Solar Lattice

Tool

Clamp meter

ID
tool:clamp-meter
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/tool/clamp-meter
Status
active
Also known as
AC/DC clamp meter, current clamp, clamp ammeter, clamp-on ammeter, AC/DC Current Clamp, dc clamp meter, current probe, Ampèremeettang
Category
Instruments
Tool kind
instrument

A clamp meter measures current without breaking the circuit. Some models measure both AC and DC current, others measure AC only, and all but the cheapest give true RMS readings. Most clamp meters have their own display and also measure voltage. A clamp-on probe does the same job when connected to a standard digital multimeter. SMA inverter manuals list a current clamp as equipment for checking that no voltage is present before work. PV operations and maintenance guides include a DC clamp meter in the tool set for string and combiner box checks, along with an irradiance meter and PPE. A clamp-on ammeter is also used alongside an IR camera during thermal inspections. Connected through a 4 mm terminal, an AC/DC current clamp lets the Seaward PV200 measure operating current from 0.1 A to 40.0 A and, together with its PV terminals, DC operating power. Power clamp versions can be used on both the AC and DC sides of an operating inverter. They show true RMS current, voltage and power, and can analyse harmonics up to the 25th. Some thermal cameras receive clamp meter readings over Bluetooth and store them with the thermal image, so readings do not have to be written down by hand.

<!-- review notes

Claims

uses_protocol

c1 verified · fact Bluetooth

Some clamp meters send readings wirelessly to FLIR thermal cameras via Bluetooth MeterLink, which stores them in the thermal image.

verified by: review-workflowverified on: 2026-10-24

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Data