Digital multimeters are measuring instruments that can measure quantities such as voltage, current, and resistance. Measured values are shown on a digital display, allowing them to be read easily and directly, even by first-time users. Some digital multimeters select the measurement range automatically, eliminating the need to choose it manually. Consequently, these instruments are comparatively easy to use, even for beginners. Naturally, analog testers also offer advantages, for example in terms of the ease with which changes in the measured value during measurement can be read and the intuitive ease with which a needle can be viewed in locations where a digital reading might be difficult to see. Since both digital multimeters and analog testers have advantages, you can choose the instrument that’s best for your application by clarifying what you wish to measure.

How to Use Your Digital Clamp Meter

Digital clamp meters ;are great tools, whether you're an experienced professional or an amateur who’s just starting out. We think that everyone should have one in their toolbox.

Inside the hard jaws of your new digital clamp meter is ferrite iron. This is what measures the magnetic field of a current as it flows through a conductor.

A current transformer senses the fluctuations in the magnetic field and converts the value to an AC reading, which shows up on your display. Clamp meters are great for high AC currents, which make them an ideal tool to have around. If you're familiar with how direct currents work, you might wonder how a clamp meter would help you in a situation when you need to measure DC currents instead of AC. Clamp meters that can measure DC current use the Hall Effect to give you a correct measurement.

However, digital clamp meters aren't limited to just AC/DC current measurements. Your purchase may have included extra sensors to make the tool even more versatile.

If that's the case, you can plug test leads into your clamp meter to analyze things like voltage. Here's the best part — unlike old-fashioned test probes, you can use a clamp meter to get a current reading without breaking a circuit. No shutting off circuits, no cutting into wires — just clamp the meter around a wire and get your reading. Safe and convenient.

What is a non-contact voltage tester?

A non-contact voltage tester pen ;is an electrical tester that helps to detect the presence of voltage. Voltage presence is useful information to have when troubleshooting or working on a failed asset. The first tool you'll reach for is a non-contact voltage detector.