Fluke 345 Power Quality Clamp Meter
The Fluke 345 digital clamp meter is a true RMS sensing, manual- and auto-ranging multimeter for measuring current, voltage, frequency, harmonics, kilowatt power usage, power factor, and real, reactive, and apparent power in industrial electrical testing applications. It has a clamp that measures AC current to 1,400 amp and DC current to 2,000 amp. The clamp has two jaws that can close around an electrical conductor up to 58mm (2.24") in diameter to measure current without touching or interrupting the circuit. A set of test leads is included for measuring AC voltage and DC voltage to 825V, and voltage frequency to 1kHz (kilohertz). The meter measures real power, reactive power, apparent power, and power factor and records the kilowatt hour (kWHr) usage of a power source to provide data on the power efficiency of an electrical system. It can be used for power measurements on single- or three-phase balanced power sources. The meter measures fundamental total harmonic distortion (THD) and individual harmonics, which can degrade the quality of the power being supplied by the system. The meter's inrush current function analyzes the surge current at the startup of motors and other inductive loads to provide accurate, stable measurements. It features a low-pass filter that reduces high-frequency interference to allow accurate measurements of complex wave shapes. The meter has a rotary switch to select the property to measure, and an LCD with a backlight for visibility in low light. The unit operates on six AA batteries, and it has a low-battery indicator that signals when the battery needs to be replaced. Clamp meters are typically used by electrical engineers to measure properties of electrical current without physically touching or disconnecting the conductor.
This true RMS (root mean square) sensing meter provides accurate readings when measuring linear or non-linear loads, regardless of waveform. It has two ranging modes: manual, which allows the user to select the operating range, and auto, which automatically selects the appropriate operating range. Accuracy and resolution specifications vary according to the range being measured. It meets International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standard 61010 and is rated for CAT IV installations to 600V, which covers equipment at the origin of the installation, such as electricity meters and primary over-current protection equipment, and CAT III installations to 1000V, which covers equipment in fixed installations, such as switches in the fixed installation and some industrial equipment that is permanently connected to the fixed installation. The European Conformity (CE) marking indicates compliance with applicable European Union directives. The unit comes with a test lead set, alligator clips, test probes, a USB cable, an AC adapter, Power Log software, six AA batteries, a carrying case, and instructions.
| Maximum AC input | 1,400 amp |
| Maximum DC input | 2,000 amp |
| Maximum AC and DC voltage input | 825V |
| Maximum frequency detected | 1kHz |
| Individual harmonics detected | 30th harmonic (40th harmonic for 15 Hz to 22 Hz) |
| Maximum power detected | Real power: 1,650kW; reactive power: 1,250kVAR; apparent power: 1,650kVA |
| Maximum kilowatt hour usage detected | 40,000kWHr |
| Installation rating | CAT IV, 600V; CAT II, 1000V |
| Ingress protection | IP40 |
| Standards met | IEC safety standard 61010; CE marking; CSA; Australia N10140 |
| Power supply | (6) AA batteries |
| Weight | 820g/1.8lb. |
| Dimensions | 300 x 98 x 52mm/12 x 3.75 x 2 inches (H x W x D) |
H is height, the vertical distance from the lowest to highest point; W is width, the horizontal distance from left to right; D is depth, the horizontal distance from front to back.
Clamp meters, also called clamp-on meters, measure electrical current without cutting through wires, or touching or interrupting the electrical circuit. Available in handheld or benchtop models, clamp meters diagnose problems in electrical equipment, wiring, and power supplies. A current clamp has two jaws that fit around a conductor to take measurements. All clamp meters test for current. Some come with test leads and inputs for measuring voltage, capacitance, and resistance. They display information either in analog or digital form. Factors that influence meter choice include the electrical properties to be measured, the anticipated range of results, and the desired level of protection against transient voltages. Safety ratings are based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for low-voltage test equipment. IEC 61010 delineates four overvoltage installation categories. In general, a meter with a category IV rating will provide more protection against transient voltages than a meter with a lower category rating.
Fluke Corporation manufactures electrical testing tools and software for industrial and commercial applications. The company, founded in 1948, is headquartered in Everett, WA.
