Clamp-On Current Meter Readings
Got curious with my new clamp-on meter this afternoon. Made the following current readings (one fully charged 24 series battery; converter turned off): .13 amps - parasitic/residual current with e...
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Just purchased a new Mastech MS2108 clamp-on meter which measures true RMS and inrush current (not to be confused with the cheaper, less capable MS2108A).
Measured current and inrush current on my Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c while powering it with my 3100/2800 (23.3 amp) Champion inverter generator. Made the measurements at the generator using a 120 v line splitter (plugged into a short, 15 ft. 10 gauge cord). Wanted to measure closer to the TT, but that wasn't possible because of the L5-30 amp connector on the TT. Measured 12.2 amps (continuous) while the compressor was on which seems like a reasonable reading. However, the inrush current for the compressor start-up is another story. I measured 61 amps! It dropped to 58 amps with the generator in Economy mode. Yes, I was using the 1x position on the line splitter. Guess it kinda makes sense it would drop with the Economy Mode ON since the generator is not able to ramp-up the current as quickly. For comparison purposes I also measured the current and inrush current on our microwave inside the house. It measured 13.2 amps with 48 amps of inrush current. At any rate, if the a/c's inrush current is 61 amps, it's no wonder the generator's overload LED blinks when the compressor kicks on--lol!
These inrush measurements seem very high. Is this possible, or do I have a very inaccurate meter? FWIW, followed the manufacturer's directions closely for measuring inrush current. They're very simple.
Measured current and inrush current on my Dometic 13,500 BTU a/c while powering it with my 3100/2800 (23.3 amp) Champion inverter generator. Made the measurements at the generator using a 120 v line splitter (plugged into a short, 15 ft. 10 gauge cord). Wanted to measure closer to the TT, but that wasn't possible because of the L5-30 amp connector on the TT. Measured 12.2 amps (continuous) while the compressor was on which seems like a reasonable reading. However, the inrush current for the compressor start-up is another story. I measured 61 amps! It dropped to 58 amps with the generator in Economy mode. Yes, I was using the 1x position on the line splitter. Guess it kinda makes sense it would drop with the Economy Mode ON since the generator is not able to ramp-up the current as quickly. For comparison purposes I also measured the current and inrush current on our microwave inside the house. It measured 13.2 amps with 48 amps of inrush current. At any rate, if the a/c's inrush current is 61 amps, it's no wonder the generator's overload LED blinks when the compressor kicks on--lol!
These inrush measurements seem very high. Is this possible, or do I have a very inaccurate meter? FWIW, followed the manufacturer's directions closely for measuring inrush current. They're very simple.
