Test Equipment Ammeters

Ammeters

A critical tool in electrical work, ammeters are test equipment that allow the user to test the current across an electrical circuit. This test equipment is also often referred to as a clamp meter when they have small metal jaws that are used to clamp onto a conductor. In some situations this is much more useful than holding a probe in place.

Measurements

While ammeters measure a circuit’s current, they are only one of several types of electric circuit meters and multimeters. You can also have voltmeters or voltage detectors that measure a circuit’s voltage, as well as multimeters, capable of measuring current, voltage and resistance for both AC and DC power. Some models are also capable of measuring other factors such as capacitance and frequency. Different models are able to measure different ranges of these factors and to varying degrees of accuracy.

Functions

Beyond testing and displaying amperage, voltage and resistance, most multimeters come with many other functions. One of the most common is a continuity buzzer, which sounds a buzzer to indicate that an electrical circuit is made. Some ammeters and multimeters come with a data hold function, letting you freeze the readings shown on the display. Many electric circuit meters and multimeters come with a sleep or power saving mode in order to save battery power when the device has been left idle for too long.

Safety

All ammeters and multimeters are made to comply with international safety standards, relevant to the ranges they are capable of measuring. To further ensure the safety of the user and ease of use, many multimeters feature a torch and laser pointer to help in dark or cramped spaces.

Warranty

Even with their durable nature, many brands offer a warranty on their test equipment. Brands like FLIR offer a 10-year warranty on their multimeter’s thermal imaging sensor and a 2-year warranty on all other components.

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