[Boatanchors] Clamp-On Ammeter, THANKS ALL, what I've decided on

[Phil]

First I want to take the opportunity to thank everybody who took the 
time to answer my question, confirming what I thought.

A couple folks suggested just using a precision Low-Ohm resistor in 
series with the load and measuring the Voltage. Good idea but I've 
already bought the Clamp-On (anticipate it'll be useful in other areas 
too). Also think that if I weren't very careful in construction It might 
be a safety hazard, or overheat IF I should put too much current through 
it (don't have any really large low-Ohm resistors).

The meter I bought says it has a resolution of 10mA on the 20 Amp 
range.  I decided to wire a two pin Female Jones Plug (the round kind 
with two different sized flat blades) on an 18ga lamp cord in parallel 
with the lamp socket of the Dim-Bulb-Tester. Then wind a ten turn loop 
on the end of perhaps a 2 foot 18ga lamp cord and put the mating male 
plug on it.  That way the clamp-on can lay off to the side and not be in 
the way.  With no lamp in the socket all the current will go through the 
loop for measurement. . .

That should give me a 2 Amp range with a 1mA resolution (the digital 
meter scale is 1999).  By using the Jones plug it'll be an easy matter 
to make additional loops with a different number of turns if I should 
ever want other customized ranges.

To check calibration of the loops I can temporarily insert one of my 
good DMMs set for a current reading in series with the whole shebang.

When not in use I can store the loops in the DBT case, which is built 
into one of those Harbor Fright aluminum and fiber cases that look like 
a small attache case.


-- 
73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair"
Phil, KO6BB
http://www.qsl.net/ko6bb/  (Web Page)

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