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Many people have a volt-ohm meter (VOM) laying around the house or garage but often do not really understand how to use such devices. The VOM is most common because around the house nad even most electricians only need to know voltage or resistance.

The easiest way to determine current or Amps is to just divide voltage by resistance. If you can use your VOM to get voltage and resistance then you can divide and get amperage or current draw. If you do not have a VOM these are the most inexpensive electrical testers to purchase. Usually around 20-25 dollars for a decent one.

If you must in the course of your employment or hobby determine amperage and want to do it with an electrical tester there is one for you. A VOM with the ability to check for amperage as well is available starting at around 50-75 dollars. These testers look like a normal VOM except at the top they have a set of jaws that open to clamp around a wire.

Notice I said "A" wire. you cannot put mulitiple wires inside these jaws to test for current. You must test each wire seperate. With this type of tester it is really quite easy to check current. The hardest part normally is finding a single wire.

Usually if you are testing current you will check it on a circuit and check it at the main panel or load center. Here you will have the wires for each circuit separated. The hot wires will be connected to the breaker that serves the circuit and the neutral and ground wires if equipped will be connected to their respective bus bars.

When you open the panel or load center visually look inside and get a feel for where the wires are that youo will be testing. If not easily accessible you may need to turn off the power to isolate these wires and get to them with your tester. Once you have located the circuit/wire you want to test just set your amp meter scale to the proper setting and clamp the jaws around the wire. If there is a load on the wire the gauge will reflect amount of current draw. Once completed just remove tester from wire.

As I said most people should not even need to check current or amperage draw. If this test needs to be done, odds are you need a professional.

Remember if you feel the need or the situation arises that you must use your electrical testers safety is a must. Electricity has the potential to kill or destroy property and should be treated as deadly. If you are unsure, unfamiliar, or just afraid contact a professional.

Learn more about this author, Stanley Roberts.
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