The 5 Best DC Current clamps (2023 reviews)

The pdi dc current clamp's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The 60 handheld 60 amp ac/dc current clamp probe allows you to measure ac and dc current without disconnecting the existing wiring. The low amp probe goes to low amp wire gages, no low amp wire is thick, so this probe is adequate. The attenuator attenuates the voltage so your oscilloscope scale can adequately capture the wave form.

This amp clamp will fit around most automotive battery cables to do parasitic draw tests. It works on all meters and Lab Scopes with banana plugs, which the Fluke 88 uses. The Amps ports and settings are for when the Fluke is in the current path, not when using an inductive probe. The jaw opening is small and will not fit over most battery cables.

The quality is good and resolution is detailed. Ideal use of this low current clamp is as an input to a digital storage oscilloscope, as a waveform is easier to see than rapidly changing numbers on a DVOM.

Why We Like This:

Well made and highly useful for automotive computer controlled diagnostics
Works good with meter for quick testing
Works great for the verus pro scope

Best For The money: Hantek DC Current Clamp

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The hantek dc current clamp is capable of outshining several other clamp featured in this list in overall features for the price point. Though it will detect signals below 20mA (it's rated low end) it is pretty noisy so of limited use. This amp reader then measures the amps needed by the starter in order to make each cylinder compress the air inside. The current clamp is a transducer, which allows your multimeter to measure current data and enable your oscilloscope to measure the current waveforms accurately.

The current clamp range is set to 1mv/10ma, the actual current is ten times of the measured current whose unit is ma. It is necessary to turn the zero adjustment knobs on the clamp until the multimeter or scope reads zero. The noise produces a trace that is about 3mV thick, which corresponds to a current of about 30 mA. It is pretty linear with some distortion appearing as its response starts to roll off near the high end of its frequency range.

Why We Like This:

Perfect to evaluate current curve forms, however, the tolerance is higher
Accurate wave form going up to 10khz or more, pretty sharp picture
Good for current measurement of speakers

Best With Amp Clamp: Hantek Amp Probe

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For a low asking price, hantek amp probe has managed to overwhelm their customers by packing as many features as they could. The 650 AC DC current clamp has a bnc cable end to be used with an oscilloscope. It is composed by permalloy and hall element, which linearly transform the ac or dc current to ac or dc current voltage. It allows to check ignition secondary on older vehicles (not coil-on-plug) and current draw while cranking. The current clamp range is set to 1mv/100ma, the actual current value is one hundred times of the measured data whose unit is ma.

The oscilloscope current pattern is adequate. Its max range is 650 amps. The probe responds in high frequencies also, so good to mesure fast amperage.

Why We Like This:

Power circuit measurement and malfunction analysis
Good accessory to allow full use of your scope
Good brand reputation

Best With Clamp Meter: Jasleen DC Current Clamp

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Jasleen is known for creating pragmatic and minimalist clamp for people on the go, and its line of jasleen dc current clamp definitely falls in line with that reputation. The dc clamp ammeter measurements are very accurate at various autos. The display is large enough to read easily and the meter beeps to confirm when a selection is made via the blue buttons. These are easily dialed in by the control knob and there are detents to let you know when you arrive at the setting you desire. The back clip makes it more portable, hang on your belt or pocket.

The amp meter zeros quickly and the readings are accurate. It comes with batteries which require a screw driver to install but a screw driver is included so all is well there. The jaws work great for automotive work, the meter does do mV readings and has good accuracy. It beeps at 19 minutes as a warning to override the shutdown if desired. It is easy to make these measurements which would otherwise be very difficult and intrusive.

Why We Like This:

Handy if you are looking for pocket sized
Packs all the necessities in a smaller profile
Delivers 0.1ma ac resolution and sensitivity
Numerous well thought out features for problem solvers and repair people

Best For HVAC: ALLSUN DC Current Clamp

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Not everyone likes to purchase clamp for their daily usage, but the allsun dc current clamp would be an anomoly. It is a great diagnostic piece for the tool box. It measures the ac current in a conductor up to 33mm without interrupting the circuit, maxiamp or microamp circuits which always require dedicated bench top meters. It takes one hand to make the adjustment, and another to hold the clamp. It is sensitive enough enough for most electronics work, except for sub-milliamp or microamp circuits which always require dedicated bench top meters. It is easy to accidentally bump and change the settings while taking a reading.

This probe allows measurements of live circuit current without having to disconnect, simply put the clamp around one of the wires. It happens to be well put together and with good ABS plastic too, and comes in a good case. It can be used on any circuit below it's maximum voltage withstand rating.

Why We Like This:

Needs a 9v battery, no auto shutoff
Noisy, but works well for relative testing
Nice meter, zeros out very well and is accurate