Finally replaced my old clamp meter after 11 years

I had been using the same ancient analog clamp meter since I started out back in 2013. Last week I finally caved and bought a digital one, a Klein CL390 for about $80. First job with it was a fridge compressor draw test on a GE that kept tripping the breaker. The old meter would have just bounced around, but this thing gave me a steady 6.2 amp reading in seconds. Has anyone else put off upgrading a tool way too long and then regretted the delay?

2 comments

2 Comments

mia_singh2423d ago

But has anyone thought about how much longer your old gear lasts compared to the new stuff? I've seen digital meters crap out after a drop that an analog one would have shrugged off, maybe that 11 year wait was smarter than you think. Kinda makes you wonder if we're trading reliability for convenience these days, doesn't it?

rowan_butler9323d ago

Man, that sounds like such a satisfying upgrade. Analog meters are fine for basic stuff but when you need a steady reading on something like a compressor draw test theyre just frustrating. Six years with a beat up Fluke I got at a pawn shop until a buddy talked me into a UEI years ago. Night and day difference on motor start ups. You gotta wonder what else were missing out on by sticking with old gear, right?