Shunned the $40 clamp meter, learned my lesson on a 3 phase job

I used to think spending on a good clamp meter was a waste since my $15 basic one got me by for years. Then last month I had to check amp draw on a 3 phase motor at a warehouse in Dayton and my readings kept jumping all over. Turned out the cheap meter couldn't handle the harmonics, I almost told the guy his motor was bad when it wasn't. Spent $140 on a true RMS clamp meter that same week and it found the real issue, a loose lug on the disconnect. That one replacement saved me from replacing a $1,800 motor on my dime. Now I tell every apprentice to just skip the cheap testers for anything beyond basic voltage checks. Has anyone else had a budget tool cost them more in the long run?

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kimm5214d ago

That's a tough way to learn, but now you know the difference it makes.