Home Tool ReviewsThe Panel Decides: Best Clamp Meters For Electricians

Tool Reviews 2 December 2024

The Panel Decides: Best clamp meters for electricians

If you’re in the market for a new clamp meter, check out our experts’ reviews before you part with your hard-earned cash!

In this Article:

Our experts review three leading clamp meters

Some meters are too basic for our testers

While others are over complicated!

Does anyone manage to impress our panel?!

The Tools

KLEIN TOOLS – Digital AC Auto-Ranging Clamp Meter

CABAC – Compact Clamp

FLUKE – 325 Clamp Meter

TRADE PRICE $105.97 + GST

TRADE PRICE $665.38 + GST

TRADE PRICE $435 + GST

THE LOWDOWN:

An automatically ranging digital clamp meter
that measures AC current and NCVT via the clamp, and AC/DC
voltage, resistance, and continuity via test leads. It has a CAT
III 600V, Class 2, double insulation safety rating and is built to
withstand a 2m drop. It comes with a carrying case, test leads
with CAT III/CAT IV safety caps and batteries.

THE LOWDOWN:
The BM079 is a powerhouse in a pocket-sized
package. This 600A AC/DC meter is ideal for domestic,
industrial, or auto electricians. It measures AC/DC voltage and
current, and includes built-in phase rotation. Additionally, it
offers EF proximity detection, continuity, resistance,
temperature, capacitance, and frequency measurements.

THE LOWDOWN:

The Fluke 325 True-RMS clamp meter is a
reliable, versatile troubleshooting tool for commercial and
residential electricians. Featuring a slim design for easy
transport and use, and a large display for efficient
troubleshooting.

Stephen Moseley

from Stephen Moseley Electrical

Experience: 39 years

Matt De Marco

from Ric Electrics

Experience: 20 years

Alex Crawford

from One Spark Electrical

Experience: 12 years

The Verdict

KLEIN TOOLS – Ratcheting Crimper

“APPRENTICE LEVEL.” – STEPHEN

Stephen:
Apprentice level.
This is a good, basic tester. I liked the probe holder and NCV function, although it lacks a capacitance test, which would be useful. For the price, this is a good starting tester for an apprentice. The other testers I tried out have more features.

Matt:
Lacking.
A very basic meter, which means you need to carry other meters for other functions. This one isn’t great for commercial or industrial sparkies. There were no DC Amps, which is a common feature on most meters.

Alex:
Bit basic.
Feels strong and durable, and it’s easy to use two-handed without
having to fumble around. The clamps are too bulky, however, and
I found it hard to get in tight spots. It’s a good basic meter for an
apprentice.

VERDICT: Lacking in features.

RATING: 6/10

VERDICT: Not for me.

RATING: 4/10

VERDICT: I’ll pass.

RATING: 5/10

CABAC – Compact Clamp

“FEATURE PACKED!” – MATT

Stephen:
Good – but expensive.
I like all the functions, including the ability to test VFD output and
phase rotation. It’s good for general, industrial and HVAC. The
colour means it gets lost in the field easily. It is expensive, so the price may be an obstacle.

Matt:
Feature packed!.
The phase rotation and motor rotation before power-up is a
massive plus for me. It’s got lots of features, although you need to carry the operation manual with you to work it! On the downside, it’s expensive.

Alex:
Too much going on.
The inclusion of the phase rotation was a great idea. The clamp is nice, large, narrow, and easy to get in tight spots. The settings are not clear, and there are too many settings in the one selection.

VERDICT: My favourite.

RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*

VERDICT: Best of the three!

RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*

VERDICT: Overpriced and overcomplicated.

RATING: 7/10

FLUKE – 325 Clamp Meter

“PICK OF THE BUNCH.” – ALEX

Stephen:
A very good tester.
This is a good, general tester. It felt good in my hand, and if it had mA and mV, this would have got my vote. I like the capacitance and temperature functions. Although the Cabac got my highest rating, this is the best buy at the price.

Matt:
All the functions.
A nice-sized, durable meter, with a good-sized clamp and all the
functions required. The temperature function is good but it does not have a non-contact voltage reading, which would be handy for a meter at this price point.

Alex:
Pick of the bunch.
The settings are easy to understand and it has all the features I’m
looking for. The display is nice and clear. It could use a probe holder or a magnet to hang it up while testing. The addition of alligator clamps would be nice to have.

VERDICT: Value for money.

RATING: 7/10

VERDICT: Smart buy.

RATING: 7/10

VERDICT: It’ll do for me!

RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*

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