PicoScope 7 Automotive
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, the next evolution of our diagnostic scope software is now available.
Amps maxed out.
-
Steve Crayston
- OneWave
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:31 am
Amps maxed out.
Hi All,
Just tried to do a RC current test & the Clamp is set for 2000 Amps.
The Current draw is more than 2000 Amps so goes off the screen.
Is there any way I could overcome this?
Just tried to do a RC current test & the Clamp is set for 2000 Amps.
The Current draw is more than 2000 Amps so goes off the screen.
Is there any way I could overcome this?
Re: Amps maxed out.
Assuming the current in the circuit you are testing is likely to be more than 2000 Amps? (Circuit / System Knowledge! 
) then probably the only way to get an accurate representation is to invest in a more suitable clamp for the expected peak current you intend to measure.
If you are not too bothered about accuracy then just measure the voltage being outputted by the clamp and do the conversion as per the clamp specs, as most clamps will measure a bit above their intended range but the accuracy is far from guaranteed!.
Kev.
) then probably the only way to get an accurate representation is to invest in a more suitable clamp for the expected peak current you intend to measure.If you are not too bothered about accuracy then just measure the voltage being outputted by the clamp and do the conversion as per the clamp specs, as most clamps will measure a bit above their intended range but the accuracy is far from guaranteed!.
Kev.
-
Steve Crayston
- OneWave
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:31 am
Re: Amps maxed out.
Thanks for the help again Kev,
When you say "measure the output voltage of the clamp" is it just a case of telling the scope I'm just using a probe to measure voltage?
When you say "measure the output voltage of the clamp" is it just a case of telling the scope I'm just using a probe to measure voltage?
Re: Amps maxed out.
Steve,
In a word "YES"
The longer version.....
Currents clamps do not measure current and neither do Oscilloscopes.
An oscilloscope at it's most basic level is the bastard child of a clock and a volt meter that later in life had simultaneous unnatural relations with a roll of graph paper and a plotting pen at an orgy in some lab somewhere!
So when you use a current clamp the clamp measures the EMF that surrounds the conductor (The Cable) converts that into a DC voltage output that is measured by that HellSpawned thing we call an oscilloscope.
The voltage variation is plotted over time and that is what gives us a waveform.
I do not know what Amp clamp you are using but let us say it is a Pico TA167 if you look on the front you will see that it's equivalence ratio is 10mV per Amp on the 200 Amp scale and 1mV per Amp on the 2000 Amp scale.
So if you were to set the clamp on the 2000 Amp scale and set your scope to say a 5 Volt scale that would give you a potential (If the clamp can manage it?) of measuring up to 5,000 Amps.
As I said in the earlier post be careful as the clamp is only rated at 2000 Amps and having never had to exceed that rating I do not know how accurate it will be.
And do not forget that the SAFETY ELF will tell you not to do it!!!
Kev.
In a word "YES"
The longer version.....
Currents clamps do not measure current and neither do Oscilloscopes.
An oscilloscope at it's most basic level is the bastard child of a clock and a volt meter that later in life had simultaneous unnatural relations with a roll of graph paper and a plotting pen at an orgy in some lab somewhere!
So when you use a current clamp the clamp measures the EMF that surrounds the conductor (The Cable) converts that into a DC voltage output that is measured by that HellSpawned thing we call an oscilloscope.
The voltage variation is plotted over time and that is what gives us a waveform.
I do not know what Amp clamp you are using but let us say it is a Pico TA167 if you look on the front you will see that it's equivalence ratio is 10mV per Amp on the 200 Amp scale and 1mV per Amp on the 2000 Amp scale.
So if you were to set the clamp on the 2000 Amp scale and set your scope to say a 5 Volt scale that would give you a potential (If the clamp can manage it?) of measuring up to 5,000 Amps.
As I said in the earlier post be careful as the clamp is only rated at 2000 Amps and having never had to exceed that rating I do not know how accurate it will be.
And do not forget that the SAFETY ELF will tell you not to do it!!! Kev.
-
Steve Crayston
- OneWave
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:31 am
Re: Amps maxed out.
Thanks again Kev,
Very eloquently put
It is a TA167, I'll try it next time I get near that Machine again & let you know.
Regards
Steve
Very eloquently put
It is a TA167, I'll try it next time I get near that Machine again & let you know.
Regards
Steve
Re: Amps maxed out.
...But if my amps clamp measures an intensity exceeding its range of use (reasonably), isn’t there a risk of burning the clamp?
For example, if I measure the starting current of my car with my clamp TA019 ("measurement max 600A") : peak at 800A for a few µs, then stabilize at 120A. What is the risk for the clamp ?
Thanks a lot !!
Nico
For example, if I measure the starting current of my car with my clamp TA019 ("measurement max 600A") : peak at 800A for a few µs, then stabilize at 120A. What is the risk for the clamp ?
Thanks a lot !!
Nico