Clamp meters are a popular choice among professional electricians thanks to the ability to clamp directly to a wire or cable rather than attach probes. Ideal Electrical has a new model that is now available and is worth taking a look at.
Technically, the Ideal 4-in-1 clamp meter got an upgrade from the 702 model to the 704. Ideal Electrical just announced the updated clamp and multitester tool now has a back light and true RMS measurement. Like the 702, the new Ideal 4-in-1 Clamp Meter covers a 200 amp current capacity, acts as a non-contact voltage tester, as an AC voltage tester with shaker, and harmonics tester.
The Ideal 4-in-1 Clamp Meter is born from the people that use them. Ideal went into the field to ask pros what their greatest needs in a multi-meter are. The 61-704 is the result of those findings. The backlight is the most obvious upgrade, allowing users to see data in less than ideal light conditions. True RMS is a little more complex, but here’s what PTR’s Managing Editor had to say:
“True RMS (root mean square) is one of three ways to measure AC current effectively. Its advantage is in the ability to accurately measure both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal wave types. Without boring you with the physics, I’ll just say that its ability to measure both wave types is what makes it the preferred method over an average-responding digital meter.”
-Kenny Koehler, Pro Tool Review Managing Editor
Ideal 4-in-1 Clamp Meter (61-704) Key Features
- Non-contact voltage (40-600VAC)
- Capacitance
- Integral lead storage
- Auto power off
- Ergonomic hourglass shape
- Audible continuity
- Diode Test
- Data hold/max hold
- Low battery indicator
- Overload protection on all ranges
- Silicone leads
- Sleep mode
- Compact clamp head
Ideal 4-in-1 Clamp Meter (61-704) Specifications
- AC Voltage: 2000m/200.0/750V, 1.2% basic accuracy
- DC Voltage: 2000m/200.0/1000V, 0.5% basic accuracy
- AC Current: 200.0 A, 3.0% basic accuracy
- Resistance: 200.0/200.0k Ω, 1.0% basic accuracy
- Capacitance: 200.0µ F, 3.0% basic accuracy
- Warranty: 2 years
- Includes: Silicone test leads, Carrying case
- Price: $202.74 (MSRP), $152.99 on Amazon
