How do I measure amp draw from my amp?

[Anonymous 10+ year member]

Just as it says what would I need to do that? I have a clamp meter but it only measures AC current will that work or do I need a meter that measures DC current?

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[dB-SPL 10+ year member]

Volt/Ohm meters are handy little buggers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

-Bill-

 

[Newport 10+ year member]

multimeter radio shack 10 bucks

 

[knukonceptz 10+ year member]

multimeter radio shack 10 bucks

The $10 meter wont measure amps, you need the Clamp type meter, those are often higher priced. Put a small inline fuse in the way, put small fuses in and see how high you can go without blowing them (depending on the fuse type it might be cheaper to go buy the right meter....LOL)

 

[dleccord 5,000+ posts]

you would need two meters.

 

[bose301s 5,000+ posts]

The $10 meter wont measure amps, you need the Clamp type meter, those are often higher priced. Put a small inline fuse in the way, put small fuses in and see how high you can go without blowing them (depending on the fuse type it might be cheaper to go buy the right meter....LOL)

The $10 meter will measure amps, but to measure anything more than about 15 amps and for more than 30 seconds or so you need a clamp meter.

 

[Anonymous 10+ year member]

I have a clamp meter but it only reads AC current will that work?

 

[Anonymous 10+ year member]

can anyone help

 

[Ryley87]

http://www.bcae1.com/wire.htm

that page page has a few different useful calculators, the "system design assistant about 1/3 of the way down will give you a reasonably accurate current draw at clipping measure if thats all your after.

 

[lostdaytomorrow 10+ year member]

What amp (and ohm load are you running it at) and what electrical do you have? We can give a ballpark estimate if you'd like.