Clamp Meters?

[Ben]

Can I get some clamp meter recommendations? I'm finally getting around to testing startup and run draw on the house well. I suppose I could have the electrician do it when he comes out to do the transfer switch, but thought having a clamp meter of my own might come in handy for other stuff.

Probably won't use one a lot, so don't want to go high end, but if the ~$30-40 range meters are crap, I suppose I could up the ducat outlay. I don't need one that additionally has probes, I have a good regular multimeter already. I'll need one that has some kind of "hold" function to grab the startup wattage.

[charby]

This is the one I got

http://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Industries-61-704-Clamp-Meter-Capacitance/dp/B000LE5QOA

But, I don't know why a cheaper one with good reviews would do what you want to do.

[dogmush]

I'll probably get some flak for this, and I use my meters a lot and have upgraded to a Fluke meters but when I was first starting out I had a Harbor Freight inductive meter.  It worked.  It didn't last, but it did give me readings I could use and had peak hold.  I have also used Klein meters like they sell at big box stores.

You'll be several hundred dollars into a Fluke.

A Klein is about $60-$70

HF is like $15.

How often to you think you'll use it, and how important is accuracy?

ETA:  This is the clamp meter that came in the combo kit I have.  It works Great.  It doesn't do DC Amps, if that matters to you. http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-323-True-RMS-Clamp-Meter/dp/B00AQKIEXY

[Ben]

How often to you think you'll use it, and how important is accuracy?

Good questions. I use my regular multimeter I guess not a lot, but throughout the year at my rentals and whatnot. I'm not sure what all I would do with a clamp meter, but I'm also not sure what all they do that I might find handy.

On accuracy, I'm not too bright with electrical stuff. How much accuracy do you need with something like getting the wattage of my well pump? I'm guessing not a lot, but I could be wrong. I just need to be sure I'm close enough to be within the generator's range.

I have needed accuracy with my regular multimeter, but only on small stuff that I couldn't even get the clamp meter on.

If I had more uses for it, I'm not opposed to up to the $100 or so range, and would then rather have a better meter anyway. If it's of limited use, cheaper is better. :)

[Boomhauer]

Klein, Ideal, Amprobe are some brands I'd look at, extech would probably also make a decent clamp meter too. You probably don't need to worry about DC (I do) and AC clamp meters are pretty cheap.

[Hawkmoon]

I have no problems using Harbor Freight meters. I have several of their $3.99 multi-meters -- it allows me to keep one on the workbench and one in each Jeep. I also have two of their clamp-on meters for when I need to measure current draw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=meter

Be a big spender -- toss in the extra two bucks to get the 7-function model.

[MikeB]

I have no problems using Harbor Freight meters. I have several of their $3.99 multi-meters -- it allows me to keep one on the workbench and one in each Jeep. I also have two of their clamp-on meters for when I need to measure current draw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=meter

Be a big spender -- toss in the extra two bucks to get the 7-function model.

I agree.

I have one of these, got it as a Christmas present I think at least 5 years ago. I actually use it fairly often and it has never failed to work. I do have more expensive meters, but I keep this one in the car in a small electrical kit I have and don't worry if something happens to it and since I always have it with me I actually tend to use it more often than more expensive ones I have.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-clamp-meter-96308.html

[Ben]

Well,  I think you guys talked me into making a Harbor Freight run tomorrow. At the price of the clamps there, if it doesn't work for me, who cares? If I decide I want a fancy one, then I have a cheap spare. If it does what I need, win!

Thanks for the advice and links!