Earth Leakage clamp meters

[Jimmy Boy]

I want to invest in one of these, it's primary function will be for me to measure the mA on circuits where IT is in use, it seems they can be useful to determine where a fault might be on a circuit, I would be greatful for you opinions on these options.What i can't quite fathom and hoping someone can shed light on is the ranges, I want to read right down from say 1 mA - 30 mA, there is also a huge price difference on these products.

ATB J

TM-EL9809 High Resolution AC Earth Leakage Clamp Meter

Metrel MD 9270 Earth leakage clamp with Power functions

 

[snowhead]

The meter I used to have with a previous employer and all the meters I've looked at trying to get my current? employer to buy, were in the £300 to £400 range.

The resolution on the second link is only 10ma, you won't read 1ma.

More like this is what you need;

Kewtech KEW 2434 Earth Leakage Clamp Meter

 

[topquark]

Short answer: Both would be fine Jimmy.

Note that neither do DC though (which may not matter unless you're into Solar/car electrics). Also the max voltage on the TM is 400V (may be an issue).

The reason for the price difference (£100) is the Metrel is a TRMS meter (it will compensate for some of the contamination effects from harmonics and the like) and will give you a "more accurate reading" (without the distortion effects). The metrel will also allow you to view the harmonics and power factor for a supply.

The TM-EL9809 would be perfectly adequate for earth leakage in IT environments (appropriate resolution of 10microAmps and a 40milliAmp range) and has the hold, min, max functions (very useful when trying to find intermittent/quickly occuring faults).

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Thanks for your help
J

 

[HandySparks]

The resolution on the second link is only 10ma, you won't read 1ma.

You've misread it mate. The Metrel is a stonking bit of kit. Resolution is 0.01mA (not 0.01A).

 

[topquark]

You've misread it mate. The Metrel is a stonking bit of kit. Resolution is 0.01mA (not 0.01A).

Yep, I've got one

 

[i=p/u]

want one tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. 'because i do .

 

[snowhead]

You've misread it mate. The Metrel is a stonking bit of kit. Resolution is 0.01mA (not 0.01A).

Ah, mA on the next line, not a good way to promote sales.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Perhaps I might go for the Metral then is it the 9270 you have Topquark ?
J

 

[topquark]

Perhaps I might go for the Metral then is it the 9270 you have Topquark ?
J

I have two clamp meters. I have the Metrel MD9270 and an AlphaTek TEK 633 (no longer available).

The Metrel has nice big jaws (slightly bigger internal space than a 50p piece). The AlphaTek only just fits on the tip of my thumb (so would be inadequate for anything over 35mm).

The only reason I bought the Metrel was because the AlphaTek had gone awol. I had lent it to a friend's son for an electrical problem on his car (it works with DC) and was convinced I had put it back in the van afterwards (but hadn't :banghead and they bought it around a couple of months after I'd purchased the Metrel.

Both quite capable of doing most jobs.