Advice on Earth Leakage Clamp Meters

[RogertheBodger]

Hi Everybody,

Been looking to get an earth leakage clamp meter for some time, and I have been reading up on them on the forum.

After a thread last week Telectrix posted a link to an Ebay site for an Alphatec TEK 633. and I have since bought one, just got it and I must say It looks the Buisness for the money - so Thanks for the tip Tel!

In the instructions it shows the correct method of use is to clamp the cpc. and not to clamp the L&N to obtain an earth leakage reading - OK with that but the question is, on some posts members have shown these clamp meters being clamped around the live pair - and I,m OK with that but this must mean that there are two types of clamp meter out there?

If any of you who have one of these (types) could shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

 

[ExArmy]

TEK 633's are now discontinued from metrel, and there is no replacement yet!
found this out today when the company I had originally ordered mine through called me to arrange a refund. the ebay seller that was linked on this thread doesn't have anymore in stock either. does anybody know where I can buy one from, or if now what the next cheapest earth leakage clamp meter?

 

[telectrix]

Hi Roger, I would suspect that your meter will do both, but i guess you are right you only be certain when you have tried it. Computer equipment usually has a small amount of leakage, because of the filters, so might be worth checking on some. I think what distinguishes cheaper from more expensive meters are the ranges, sensitivity and frequency selectors. TBH mine has far more sensitivity (0.001mA) than i would ever have any use for. So could have saved myself some cash and bought a cheaper one.

0.001mA or 0.001A. please clarify.

 

[Engineer54]

Here You Go ......Alphatek TEK633 3 in 1 200A AC/DC Clamp Meter. Buy online or call

Also have a look at the Dilog DL6507 Leakage clamp

 

[Engineer54]

0.001mA or 0.001A. please clarify.

It's actually 0.1mA

 

[pushrod]

0.001mA or 0.001A. please clarify.

What is to clarify - it is 0.001mA

(0.001A is a milliamp - hardly far more sensitivity than you could ever use when dealing with earth leakages.)

 

[topquark]

So that's 0.000001A, ie one micro Amp.

 

[Engineer54]

just checked the photo with your tester in it, .....sorry different model to the one i thought it was...lol!!!

 

[topquark]

Does anyone have the DL6507 mentioned? If so can you confirm the low end range please?

 

[Engineer54]

The Dilog DL6507 has a resolution of 10 micro Amps, and that only 95 quid, just hasn't got the ranges....

 

[topquark]

The Dilog DL6507 has a resolution of 10 micro Amps, and that only 95 quid, just hasn't got the ranges....

Yep, I had a peek at the manual ... thought someone here might have one.

 

[topquark]

The "manual" I found was just the data sheet, here's an extract from the proper manual:

AC A 0 – 40 mA 10 μA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 400 mA 100 μA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 4 A 1 mA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 40 A 10 mA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 50 A 0,1 A ±(1,5 % rdg. +5 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 50 – 60 A 0,1 A ±(3,0 % rdg. +5 D) ±(3,5 % rdg. +5 D)

 

[telectrix]

reason i asked is mine is 0.001A, plenty enough for earth leakage measurement.

 

[topquark]

It also has a min/max mode as well, useful!

here's where I found the manual: http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/442175.pdf

 

[Engineer54]

The "manual" I found was just the data sheet, here's an extract from the proper manual:

AC A 0 – 40 mA 10 μA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 400 mA 100 μA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 4 A 1 mA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 40 A 10 mA ±(1,5 % rdg. +3 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 0 – 50 A 0,1 A ±(1,5 % rdg. +5 D) ±(2,0 % rdg. +5 D)
AC A 50 – 60 A 0,1 A ±(3,0 % rdg. +5 D) ±(3,5 % rdg. +5 D)

That's a pretty good accuracey for a budget leakage tester, ...

 

[telectrix]

getting into the realms of measuring microamps is more electronics level. say brain impulses for martians " they peel them with their metal knives, boil them for 20 of their minutes. And then they smash them all to bits."