Question on measuring mA

daboxbandit

New member
I could use some help on how to properly use my multimeter. It's a Sperry DSA-500:

aw-sperry-dsa500a-5-function-9-range-400-ampere-di.jpg


I'm just about to the point of setting the Meanwell drivers for the Rapidled BC29 kit. But not sure how to use this multi-meter to measure the mA output for the led's.

1) Do I use the probes (as per rapid's instructions)?
2) Or use the hook clamp around one of the wires between 2 led's in the same series?
3) And do I just set the multi-meter knob to 40a?

I appreciate any help as I'm learning this.
 
Hi daboxbandit,

That is called a clamp meter. It is useful when measuring voltage or current without making a break in the circuit. You use it by putting the wire you want to measure the current on thought the clamp. You only put one wire of the circuit in there, not both. eg, only the positive wire (you can do it on the negative side, but there are issues with that). Problem is, they are not very accurate, and do not work at low currents, less then 10 amps. You can try to loop the wire around the clamp 10 times making the meter read 10x higher, but the accuracy is even worse. You need to be able to see ~10mA change. My fluke clamp will only see a change in current of 1A (1000mA), granted it will give you readings of 1000A at 22KV.

In other words, this will not work for what you are doing. Get your self a cheap multimeter. It will come in handy later anyway.

Have Fun

Mark
 
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