Clamp Meter VS Multimeter, What Are The Differences And Which Are Better?

The main outstanding difference which can be helpful to you is that a clamp meter can measure high current in any condition or situation, while a multimeter usually has high accuracy and better resolution.

However, clamp meter manages to prevent this particular hypothesis since they may also come with the capabilty of good accuracy specs on voltage and resistance.

What Is The Difference In Their Appearance?

A clamp meter is a clothespin-shaped instrument that can be pressed around a live wire to measure the current it is conveying. its cable control or direct the amperage conductivity.

A clamp meter usually shows measurements to you as a user making your work much easier.

The majority of the clamp meters also present ports for connecting probes to adapt the distinct measurements which approves it to perform many of the similar functions as a multimeter often, this makes it versatile tool too.

The Multi meter

This kind of meter has a dial that has a range that helps you read the measurements.

In the current evolving world these multimeters are mostly digital and available in various models produced by different companies worldwide.

In short, you as a customer have been considered and you can choose from a variety of products.

Multimeters measures resistance by ensuring it injects a small current into the circuit and then measuring the voltage drops across points in the circuit.

The known current and resulting voltage drops are later used to calculate the resistance using OHM LAW. Normally have a selector knob useful to control different current circuits by rotating the handle.

What is the functional difference between a clamp meter and a multimeter?

Clamp meter

A clamp meter is commonly known for measuring current, which is a flow of electricity that results from the ordered directional movement of electrically charged particles.

Since we are conversant with the fact that magnetic heat usually occurs within a conductor when current flows through it, therefore it is very possible to measure current efficiently and conveniently by safely operating a clamp without test leads.

Additionally, it also has features for measuring another parameter. It also ensures that AC current measurement can be made by magnetic induction on coils from alternating current.

The multimeter

Most industries have technicians who prefer to use multimeters since they are more convenient for the nature of their work. They have probes that usually measure voltage between two points making it a desirable tool.

The Ohmmeter usually controls resistance or opposition offered by a circuit while the ammeter measures  direct or alternative current

Multimeters being known for multipurpose use or measurements can measure AC and DC voltages, which is a one-directional flow of electrical charge while AC is associated with the system transmitting power from thousands of volts. AC  and DC current and also measure resistance.

They also measure capacitance by visually inspecting the capacitor and connecting the test leads to capacitor terminals.

Additionally, frequency and time period can also be measured making it a versatile tool. When several multimeters are attached you can measure temperature.

Clamp meters vs Multimeters usage and safety

Safety of workers in an organization should be a priority, this aspect usually favors clamp meters since you can operate them without detaching into power wires, the most fascinating thing is the fact that the meters do not need connection with the conveyor or conductor which does not limit your work.

The best amazing thing about clamps is the fact that it is not compulsory for you to switch off the current conveyor…

Multimeters are known to employ voltage testing, using the two probes near each other can be dangerous to the user.to test the current a multimeter is joined in a series within the circuit requiring the circuit to be detached first making it time-consuming.

It has the potential to cause harm to you, hence can easily inconvenience your work progress. When these two tools are compared, the clamp meter is safer than the multimeter.

Between a clamp meter and multimeter which one is better?

The question of which tool should be chosen over the other is difficult since both tools are useful and both serve the same purpose depending on your need as a customer, though with different ease to use and accuracy this decision is not easy to make.

The clamp meter can be employed to compute current, resistance, voltage, and many other electrical measurement and probes so can a multimeter but a multimeter, especially the digital multimeter gives more accurate results, and when additionally attached it can also take other measurements such as temperature.

Although a multimeter carries out multiple works compared to a clamp meter, the clamp meter is safer since it has a bracket that you can attach a single conductor to without breaking the circuit.

It is also less time-consuming and rarely causes harm therefore it is the better option.