How a AC/DC Clamp-Meter works

[@3th1xs]

If you are looking for just the DC explanation skip to 14:00.

[@eco-jv1vw]

Thank you for the great explanation of how an AC/DC clamp meter works. This video was very informative and helpful.

[@joesoh]

Thanks for the video! Like you've mentioned and thanks to the KZbin as a platform and content creator like you. We can now gain knowledge without having to wait until we enroll into university.

[@squidcaps4308]

I went to school in '91.. i was thinking that it is a shame i don't know how these work, just never thought about finding out.. Hearing that you went to uni and then found out.. i feel a bit better.

[@hikari1690]

Oooh 11 minutes is when things finally gets awesome. Thank you for the informative video!

[@hauffal]

As I watched your excellent video I realized that flux gate compass on aircraft used for many years relates closely to basic principle used on the DC clamp multi-meter. Those gyro stabilized compasses were either electric or vacuum driven and reduced turning and acceleration errors. Today most come equipped with GPS or what we once called magnusson (magnetic flux) compasses. Thank you for filling in a blank for me on this piece of equipment.

[@KainkaLabs]

Well not quite. A flux-gate magnetometer is based on the principle of periodically driving two opposing cores (usually rods) of ferromagnetic material into magnetic saturation with a large current through a coil wound on each core. When the current causing the saturation is released, there is a voltage generated in the coils only if there is an external (earth-) magnetic field present. Without an external magnetic field the voltages cancel each other out. I made some explanations about ferromagnetic materials and saturation in the video about demagnetizing/degaussing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imXUZpyonLB4m9k So the fluxgate magnetometer is based on a clever combination of the principles or effects of magnetic saturation and induction. The fluxgate does not work as a (toroidal-core) transformer as in the AC-measurement mode of a clamp-meter. The DC-measurement mode of a clamp-meter relies on the principle of the hall-effect (caused by the Lorentz-force) which has no relation to the induction principle used in a transformer and in a fluxgate.

[@hauffal]

Thank you for your reply. I learned about flux gate compasses about 1958 while in pilot training and I remember a diagram with a winding on each of 3 legs and an amplifier. These units supplied a null to the gyro compass and which you manually turned until you got an alternating + - flag in a little corner of the gyro compass. They worked very well and compass swings were done on the sending unit by a technician while the pilot followed a set maneuvering procedure on compass swing pads located far from magnetic disturbances common on most airport. I don't remember learning what it was called, but thanks to you I now know it is called the Hall effect. Great video.

[@V2Guerrero]

This is such a great video ! Understanding the basics creates a strong foundation. Thank you !

[@sreenivasanm4303]

Oh great explanation. Thank you very much. I thought the dc clamp meter never existed. It is the hall effect that is the theory behind the dc clamp meter.

[@manjunatha6]

Fantastic explanation and knowledge about the device.. Thank you :)

[@akdsolar]

very good video . Nice way of describing ! sehr gut !

[@dreletronica]

It was left to show the complete assembly circuit with hall effect for measuring DC current

[@nadirnadir7384]

Thanks for the explanation it's very helpful, I was wondering how could I fix a vintage analog clamp meter mounted on electrical cabinet after watching your video now I have an idea where should I start my diagnosis and repair

[@daveoatway6126]

Excellent discussion and explanation. I have been looking for details on the DC current sensing using Hall effect to set up a monitoring system for systems fro dc systems. Now I have some ideas for doing so - without compromising safety. Thank you!

[@ActualAkshay]

Best explanation video ever

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

When measuring DC, could you have the clamp alternating with a AC signal very low voltage. Then with a microchip figuring out what the resistance is going one way on DC?

[@KainkaLabs]

I don´t quite understand. Do you want to measure AC-current with the DC-clamp by calculating the average or RMS value with a microcontroller? That would perhaps be possible but doesn´t make very much sense because of the large possible DC-offset errors by earth´s and other stray magnetic fileds etc. It would be much better to have the (much hceaper) AC-clampmeter for AC-currents.

[@dennismayer4936]

Is the ribbon type wire used the change the measurement settings, scale?

[@2dambad806]

Great job ! Very helpful . . Thanks

[@AlexTechWiz]

Great video, I learned something new today. Thank you very much.

[@jumasmarty6643]

excellent exploration

[@georgematheson3787]

What about open fork meters such as fluke t5?

[@itsmekennyd]

cool I'm wanting to build 2000 amp one for a scope. I do alot of diagnostic and lot of cars use 3 phase motors and would like to have 3.

[@dennismayer4936]

Very interesting, you can even measure the magnetic field of the earth.

[@MrSmoothVie]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@anti_globalista]

"transformed in inverse ratio of windings" (13:15) Why inverse? It inducts 10 times more, not 10 times less.

[@surenbono6063]

...great ..but can it calculate wattages yet?

[@KainkaLabs]

No.

[@surenbono6063]

@@KainkaLabs ..mybe a newer version that can do it where combo of voltage & Ampere measurements to calculate it's wattage ..it's been 40 years since developed..it's easier to calculate input output efficiency of solar inverters...

[@JP-ox3yx]

Nice explanation 👍 now I know

[@that1electrician]

You keep saying many windings on secondary side. I think you mean many turns of wire? Because its still just one winding, just like a 3~ motor has only three windings, each winding has many many turns of wire.

[@KainkaLabs]

You´re of course right. I meant "turns" instead of "windings"

[@frenchcreekvalley]

Too bad that you couldn't get any farther with your DC current sensing investigation. I need to get to the meter's LCD readout string so I can record the parasitic current flow from a vehicle using this non-invasive technology. If I can get those data from the meter itself, I can use an Arduino to log the data, over a 24 hour period or so. I have already attempted to read small currents (10ma to about 2 a) with various analog Hall Effect sensors without success.

[@KainkaLabs]

There are certainly semi-professional DC current-clmaps with a USB or Serial output or data-logging capabilities. Of course much more expensive than this one. You can also try to find the right pin of the micricontroller where the analog signal is fed in and then tap this pin and connect it to an analog input of an arduino.

[@AdviSjet]

Thanks

[@philg4116]

If the current is 300ma and it measures 382ma, you can’t say it has any better than 100ma resolution

[@KainkaLabs]

Resolution and accuracy are not the same!

[@philg4116]

@@KainkaLabs yes, but if some relative current offset overwhelms everything, you can't make a true measure of anything in the single digit milliamps here

[@patrick12399]

Ich habe es mir schon gedacht, das du ein deutscher bist :D Man hört es einfach raus :P

[@_kingque_]

Had to put the video on 1.75 speed lol

[@NishantjonyJaiswal]

nice..