• Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off!

diy solar

diy solar

What Fluke Clamp meter should I buy?

E

ElkPicture

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2024
Messages
40
Location
AZ
My Klein meter might dying ( When I measure Ground neutral bond resistance it changes depending on what probe I touch to the neutral. 0 ohms vs 4 ohms... really odd and frustrating when you spend a lot of time troubleshooting only to find out that your meter is screwed up)

So anyway I think I want to upgrade to a Fluke clamp meter. I'd like all the basic features to test solar equipment. AC/DC volts and amps. Basic Ground Neutral bond resistance and resistance across long wires...Basic stuff. But the main and probably most expensive feature I'd like is the "INRUSH" measuring feature(I believe this is different than the Min/Max feature). I mess with solar quite a bit on my home and possibly plan on installing a few systems for friends/family in the future...

Fluke has a lot of meters out there so it can be a bit confusing on what to purchase. I have an idea what meter to buy but thought I'd ask for your recommendations to make sure I'm purchasing the right one.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
As an electrician on ships, my advice is to start by just buying new leads. You'll have to do that anyways if you buy a Fluke as 100% of the factory leads on my Fluke meters over the last 18 years have been flakey. When you're checking a 3ph motor, having a 6ohm variance depending on which way you jiggle the wires is an issue.

Nowadays I just buy/bring my own Kliens and get the silicone leads of theirs. Much more accurate and if I drop it in the bilge I don't feel as bad. They've just been the better value over Flukes, especially with the insane price bump they charge for DC amp clamp flavors.
 
New leads and/or new batteries will cure 90% of meter problems unless it has been abused to much.

If you just want an excuse for a new toy to play with a good fluke is hard to beat.

I went with this - not nearly as expensive as a Fluke, but just as good.... or you can get some cheap ones - I have a few listed in my tools section of the first signature line

 
Last edited:
ElkPicture said:
My Klein meter might dying ( When I measure Ground neutral bond resistance it changes depending on what probe I touch to the neutral. 0 ohms vs 4 ohms... really odd and frustrating when you spend a lot of time troubleshooting only to find out that your meter is screwed up)

So anyway I think I want to upgrade to a Fluke clamp meter. I'd like all the basic features to test solar equipment. AC/DC volts and amps. Basic Ground Neutral bond resistance and resistance across long wires...Basic stuff. But the main and probably most expensive feature I'd like is the "INRUSH" measuring feature(I believe this is different than the Min/Max feature). I mess with solar quite a bit on my home and possibly plan on installing a few systems for friends/family in the future...

Fluke has a lot of meters out there so it can be a bit confusing on what to purchase. I have an idea what meter to buy but thought I'd ask for your recommendations to make sure I'm purchasing the right one.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I like fluke meters, I got a remote clamp meter so it works with any meter and the display is easy to read since it's not next to the clamp. I wish I had got one with inrush feature. Not sure if they make a remote clamp with inrush though.
 
outboard1196 said:
I like fluke meters, I got a remote clamp meter so it works with any meter and the display is easy to read since it's not next to the clamp. I wish I had got one with inrush feature. Not sure if they make a remote clamp with inrush though.
Click to expand...
They do... if you REALLY don't need that kidney and can get them to take your neighbor's first born. I've seen them. I sailed with a guy a few years back that had one, he said it cost him almost $3k and that was 2018 dollars.
 
I recently purchased a Klein CL800 at a Big Box store for $139 cause I needed it immediately. Looks like Amazon has it for $109 if you can wait a couple days for delivery, super good value at that price. AC/DC Volts and Amps clamp meter, diode, capacitor, Min & Max hold, True RMS, continuity & ohms, frequency, temp sensor included. Whats not to like
 
Rednecktek said:
They do... if you REALLY don't need that kidney and can get them to take your neighbor's first born. I've seen them. I sailed with a guy a few years back that had one, he said it cost him almost $3k and that was 2018 dollars.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's a bit much for me. I'd probably have 2 separate meters then.
Also pay attention to the low reading, mine is only accurate above 10A it'll read lower but it's usually off. Make sure it can do AC and DC as well.
 
I have a Fluke 325. It's a very good meter. My only complaint is that it doesn't display enough digits to the right of the decimal. I get only one digit to the right of the decimal. That's good enough for 120v AC, but when I'm checking a 3.2 volt nominal cell I need more data.

Sadly, I break out a $25 multimeter to get three digits to the right of the decimal. Yes, it's accurate. I have a gizmo from VoltageStandard.com that produces a steady 5.000 volts with .01% accuracy that I can use to validate my multimeters.
 
I really like my Klein CL390. I actually have 2.

I wouldn't mind having the Fluke version with silicone leads but i just cant justify the $$$ .

I have a calibrated/certified Fluke 115 at work that i use when the measurement really matters but thats not a clamp meter. The leads that came on it suck. They are extremely stiff in cold weather.

98% of the time i grab the Klein meter.

20241014_101123.jpg
 
robbob2112 said:
new batteries will cure 90% of meter problems
Click to expand...

Damn if that ain’t right… never seen a device as picky about having strong batteries.
Everytime somthing seems off in a reading , it’s always been the batteries…
So far , anyway…
 
Looks like the Fluke 374 FC is the first in thst series to mention inrush. Yikes thats an expensive meter....
$400+ new
$250 for used on ebay
 
Be careful of the Flukes not from authorized dealers.... there are several sellers on ebay shipping from China and the meter model may be the same, but the specs are not. Usually at half price of the US model.
 
sunsurfer said:
Fluke is French for "I payed to much"
Click to expand...
I have several meters.

I use what ever is best for the job.
I have fluke 77 in my bag and T5 on my hip...
Greenlee meggar
And I have a AVO a truly fine piece of test equip
Batteries are a problem and I am not allowed to use it at work because its not CAT 5

@ Elkpicture
Buy what ever you like at a decent price.
Look up reviews.
Buy a basic meter that does what you need and nothing special.

Only reason I use a Fluke is my inspections at work are designed around the meter, its settings and the expectation that everyone else is using the same meter and they are all relatively accurate.
But any meter that fits your needs and is safe is just fine...
 
robbob2112 said:
I'll put my Simpson 260XLMP up against your AVO anytime.
Click to expand...
Fighting words.....
As bad as insulting the King!

I have a broken 260 sadly.
Its a shelf queen.

Navy guys from the USA love the Simpson because at one time its what they all used, they hold very good accuracy and reliability and all their inspections were done on it..
I assume your the same :)
The one you use I am not familiar with thats later unit...
Mine is series 7 or something...

Non Americans who speak English lol...
Seem to gravitate to the AVO especially navy guys too...
Its a bit bulkier and fussy about being used flat where the Simpson is less disturbed standing on something.
I don't recall the ranges and probe differences but my avo went to 2200 volts for a contact test..
This made the AVO 8 a good unit to use around tubes and such...

This is sitting by the TV...
Its Crompton also out of service and calibration.
I did use it at one time for generator service

IMG_7715.jpeg
Everything else is someplace else
Wife won’t let me display my toys
 
Last edited:
I am a fan of Fluke, but I bought a Harbor Freight DMM with clamp ammeter for 10 mA resolution and other reasons.

Hedges

Post in thread 'check all panels are connected and working on fronius 27kw'

ranjan said:
thanks. So from the inverter web interface or the app, is there any possibility in checking this?
Click to expand...

I haven't the foggiest, except I would expect it. I don't use that model; I'm a 100% SMA shop.

ranjan said:
As I just googled the meter you are referring to, which is about $350. I may not use it again, so I am a bit reluctant to purchase this immediately. Any other way to check this?
Click to expand...

That would be a different brand, which I passed on. I selected the Harbor Freight Ames 1000A meter, for $100 because:
DC (not just AC) clamp ammeter
1000A good for battery current of large inverter or...
  • Like
 
seneysolar said:
Looks like the Fluke 374 FC is the first in thst series to mention inrush. Yikes thats an expensive meter....
$400+ new
$250 for used on ebay
Click to expand...
Check out the CL 900 Klein…2000a DC inrush ……I have one …
it’s smarter than me for sure….about 170.00
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
Fluke clamp meter
Replies
19
Views
573
HRTKD
HRTKD
R
I found a Ground Neutral Bond in my locked house electrical meter... What should I do?
Replies
24
Views
1K
rloveless
R
H
House wiring conundrum
Replies
4
Views
156
halexudson
H
N
Neutral Ground Bond Yes or No
2
Replies
34
Views
589
nkala2
N
Westcoast
Ground / Neutral Bonding
Replies
0
Views
84
Westcoast
Westcoast

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top