Skip to main content

Other Fluke companies:

Fluke Calibration Fluke Biomedical Fluke Networks Fluke Process Instruments
  • Accelix
  • Amprobe
  • Beha-Amprobe
  • Comark
  • Landauer
  • Pacific Laser Systems
  • Pomona
  • RaySafe
  • Schad
  • Pruftechnik

Select your country site

  • Africa and Middle East
    Africa
    ( English | Français )
    Middle East
    ( English )
  • Americas
    Argentina
    ( Español )
    Costa Rica
    ( Español )
    Mexico
    ( Español )
    Bolivia
    ( Español )
    Dominican Republic
    ( Español )
    Peru
    ( Español )
    Brazil
    ( Português )
    Ecuador
    ( Español )
    United States
    ( English | Español )
    Canada
    ( English | Français )
    El Salvador
    ( Español )
    Uruguay
    ( Español )
    Chile
    ( Español )
    Guatemala
    ( Español )
    Venezuela
    ( Español )
    Colombia
    ( Español )
  • Asia Pacific
    Australia
    ( English )
    Japan
    ( 日本 )
    South Korea
    ( 한국어 )
    China
    ( 中国 )
    Malaysia
    ( English )
    Taiwan
    ( Chinese Traditional )
    India
    ( English )
    Philippines
    ( English )
    Thailand
    ( English | ภาษาไทย )
    Indonesia
    ( English | Bahasa )
    Singapore
    ( English )
    Vietnam
    ( English | Tiếng Việt Vietnam )
  • Europe
    Austria
    ( Deutsch )
    Ireland
    ( English )
    Rest of Europe
    ( English )
    Belgium
    ( Français | Dutch )
    Italy
    ( Italiano )
    Spain
    ( Español )
    Czechia
    ( Czech )
    Netherlands
    ( Dutch )
    Sweden
    ( Swedish )
    Denmark
    ( Dansk )
    Norway
    ( Norsk )
    Switzerland
    ( Deutsch | Français )
    Finland
    ( Finish )
    Poland
    ( Polski )
    Turkey
    ( Türkçe )
    France
    ( Français )
    Portugal
    ( Português )
    United Kingdom
    ( English )
    Germany
    ( Deutsch )
  • Russia
    Russia
    ( Russian )

Select your country site

  • Africa and Middle East
    • Africa English
    • Africa Français
    • Middle East English
  • Americas
    • Argentina Español
    • Colombia Español
    • Bolivia Español
    • Brazil Português
    • Canada English
    • Canada Français
    • Chile Español
    • Costa Rica Español
    • Dominican Republic Español
    • Ecuador Español
    • El Salvador Español
    • Guatemala Español
    • Mexico Español
    • Peru Español
    • United States English
    • United States Español
    • Uruguay Español
    • Venezuela Español
  • Asia Pacific
    • Australia English
    • China 中国
    • India English
    • Indonesia English
    • Indonesia Bahasa
    • Japan 日本
    • Malaysia English
    • Philippines English
    • Singapore English
    • South Korea 한국어
    • Taiwan Chinese Traditional
    • Thailand English
    • Thailand ภาษาไทย
    • Vietnam English
    • Vietnam Tiếng Việt Vietnam
  • Europe
    • Austria Deutsch
    • Belgium Français
    • Belgium Dutch
    • Belgium Français
    • Belgium Dutch
    • Czechia Czech
    • Denmark Dansk
    • Finland Finish
    • France Français
    • Germany Deutsch
    • Ireland English
    • Italy Italiano
    • Netherlands Dutch
    • Norway Norsk
    • Poland Polski
    • Portugal Português
    • Rest of Europe English
    • Spain Español
    • Sweden Swedish
    • Switzerland Deutsch
    • Switzerland Français
    • Turkey Türkçe
    • United Kingdom English
  • Russia
    • Russia Russian
Fluke
  • Products
      • Accessories
        • See all
      • Building infrastructure
        • HVAC tools
        • Indoor air quality testing
        • Industrial Ethernet tools
        • Laser distance meters
        • Laser levels
        • Network cable testers
      • Calibration tools
        • Fluke Calibration
        • mA loop calibrators
        • Multifunction calibrators
        • Pressure calibrators
        • Temperature calibrators
      • Electrical tools
        • Basic electrical testers
        • Battery analyzers
        • Clamp meters
        • Digital multimeters
        • Earth ground
        • Installation testers
        • Insulation testers
        • Insulated tools
        • Portable appliance testers
        • Portable oscilloscopes
        • Power quality
      • Fluke software
        • Fluke Calibration software
        • Fluke Networks software
        • Fluke SmartView
      • Industrial imaging
        • See all
      • Intrinsically safe
        • See all
      • Mechanical maintenance
        • Laser alignment
        • Vibration analysis
      • Temperature measurement
        • Contact thermometers
        • IR thermometers
      • Thermal imaging
        • IR windows
        • Thermal cameras
        • Visual IR thermometers
      • Awards
      • New Fluke products
      • Test tools catalog
  • Learn
      • Best practices
        • Custody transfer
        • Electrical inspection
        • Energy efficiency
        • Equipment and production line testing
        • Fluid systems
        • Measurement basics
        • Motors and drives
        • Pressure calibration
        • Preventive maintenance
        • Safety
        • Temperature calibration
        • Test tools basics
      • Blog
      • Fluke education partnership program
      • Leak detector
      • Library
      • Online courses
      • Tools and calculators
        • Air leakage calculator
        • FOV calculator
      • Tradeshows and seminars
      • Webinars
  • Support
      • About us
        • Careers
        • Companies
        • Contact us
        • Corporate profile
        • Directions
        • Integrity
      • Calibration Services
      • Manuals
      • Press releases
      • Product registration
      • Repair
      • Return materials authorization
      • Safety notices
      • Service center locations
      • Software downloads
      • Warranties
  • Where to buy
      • Where to buy
      • Promotions and contests
Privacy policy
Talk to Sales
How to measure current
Measuring ac current with a clamp meter’s jaws. Note: Current flowing in opposite directions cancels each other. If current is moving in opposite directions, place just one conductor within the clamp during measurement.

How to measure current

Steps for measuring ac or dc current using a clamp meter's jaws:

Pre-measurement steps (to avoid electrical shock or personal injury):

  • Disconnect test probes from the meter.
  • Keep fingers behind tactile barrier on face of meter.
  1. Turn the dial to the proper function, either A ac or A dc. You should see the jaws icon ( Jaws icon ) in the display, indicating that the measurement is coming from the jaw.
  2. Note: When the measured current is < 0.5 A, the center dot in the display icon ( Jaws icon ) will flash on and off. When current is > 0.5 A, the center dot will be steady.
  3. Before taking dc current measurements (if your meter is equipped to do so): Wait for the display to stabilize, then push the Zero button to ensure correct readings. Zeroing the meter removes dc offset from the reading. The Zero function works only when the dial is set in in the dc current measurement position.
  4. Note: Before zeroing the meter, make sure the jaws are closed and no conductor is inside the jaw.
  5. Press the jaw release level, open the jaws and insert the conductor to be measured inside the jaw.
  6. Close the jaw; center the conductor using alignment marks on the jaw.
  7. View the reading in the display.

To measure ac current using a flexible current probe:

Pre-measurement steps (to avoid electrical shock or personal injury):

  • Do not apply the flexible probe around, or remove it from, hazardous live conductors. Take special care during fitting and removal of the flexible probe.
  • De-energize the installation under test or wear suitable protective clothing.
How to measure current
  1. Connect the flexible current probe to the meter. See illustration above.
  2. Connect the probe's flexible tubing around the conductor. If you are opening the end of the flexible probe to make the connection, be sure to close and latch it. You should be able to hear and feel the probe lock into place.
    • Note: When measuring current, center the conductor in the flexible current Probe. If possible, avoid taking measurements close to other current-carrying conductors.
  3. Keep the probe coupling more than 1 inch (2.5cm) away from the conductor.
  4. Turn the dial to the Clamp Icon icon. When the dial is in the correct position, Clamp icon shows on the display, meaning that the readings are coming from the flexible probe.
    • Note: When the measured current is < 0.5 A, the center dot in the display icon ( Clamp icon ) will flash on and off. With current > 0.5 A, the center dot will be steady.
  5. View the current value in the display.

If a flexible probe does not perform as expected:

  1. Inspect the coupling system to make sure that it is connected and closed correctly or for any damage. If any foreign material is present, the coupling system will not close properly.
  2. Inspect the cable between the probe and meter for any damage.
  3. Verify the dial is in the correct position ( Clamp Icon ).
Find the right clamp meter

Recommended products

Fluke 381 Remote Display True RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex®
Fluke 381 Remote Display True RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex®
Fluke 376 True RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex®
Fluke 376 True RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex®
Fluke 325 True RMS Clamp Meter
Fluke 325 True RMS Clamp Meter
Fluke 355 True RMS 2000 A Clamp Meter
Fluke 355 True RMS 2000 A Clamp Meter
©2019 Fluke Corporation. Specifications subject to change without notice. 6005110

Products

  • Where to buy
  • Manuals
  • Product registration

Company

  • Careers
  • Companies
  • Integrity
  • Supplier handbook

Customer service

  • Contact us
  • Directions
  • Safety notices
Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Instagram
Fluke. Keeping your world up and running.®
  • Privacy policy
  • Fluke terms of use
  • Fluke terms and conditions of sale
  • Fluke terms and conditions of service
  • Feedback
  • Site map
©1995 - 2019 Fluke Corporation
    • Products
      • Accessories
        • See all
      • Building infrastructure
        • HVAC tools
        • Indoor air quality testing
        • Industrial Ethernet tools
        • Laser distance meters
        • Laser levels
        • Network cable testers
      • Calibration tools
        • Fluke Calibration
        • mA loop calibrators
        • Multifunction calibrators
        • Pressure calibrators
        • Temperature calibrators
      • Electrical tools
        • Basic electrical testers
        • Battery analyzers
        • Clamp meters
        • Digital multimeters
        • Earth ground
        • Installation testers
        • Insulation testers
        • Insulated tools
        • Portable appliance testers
        • Portable oscilloscopes
        • Power quality
      • Fluke software
        • Fluke Calibration software
        • Fluke Networks software
        • Fluke SmartView
      • Industrial imaging
        • See all
      • Intrinsically safe
        • See all
      • Mechanical maintenance
        • Laser alignment
        • Vibration analysis
      • Temperature measurement
        • Contact thermometers
        • IR thermometers
      • Thermal imaging
        • IR windows
        • Thermal cameras
        • Visual IR thermometers
      • Awards
      • New Fluke products
      • Test tools catalog
    • Learn
      • Best practices
        • Custody transfer
        • Electrical inspection
        • Energy efficiency
        • Equipment and production line testing
        • Fluid systems
        • Measurement basics
        • Motors and drives
        • Pressure calibration
        • Preventive maintenance
        • Safety
        • Temperature calibration
        • Test tools basics
      • Blog
      • Fluke education partnership program
      • Leak detector
      • Library
      • Online courses
      • Tools and calculators
        • Air leakage calculator
        • FOV calculator
      • Tradeshows and seminars
      • Webinars
    • Support
      • About us
        • Careers
        • Companies
        • Contact us
        • Corporate profile
        • Directions
        • Integrity
      • Calibration Services
      • Manuals
      • Press releases
      • Product registration
      • Repair
      • Return materials authorization
      • Safety notices
      • Service center locations
      • Software downloads
      • Warranties
    • Where to buy
      • Promotions and contests
    • Other Fluke companies
      • Fluke Calibration
      • Fluke Biomedical
      • Fluke Networks
      • Fluke Process Instruments
      • See more Fluke brands
        • Accelix
        • Amprobe
        • Beha-Amprobe
        • Comark
        • Emaint CMMS
        • Landauer
        • Pacific Laser Systems
        • Pomona
        • Pruftechnik
        • RaySafe
        • Schad