Amperage and the use of AC/ DC ammeter

Amperage and the use of AC/DC clamp on ammeters

Summary: Find out about amperage and how to properly use an AC/DC clamp on ammeter.

As many professional electricians know, it is very possible to have the correct amount of voltage on a circuit and it still not function properly. This may cause the average enthusiast to scratch their head in disbelief, wondering how this can be.

Amperage is defined as "The strength of electrical current expressed in amperes." In laymen's terms, it is easily described as the force that moves the electricity, or the ability of a wire or component to carry the load or resistance.

Let's now look at an easy example to make sure you know the importance of amperage in a circuit. You have a "12 Strand" wire that you are testing, and there is a break in the wire at some point, and only 1 strand is still connected at the break. You find that you have the correct amount of voltage at the end of the wire, but the component hooked to that wire still does not work, this is because the remaining 1 strand at the break point is carrying all the load that the 12 strand wire should be handling, and it will not allow the proper amperage through to the end of the circuit.

Types of ammeters

Easy clamp on Meter with probes also With digital readout

Testing- To easily test for proper amperage, you can either use a load light at the end of the circuit, or use an AC/DC ammeter. The use of an ammeter is very easy, just follow the steps below.

If using the probe type meter, make certain that you place them in series with the circuit.

If using the clamp, then all you have to do is place the clamp around the harness or wires.

Your ammeter will either have an "ok/good - not ok/not good" indicators or it will have a digital/analog readout. If you are using the readout type meter, just match up what you get on the test to what is the correct amount for the wires.

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