This section provides an overview for dc clamp meters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 dc clamp meter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked dc clamp meter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Triplett Test Equipment & Tools, 2.REED Instruments, 3.MULTI MEASURING INSTRUMENTS Co., Ltd..
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Categories Related to DC Clamp Meters
A DC clamp meter is a type of clamp meter that measures direct current (DC).
There are also alternating current (AC) clamp meters and dual-use (AC/DC) clamp meters. However, only a limited number of DC-only clamp meters are available, such as for microcurrent measurement. Normally, dual-use AC/DC clamp meters are used to measure DC current.
Clamp meters can measure the current value flowing through the wire of the circuit to be measured by clamping it between the wires. Normally, when measuring the current value, the circuit must be disconnected, and an ammeter inserted, but with a clamp meter, the wire is simply clamped between the heads, making it an easy and safe method.
As noted in the previous section, DC clamp meters are used for microcurrent measurement and can handle current measurements from 0.1 mA to 100 mA. On the other hand, general AC and DC clamp meters have a measurement range of 10 mA to 100 A or more, making DC clamp meters suitable for use in semiconductor electronic circuits.
Note that there are no DC clamp meters specifically designed for use in DC high-voltage circuits, and AC/DC clamp meters are used. Since clamp meters measure current without disconnecting the circuit, they are relatively safe to work with, even in high-voltage circuits. They are especially useful for electrical work, as they are extremely convenient.
Clamp meters, including DC clamp meters, consist of a clamp section that clamps the wire to be measured and a processing section that converts the strength of the magnetic field detected by the clamp section into a current value and displays it. Normally, when electricity is flowing through a wire, magnetic field lines are generated around the wire. These magnetic field lines are confined in the core of the clamping section.
The clamping section consists of two components: a core made of magnetic material and a means of detecting the magnetic field lines in the core. A part of the core can be split, through which an electric wire is clamped. The core is closed during measurement. The clamps for AC currents are widely used to detect the current flowing through the wire by using the principle of a transformer with a coil wound around the core, but these clamps cannot measure DC currents.
The clamping part that measures DC current is mainly made of a Hall element embedded inside the core. Hall elements use the Hall effect, which outputs a voltage corresponding to the density of magnetic field lines in the core, and thus can measure current even for DC. Hall elements also respond to alternating current, so the current value flowing through the cable can be calculated by measuring its output voltage.
Therefore, clamping parts using Hall elements are mostly compatible with both AC and DC currents, but they have the disadvantage that if the core is magnetized, the effect will cause a large measurement error in the current value. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the residual magnetism of the core periodically. The part of obtaining the current flowing in the wire from the output voltage of the Hall element is handled by the processing section.
1. Clamping Method
Operation of the clamp meter is extremely simple: just clamp the cable on the head. Placing the cable in the center of the head minimizes the measurement error, but even a slight misalignment will not have a significant effect.
2. Direction of Current
When measuring DC current, care must be taken to determine the direction of the current flowing through the cable. The head of a typical clamp meter is marked with a "+" and "-" symbol. This is a guide to indicate the direction of the current. When the DC current flows from "+" to "-", it is a positive current value, and when it flows from "-" to "+", it is a negative current value.
3. Leakage Current Measurement
When measuring the current flowing through a device, either the outward or return cable is passed through the head. However, if there is a leakage current inside the device, part of the current flows to ground (earth), resulting in a slightly lower return current than the outward current.
Therefore, measuring the current flowing across the ground wire with a clamp between them can be regarded as leakage current. Since the leakage current is only a few mA to several tens of mA, a clamp meter dedicated to DC measurement is also suitable for this application.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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REED Instruments was established in 2004 and is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. The company is a manufacturer of portable precision test and measurement instruments. Its product range goes over 200 instruments and includes moisture meters, temperature meters, humidity meters, and more. REED Instruments has been developing cutting-edge test and measurement technologies, and its products are used by a wide range of customers, including industrial, commercial, and educational institutions. Along with the outstanding quality products, the company sell its products mainly through an authorized distribution network in North America.
Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Fluke is an American-born company operating since 1948. Fluke offers a variety of testing equipment including digital multimeters, thermal cameras, solar PV testing equipment, thermometers, oscilloscopes, leak detection devices, as well as testing-equipment related accessories. Fluke offers direct online sales.
Triplett Test Equipment & Tools, established in 1904 and located in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a manufacturer of specialized testers, acquired by Jewell Instruments in 2007. The company offers a diverse range of products across six major categories, including electrical test and measurement, voice data and video test, security camera test, and vision and inspection. Additionally, it provides specialty tools and toolkits, such as the home theater installation 5-piece tool kit and electrical essentials 4-piece tool kit.
Keysight Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1939 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Keysight is a global developer and manufacturer of electronic design and test solutions to communications, networking, aerospace, defense, and government, automotive, energy, semiconductor, electronic, and education industries. Keysight’s communications solutions group solutions include electronic design automation software; radio frequency and microwave test solutions, hardware and virtual network test platforms and software applications, as well as optical laser source solutions. Keysight’s electronic industrial solutions group offers various design tools and verification tools. Keysight offers product support, technical support, and training and consulting services. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, resellers, and manufacturer's representatives.
Mextech Technologies Pvt. Ltd., established in 2013 in India, is a specialized manufacturer of precision testing and measuring tools and equipment. The company's range of portable and professional measuring products includes a wide range of handheld water activity meters, coating thickness gauges, analog clamp meters, and digital force gauges. Mextech Technologies Pvt. Ltd.'s products are used both by individual trade professionals, companies, and research organizations. The company also offers direct sales and delivery, maintenance, repair, and support services.
Zhejiang CHINT Instrument & Meter Co., Ltd. (Chint Meter), founded in 1998 and currently a subsidiary of Zhejiang Chint Electrics (CHINT Group), is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, specializing in smart metering solutions. The company's product portfolio includes energy meters, such as electromechanical meters, single-phase prepaid and smart meters, three-phase prepaid and power meters, three-phase energy meters, and smart energy meters. The company also provides both smart and mechanical gas meters, alongside various water meters. The company further extends its offerings to industrial instruments, featuring analog and digital panel meters, portable meters, as well as humidity and temperature meters.
Dongguan Habotest Instrument Technology Co., Ltd, formed in 2018 and based in Dongguan, China, is a manufacturer of a broad collection of measuring products. The company specifically produces handheld digital multimeters, digital clamp meters, pen-type voltage testers, plug socket testers, and environmental testers. It also manufactures handheld digital anemometers, digital wood moisture meters, smart gas leak detectors, digital lux meters, and digital decibel meters. Its handheld digital multimeters can measure voltage between 0-600 V, measure current between 0-600 A, measure resistance between 0-60M ohms, and measure capacitance between 0-9.99 mF.
OWON - Fujian Lilliput Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd is based in China since 1990 as a manufacturer and supplier of test and measurement equipment. The company produces Digital Oscilloscopes available as handheld, virtual, tablet, and benchtop types as well as probes. They have Single Channel and Dual Channel Waveform Generators, along with Digital Multimeters and Programmable DC series Power Suppliers. There are also different types of Thermal Imagers, Spectrum Analyzers, and Anenmo Meters that can provide more than one kind of measurement.
Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation was founded in Japan in 1954. Yokogawa currently serves a wide array of industries including the aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, semiconductor and telecommunications industries with both hardware and software solutions. Among Yokogawa’s suite of products are oscilloscopes, voltage probes, power analyzers and meters, data acquisition tools, optical test equipment, a wide variety of handled meters, calibrators, and testers; analog instruments, and manometers.
Fieldpiece Instruments Ltd, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Northampton, England, is a manufacturer of professional-grade handheld instruments exclusively serving the HVACR field service industry. It offer a diverse range of products, including solutions for faster evacuation, leak detectors with high sensitivity, rugged wireless vacuum gauges, digital manifolds for refrigerant management, and efficient vacuum pumps. These products are designed to enhance safety and efficiency for HVACR professionals across various industries.
Founded in 1940, Kyoritsu has an 80 year history as a customer-focused organization specializing in multimeters. Kyoritsu provides analog multimeters as well as digital multimeters with and without clamps offering many varieties of measurement.
Fujian Lilliput Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., established in 1990 and headquartered in Fujian, China, is a manufacturer that specializes in test and measurement development and manufacturing. The company’s products include oscilloscopes, waveform generators, digital multimeters, power supplies, and analyzers. It also offers services related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of its products. Its oscilloscopes have a high sample rate with deep memory and a high waveform capture rate. It provides test and measurement equipment to a wide range of industries, including but not limited to electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and education.
Fieldpiece is a developer and manufacturer of professional-grade tools for the HVACR sector, incorporated in 1990 and headquartered in Anaheim, California. The company has over 200 products covering electrical meters, air flow and temp/RH, digital manifolds, leak detectors, and combustion testers and analyzers. These products are designed to measure and diagnose heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. The company also provides services to its customers, including technical support, product training, repairs, and calibration. It has operations in the US, UK, and Europe.
Teledyne FLIR LLC, originally known as FLIR Systems and founded in 1978, is an American manufacturer headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, specializing in thermal imaging cameras and sensors, now operating as a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) offers handheld and fixed mount thermal cameras, thermal security cameras, thermography cameras, machine vision cameras, and gas detection cameras. They provide airborne systems, unmanned aerial and ground systems, land and maritime systems, and traffic management software. These products find applications in various fields and industries, such as airborne law enforcement, border and maritime patrol, critical infrastructure and force protection, search and rescue operations.
UNI-TREND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. was established in 1988 and is a manufacturers of measuring and imaging devices based in Dongguan, Guangdong, China. The company produces various products such as digital multimeters, electrical power testers, DC electronic loads, handheld thermal cameras, and thermal imaging monoculars. The products are used in various applications such as industry electricity, environment monitoring, communication, photovoltaic power station, and ranging and mapping. The company has obtained ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
Multi Measuring Instruments Co., Ltd. was founded in Chiba, Japan in 1986 and is headquartered in Tokyo. As per its namesake, Multi offers a vast array of measuring and testing equipment used across a number of industries. Some of their offerings include voltage meters, network testers, lux meters, cable locators, sound meters, various thermometers, gas analyzers, and water quality meters. Multi Measuring Instruments has a mission for its products to improve the global environment by detecting inefficiencies and leaks, developing products that will be useful for solar and wind power generation.
Kaise Corporation, established in 1955 and headquartered in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic measuring instruments. Its product lineup includes battery checkers, jump starters, code readers, as well as oscilloscopes, and circuit testers, primarily used in automotive maintenance. Additionally, the company offers digital multimeters, clamp meters, and insulation resistance meters. Its SK-8550 Battery Checker received the 2016 Maintenance Support Award at the Automotive Newspaper Accessories Awards.
Klein Tools is a fifth-generation family-run producer of hand tools founded in 187 and headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Klein Tools sells worldwide directly and through distributors. Klein Tools has a family of companies under its brand including Alco, Civitella, Mumme Tools, Tulmex, and Wattmaster. Klein Tools serves several industries including construction, HVAC/R, plumbing, telecom, municipal, and industrial. Some of the tools Klein Tools produces include non-contact voltage tester bens, multi-bit screwdrivers, digital circuit breaker finders, advanced circuit tracer kits, and multi-bit electronics screwdrivers.
Mastech Group, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a manufacturer and distributor of electronic testing and measurement instruments. The company specializes in offering a wide range of products, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power supplies. These products serve industries such as electronics, telecommunications, and manufacturing, providing essential tools for precise measurement and testing. The company adheres to the International Electrotechnical Commission, following both safety and environmental standards with CE, ETL, UL, and GS certification.
SANWA ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT CO., LTD, founded in 1941 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic measurement and testing equipment. The company specializes in producing various instruments, including multimeters, clamp meters, and power analyzers. These products serve industries such as electronics, automotive, and energy, providing essential tools for precision measurement and testing. Its products are also utilized in various applications, ensuring accurate data for professionals and technicians. The company is ISO 9001 and UKAS certified, providing quality management systems.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Triplett Test Equipment & Tools |
11.4%
|
2 | REED Instruments |
9.1%
|
3 | MULTI MEASURING INSTRUMENTS Co., Ltd. |
9.1%
|
4 | Metravi Instruments Pvt. Ltd. |
6.8%
|
5 | FLUKE Corporation |
6.8%
|
6 | KAISE CORPORATION. |
6.8%
|
7 | SANWA ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT CO., LTD |
4.5%
|
8 | Fieldpiece Instruments Ltd |
4.5%
|
9 | Fieldpiece |
4.5%
|
10 | HIOKI E.E. CORPORATION |
4.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the dc clamp meter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 5 | 31.3% |
Japan | 5 | 31.3% |
China | 3 | 18.8% |
India | 2 | 12.5% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 6.3% |
4 products are listed.
Testo SE & Co. KGaA
80+ people viewing
Testo 770-3 is a true effective value-type AC/DC clamp meter. As Joe opens vertically, you can easily measure the location where the wires are dens...
Testo SE & Co. KGaA
60+ people viewing
Testo 770-1 is a true effective value-type AC/DC clamp meter. Measure current such as electric wires and conductors in non -contact. Joe slides ver...
Custom Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
The current value can be measured simply by pinching it without cutting the circuit. A clamp meter that can check the voltage, resistance, conduct...
Custom Co., Ltd.
40+ people viewing
■ A clamp meter that can measure AC current and DC current. ・ Measurement of rush current is possible. It is possible to measure large current tha...