Current Clamps

Current clamps, also known as current probes, clamp meters or amp clamps (in the United States), are electrical testing tools used to measure AC or DC current without disconnecting a circuit. They work by clamping around a conductor and sensing the magnetic field generated by the current flow, then converting it into a voltage that can be safely read and recorded.

Designed for use with digital multimeters (DMMs), oscilloscopes, data loggers, and recorders, current clamps allow for non-intrusive, real-time current measurements, making them ideal for electrical diagnostics, maintenance, and monitoring tasks across various industries.

How Current Clamp Works?

A current clamp works like a probe except that it clamps around an electrical conductor. It does this using the clamp jaws, which open and close and clamp-on and around the conductor, allowing you to measure AC and or DC current without breaking an electrical circuit with no physical contact (non-contact) to the current. Current clamps can also be used along with Clamp meters and digital multimeters that have no built-in current clamp or current probe. Current clamps can be battery-powered or attached to other power supplies.

What is a Current Probe?

A current probe works in the same way as a current clamp except that it has no jaws. The current probe senses the AC and DC current which is passing through a conductor converting the current to a voltage that provides a measurement. Current probes are often used along with oscilloscopes and other current testers.

Current Clamp vs Current Probe

Understanding the key differences between a current clamp and a current probe is important for selecting the right tool for your measurement needs. Both devices measure electrical current but differ in design, application, and how they interface with test equipment.

Current Clamp

A current clamp uses hinged jaws that open and close to clamp around a conductor, allowing non-contact measurement of AC or DC current. This design enables quick, safe current measurements without disconnecting cables or interrupting circuits. Current clamps are commonly paired with digital multimeters (DMMs) and clamp meters and are ideal for field measurements and troubleshooting in electrical maintenance and industrial environments.

Current Probe

In contrast, a current probe does not have jaws. Instead, it senses current flowing through a conductor using magnetic or Hall effect sensors. Current probes convert the current into a voltage output, which is often used for detailed analysis with oscilloscopes. These probes typically offer higher bandwidth and sensitivity compared to clamps, making them well-suited for waveform analysis, lab testing, and advanced diagnostics.

Oscilloscope Current Clamp

Oscilloscope current clamps combine high sensitivity with wide bandwidth support for both AC and DC current measurements. They provide output via BNC connectors, ensuring compatibility with most oscilloscopes. These clamps are ideal for detailed waveform analysis and accurate current measurement in complex electrical systems.

Multimeter Current Clamp

Multimeter current clamps output a low voltage signal that is easily read by digital multimeters (DMMs). They typically connect using banana plugs or BNC interfaces. When choosing a multimeter current clamp, it’s important to ensure your multimeter supports input in millivolts (mV) or milliamps (mA) for accurate readings.

Some models feature flexible Rogowski coils, which are especially useful for measuring current in tight or hard-to-reach spaces, providing versatility for on-site electrical testing and maintenance.

AC vs DC Current Clamps

AC current clamps and DC current clamps are both essential tools in electrical diagnostics, but they differ in operation, internal sensing technology, and ideal applications.

• AC current clamps typically use a current transformer (CT) to sense alternating current. These clamps are ideal for measuring sinusoidal AC currents and are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems.
• DC current clamps rely on Hall Effect sensors to detect magnetic fields generated by direct current. This makes them capable of measuring both AC and DC current, offering greater versatility, especially in automotive, renewable energy, and battery-powered systems.

Industrial Applications of Current Clamp

Current clamps play a critical role across industries where accurate, real-time current measurement is vital for safety, maintenance, and system efficiency. Here’s how they’re used in different industrial sectors:

• Electrical & Power Distribution: Technicians use current clamps to measure load currents, identify phase imbalances, and conduct live circuit testing without shutting down the system. This helps maintain power system reliability and prevent unplanned outages.
• HVAC & Building Maintenance: In HVAC systems, current clamps are used to monitor compressor currents, motor loads, and identify energy inefficiencies. Building engineers rely on clamp meters to perform routine maintenance and ensure systems are running within electrical load limits.
• Automotive & EV Servicing: DC current clamps are essential for diagnosing issues in car batteries, alternators, and EV charging circuits. They help measure current draw during ignition, monitor discharge rates, and ensure proper charging system function.
• Renewable Energy & Solar: In solar installations, current clamps help assess inverter output, monitor panel strings, and verify current balance. Their non-intrusive operation allows for safe testing in live solar circuits, which often include both AC and DC components.
• Industrial Automation & Manufacturing: In automation environments, current clamps monitor motor drives, control panels, and machinery circuits to detect overloads or faulty connections. This helps avoid downtime and ensures equipment performs within specified current ratings.

Current Clamp Calibrated Services

• LATCAL – Laboratory calibration with traceability
• ISOCAL – ISO-compliant calibration services
• RSCAL – RS standard calibration
• UKAS – UKAS-accredited calibration for critical applications

How to Choose the Right Current Clamp

• Measurement range (AC/DC and max current capacity)
• Compatibility with your multimeter or oscilloscope
• Jaw size and flexibility for conductor types and spaces
• Output interface (banana plug, BNC, or others)
• Bandwidth and sensitivity based on application needs
• Calibration certification availability
• Power source (battery or external)

Current Clamp Manufacturer, Supplier & Distributor in Australia

RS Australia is a trusted manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of high-quality current clamps and current probes. Our competitively priced selection covers everything from entry-level clamp meters to advanced devices, offering excellent value for professionals in electrical testing and industrial measurement. Shop from trusted brands like Chauvin Arnoux, Fluke and GMC-I Prosys. Whether you need clamps for electrical maintenance, energy monitoring, or lab testing, RS provides reliable and certified equipment throughout Australia.

Buy Current Clamp Online from RS

Purchasing your current clamp from RS Australia is simple and efficient. Browse our extensive online catalogue to find the right clamp meter or current probe along with other industry-standard tools like motor controllers and AC motors. Finalise your order using our secure payment methods, including credit cards and business accounts.

Our nationwide logistics network ensures fast doorstep delivery, typically within 1–3 business days across Australia. For detailed ordering procedures, delivery options, costs, and scheduling, please visit our Delivery Information page. Get reliable, certified current clamps delivered directly to your site — order from RS Australia today!