-320 AC/DC meter and AMP-330 AC/DC meter.
The AMP-310 is designed for HVAC applications, the AMP-320 for electrical motor maintenance, and the AMP-330 is aimed at industrial users for motor-specific applications. These are loose guidelines, but reflect the feature sets of the individual tools.
Compared to the AMP-310, the AMP-320 offers DC current measurements, and compared to both models the AMP-330 additionally offers a peak hold (crest) measurement mode, and a work light. The AMP-330 also has a larger jaw and can handle higher voltages and current limits.
Quick Info
- True-RMS
- Low pass filter for variable frequency drives
- Amp-tip function for precise measurements on small wires
- Motor testing: 3-phase, motor rotation, inrush current, phase sequence
- 600A max current range
- 600V max AC/DC voltage
- 2xAAA batteries
- Can also measure frequency, resistance, capacitance, diode test, continuity, temperature
- Includes K-type thermocouple
- Non-contact voltage tester
I’m going to be honest here – I’ve never had a 3-probe meter before. Without Google or some time on Amprobe’s website, I wouldn’t know that the third connection was for 3-phase and motor rotation testing.
Except for the fancier features that I couldn’t test, the AMP-310 seems to be a capable and great quality instrument.
Compared to the 200-series meters, the AMP-310 offers microamp measurements, temperature measurements with the included thermocouple, inrush current, and the aforementioned 3-phase and motor rotation testing. Scroll back up a little for the differences between all 3 AMP-300-series meters.
Street Price: $161
Buy Now(via Amazon)
More Info(via Amprobe)
More First Thoughts
I believe this was my first-ever experience, or rather experiences, with Amprobe test and measurement tools. I’m a big Fluke fan, and also an Agilent/Keysight fan, at least when it comes to benchtop instruments. My Agilent/Keysight 34461A multimeter – here’s the mini review – was pricey but is an excellent piece of equipment.
Before all this, I was an Extech fan (and still am).
I didn’t know what to think of Amprobe, which probably should have been expected seeing as how they’re under Fluke’s umbrella.
I still don’t know what to think of Amprobe as a brand, but I do like these meters. They’re solidly built, and after scrutinizing their datasheets, I think they’ve got good specs. They’re very functional, and affordably priced. And in testing, they met and even exceed my expectations. I really do like that small AMP-25 meter!
I like the AMP-25 so much, partly because it can measure both AC and DC current without disrupting a circuit, but also because it’s a great complement for a regular multimeter. Instead of having to lug around separate clamp test leads, or pricey hall effect sensor test leads for DC measurements, you have this tiny standalone meter that doesn’t require anything else.
Sure, the AMP-25 only measures one thing, but it does it well. Okay, it does two things – it also has that non-contact voltage detector. So it does two things well.
Although I’m throwing much praise at the AMP-25, that doesn’t mean the AMP-210 and AMP-310 I tested aren’t up to snuff, because they are. They’re solid, well-featured, and reasonably priced meters.
I found that the product specs weren’t as exact to my liking (what’s the absolute lowest current the AMP-25 can reliably measure?), I really appreciate that Amprobe offers a comparison chart to help interested buyers sort out the different meters’ differences. With some other test and measurement brands, I’ve had to look over long datasheets line by line in order to tell the differences.
This was only a “hands-on,” as opposed to a full-fledged review because I have limited experience with commercial use of clamp meters. I’ve used my Fluke hall effect clamp meter test leads plenty, but in more of a specialty industrial or R&D capacity.
I can tell you my opinion about these meters, but unfortunately cannot comment on how well the 300-series measures 3-phase motor rotation. Or how spot-on the 200-series meter measures current or voltages near its 600A and 600V measurement range ceilings. I’ve got some beefy power supplies that can deliver a lot of current, but even with the 10X multiplier on my AC splitter, I can’t get anywhere near 600A.
Overall, these meters get my thumbs up. I’ll find some use for the AMP-210 and AMP-310 meters, but I have a feeling that the AMP-25 will see a lot more use.
This is what I love about writing for ToolGuyd – it gave me the opportunity to test out a brand of product that I would never have considered or even looked at for my own use. As I said I’m an Extech, Fluke, and Keysight (formerly Agilent) kind of guy. Amprobe sent me samples of a product category I am not strongly interested in, and I ended up impressed. I love it when this happens.
Thank you to Amprobe for supplying the review samples unconditionally!
Jerry
From looking at the specs, I like the little guy the best, as well. I noticed it has inrush current testing, which might not be for most users, but I am surrounded by equipment driven by electric motors, and that sort of thing can be very helpful. To oversimplify, electric motors take much more current to get up to speed than they do when running, even at full load. Knowing the inrush current gives an idea of the starting load, can indicate a weak star capacitor or starting circuit, etc. Also, if you are putting in new wiring to an existing motor where the spec plate might be unreadable (not just missing, sometimes a motor can be mounted in a machine in such a way that it is impossible to get to), and knowing the current under load, as well as the inrush current can help an electrician select the proper overload settings for that particular motor/application. I occasionally work on motors, and the meters I have seen that test inrush can get pricey, so I checked out pawn shops and flea markets until I found an old analog meter, and basically just watched the needle as best as I could on startup (can’t justify spending too much for something I maybe use once a year). For what it does, the price seems pretty fair.
The only other thing I wonder, is do they measure fluctuating current? I ask this because most digital meters have a delay in the display so that the numbers read steady instead of changing constantly. This is usually a good thing, but more than once, I realized the problem was a loose connection because the needle on my antique analog meter would unexpectedly twitch, then jump back to the proper reading.
Mike aka Fazzman
Cool,I have several other Amprobe meters I used in college and still use at home. They are nice.
Bruce
A little DC clamp can be nice. I usually don’t worry too much about the low end on clamp meters because you can always multi-wrap around the jaws to increase apparent amperage.
After 10 years of working with three phase loads, I’m still scratching my head on the need for a three phase meter. Checking rotation sounds like a good idea, maybe it’s handy for the power line tech. For loads I usually make sure I’ve got a nicely balanced reading between the different phases and test the run the load for rotation.
Jerry
Center pivot irrigation systems require as many as 10 motors that all need to be phased to run it the same direction. I can see it as a major time saver, to get them all phased properly the first time, as they are nearly a quarter mile from the center to the last motor.