Klein Tools HVAC Digital Clamp Meter CL440, unbox and detail look

[@grubbb]

Enjoyed your comprehensive, detailed and very clearly presented review! As an amateur, and a new owner of the CL800, you answered many of my questions without having to read the manual (which I will do now that I have the background you have provided). Thank you!

[@cfldriven]

Thank you for the positive feedback, much appreciated.

[@wallebo]

I just ordered this same exact clamp so this video was exactly what I needed as I am a novice. Thank you for the time and effort that you took to produce this video. It certainly helped me to understand this clamp. I especially didn't know that the thermocouple that comes with it only goes to 356 degrees Farenheit. That, for sure, is good for me to know. Plus, the video wasn't over my head and it was easy for this novice to understand.

[@cfldriven]

Thank you for the feedback. It nice to hear the video was helpful. It can be a challenge to detail the features of a digital multi-meter without overwhelming the viewer.

[@bowalle7623]

@@cfldriven That is exactly why I commented. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort (not to mention skill) that goes into producing a video that allows a novice to understand a product. I put together a 40 gallon parts washer with multiple upgrades and would like to make a video for others to see in the event that someone can benefit from my time, effort, and research on the topic. However, the challenge of producing a clear, complete, concise video on the topic is something that I find daunting at a minimum. So, when I see a video such as yours on a topic that is important to me I feel compelled to let the person know that their efforts were sincerely appreciated. On my best day I would not have the skill to duplicate what went into your video. Kudos, sir.

[@cfldriven]

@@bowalle7623 Thank you, I'm sure not all my videos are clear in concise, but I use viewer feedback to fine tune what I miss. Make your video, show it to friends and listen to their feedback. It always a learning process. Best of luck to you.

[@MrRubenrivera9649]

I have that meter on order and got it for the purpose of reading inrush current. I have others from klein but don't read inrush current. I also have the cl390 for the purpose of reading DC current as well as ac current even if it doesn't read inrush they are great hand tools (klein) and now meters. The fact that it comes with a case and temperature lead plus alligator clips is a plus. Great meter good video sir.

[@cfldriven]

Ruben, the only thing I don't like about this meter is the probe connections on the bottom can easily come loose and give false readings, especially when it is hanging. I also have the CL390 which I like a lot and doesn't have the probe issue.

[@DaveOrth]

When you are talking about the sliding shutter for the thermocouple (16:00), it doesn't just protect the ports, it also locks/blocks out the probes which must be REMOVED before the shutter will open to allow the thermocouple to plug in.

[@cfldriven]

Dave, thank you for sharing your insight.

[@realSamAndrew]

I appreciate the detailed overview of this meter. Is it possible to do a follow up on this where you actually rate and evaluate the meter's functions, quality, and accuracy? That's the typical review seen on other meters where they take many sample readings and compare it to another trusted meter.

[@jpenn727]

Great review, thanks. I wish it could read higher DC Amps (for mini splits) and have a magnet on the back to hold it on the equipment. Any meter labeled as HVAC has to have a magnet.

[@cfldriven]

The CL440 will read up to 600 amps AC only. While the CL390 will read up to 400 amps AC and DC. The magnetic holder is optional, although like you I feel it should be included.

[@profighter1234]

I just bought this device. Please explain @19:31-@1941. I don't want to ruin my device (investment). Thanks for the tutorial BTW! The "when measuring 'ohms' make sure there is no power on the circuit otherwise you will ruin this device". Please provide an example.

[@cfldriven]

Congrats on the meter. In the continuity mode the device provides very small amount of power to circuit and if detected you hear the tone. It not meant to operate with the circuit energized. Same with Ohms mode. Best to decide what is it you want to measure, determine whether the circuit needs to be energized, set the dial, and take a measurement. Thanks for watching.

[@happyseany]

This video is so "to the point" and comprehensive about my new meter! Thank you!\

[@cfldriven]

Hope the video helps you get the most from this meter. Thank you for watching and writing.

[@alfredotrevino-fz6yp]

Best video I have seen for clamp meter

[@cfldriven]

Alfredo, we try, thank you for watching and the kind words.

[@1nkman]

Hi, did you have to set the range with the range button on this meter when using the inrush mode if so how did you set it up? Thanks appreciate it.

[@gillanland]

I didn't get what is "percentage" with frequency measurement (percentage of what?). Thank you.

[@latav8290]

As an amateur , if I were to choose between the CL 440 and CL 800 what would be your recommendation. Thanks very much.

[@cfldriven]

I wanted to read both AC and DC current, the CL 440 is AC current only so I bought the CL390 which does AC and DC current and is cheaper. I find for residential use the CL390 is plenty of meter. If you work with motors the CL440 is worth considering and if you need something that is water resistant, that has a work light, higher AC/DC voltage and tougher build than the CL 800 is worth considering.

[@pipi7731]

I was looking at the CL320 and the CL700 thinking these would be good all around multimeters. In comparison, I was looking at the Ideal 61-747 also. I have a need to check capacitors. Any suggestions would be appreceiated.

[@cfldriven]

I have the CL390 and CL440 and they are both capable of testing capacitors. The CL390 lets you measure both DC and AC current along with being smaller in size. I wanted to get an Ideal to compare, but never got around to it.

[@tomfallon4991]

Good Demo and appraisel

[@cfldriven]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and write.

[@GoodMemoriesToRemeber]

the best

[@cfldriven]

Thanks for watching.

[@mojtabaghambari4837]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@cfldriven]

Mojtaba, thank you for watching.

[@domas4463]

Can it read kilo ohms?

[@cfldriven]

It can read and display from 600 ohms to 60 Mega ohms.

[@williamquintero3387]

Can you read hertz with the clamp

[@cfldriven]

Yes by setting the dial to Hz% and clamping around the positive or negative, but not both, it will give you Hertz reading.

[@r.t.7925]

@@cfldriven positive or negative? Hz means you're measuring AC.

[@cfldriven]

​@@r.t.7925 Wow did I actually write that? The clamp is for reading amps from either the positive or negative wire but not both. To read Hertz the probes are utilized. Thank you for pointing out my error.

[@cfldriven]

Thanks to r.t.7925 for putting out my error. The clamp is for reading amps from either the positive or negative wire but not both. To read Hertz the probes are utilized.

[@r.t.7925]

@@cfldriven On this particular meter clamps only measure AC current. You will not get reading if you clamp positive or negative wire . You'll get a reading if you clamp one wire that carries AC current. You can't measure DC current with the clamp is what I'm trying to explain.

[@nanthavongfamily]

Is this better than the cl450?

[@cfldriven]

All depends on what you are looking for. The CL450 has two temp probes but less of a temp range. CL450 can read up to 1000V AC/DC, beating the CL440 750V AC & 600V DC. Both do 600A AC only, while CL440 can read up to 600 DC microamps and the other stops at 200 DC microamps. In many ways they are similar unless you need a specific parameter. Also the CL450 is no longer in production. Thanks for the question and watching.

[@realSamAndrew]

Why do you need to remove the probes if you're using the clamp? I've owned several clamp meters and watched hundreds of actual field videos of service calls and not one case ever needed or bothered to remove the probes before taking an amp reading. In fact, why do they have a V + A function if you are supposed to remove the probes when using the clamp?

[@cfldriven]

The reason not to do it is to eliminate any potential electrical paths. The same reason you're also suppose to wear insulated gloves and eye protection. Of course in the field people will decide the amount of risk they are willing to accept.

[@realSamAndrew]

@@cfldriven OK, that answers part 1 of the question. What about part 2? If it's unsafe or inaccurate, what's the point of building in a setting where you are *required* to operate in a "non recommended" way to use that feature? Even the user manual contradicts itself on this issue.

[@cfldriven]

@@realSamAndrew I don't know for certain but I suspect when set in the V + A mode a special circuit is being utilized, otherwise the manual states not to leave the probe inserted when measuring with the clamp.