How to measure current with a clamp on multimeter?01-06, 2026

As one of the most important testing tools in today's electrical testing field, the clamp on multimeter is widely used in current testing, resistance testing, voltage testing and other fields. Clamp on multimeter current measurement is also one of its most widely used detection methods. So, what is the specific method for measuring current with a clamp on multimeter? This article will give you a detailed answer.
Before measuring current with a clamp on multimeter, we must first understand the basic structure of a clamp on multimeter. The clamp on multimeter consists of a meter head, a meter body, a meter clamp, etc. The meter head refers to the measurement part of the clamp on multimeter, which is usually an LCD display screen used to display the current of the charged conductor; the meter body refers to the main body of the multimeter, which contains the circuit board, switch, power supply and display components; the meter clip refers to the part of a multimeter that clamps the test object, usually consisting of two movable jaws, can grip conductors of different sizes and shapes.
After understanding the basic structure of a clamp on multimeter, we learn how to measure current with a clamp on multimeter.
1.Choose the correct current level
Different types of clamp on multimeters have different current measurement ranges. Therefore, when using a clamp on multimeter for current measurement, the correct current range must be selected. Otherwise, excessive current may damage the clamp on multimeter.
2.Clamp the multimeter to a conductor
After selecting the current range, we need to clamp the clamp on the multimeter head to the test conductor tightly in order to measure the current of the conductor. Because the clamps of a multimeter can clamp conductors of different shapes and sizes, we can easily measure current without disconnecting the circuit.
3.Read the current value
When the multimeter is clamped in the circuit, the LCD screen on the multimeter head will display the corresponding current value. It should be noted that the direction in which the multimeter clamps the conductor when measuring current is different from the direction in which the multimeter measures the object when measuring voltage. According to the direction of the clamped conductor, the head of the clamp multimeter should be rotated in the same direction as the conductor.
4.Put down the clip and disconnect the circuit.
When the current measurement is completed, put down the clamp on multimeter and disconnect the circuit to avoid unnecessary danger.
The above is the basic method of measuring current using a clamp on multimeter. However, in actual electrical testing, we may encounter complex situations involving DC current, AC current, current with high frequency interference, etc. We need to choose different clamp on multimeter gears and measurement methods according to the actual situation to ensure measure current accurately.
The method of measuring current with a clamp on multimeter is simple and easy to understand. It is not only fast and accurate, but also very convenient to use. Therefore, the clamp on multimeter has become an important tool in the field of electrical testing. It helps people better understand the value and distribution of current, ensures electrical safety, and improves the performance of electrical equipment.