Ac/dc current clamp in auto repair
Geoff’s question:
For the DIY mechanic is a ac/dc current clamp meter a useful piece of test equipment?”
Answer:
Not really. I have one, and as a professional mechanic I rarely use it because of all the electrical interference that exists under a car’s hood when it’s working. When I take AC or DC measurements under the hood of a working vehicle, I like to connect direct electrical leads to the circuit. Direct leads tend to get less error from electromagnetic fields like a clamp meter does. There are many different types of piercing electrical test leads you can buy that do this job, and are MUCH less expensive than the inductive clamp on leads.
