I’m in need of a amp meter that reads
milliamps. (Trying to solve a problem and this is the best step)
curious if anyone has suggestions or experience with ones that are pretty cheap cause I won’t use it much.
needs to be a clamp on milliamp type
thanks

 

Most of the ones I've shopped on line are 2A and up for clamp-on. Cheap enough, some as low as $25 or so but nothing in the mA range; those are all handheld red and black probe types. Can always measure the impedance and note the voltage drop across it for the easy current calculation.

 

Thanks yea I would have to look up how to do that. I’m trying to check for a partial short somewhere. On 5v line so checking the current should tell me which may be pulling more then others.
i have looked at clamp ons that read to 1ma but am concerned about accuracy at the 50$ price range. The one that I’ve seen tested out and accurate and is good is 150. Still holding off though
till I get an answer on my reasoning for problem from bmw mechanic.

 

dr
Most inexpensive digital volt meters have a mA range setting.
It might be simpler to start pulling fuses while watching the meter.
Keep in mind that several circuits (interior lights, windows etc...) stay active for 10-15 mins after the ignition is off.

 

Thanks and yea just want something accurate not sure what my reading will be. And fuses are a no I’m trying to find a specific fault. Basically I’m dropping 5v at a sensor plug. Only when plugged in to sensor. Unplugged it’s good. And it’s not the sensor or the wires. So I’m thinking I have a short somewhere else that when I plug the sensor in the load created it making the voltage bleed out somewhere else. Just so you understand what I’m doing

 

Read specifications carefully if you do buy a clamp-on ammeter or probe. Many clamp-on probes will not read DC amps, only AC. You need a Hall effect probe to measure DC amps.

 

I have a UNI-T model UT210E clamp type meter and it has a Hall effect sensor for non-contact DC current. It's quite nice for the price. Google it and you should be able to find it for around $25. There are some good YouTube reviews of it also.

-Jeff

 

That’s way cheaper then I was looking thanks!! Does it go down to milliamps?

 

Below is a link to the manual. It says at the 2A range, it has 1mA resolution. Other than playing with it for a bit, I really haven't used it much.

https://www.uni-trend.com/uploadfile...h%20Manual.pdf

-Jeff

 

Perfect thank you for that