Lower Price 3/11: Extech MA250 200A Clamp Meter with Built-in Non-Contact Voltage Tester: $30 ($74.50 at Amazon) + Free Store Pickup ~ Sears

Yes. AC only, up to 200A.[/QUOTE]

Can I use this to measure the AC from car spark plugs?
Can I use this to measure house appliances?

Quote from Corwin76 : Have you noticed the small multimeter Extech combo set that shows up here for $15 or less looks like it comes out of the same factory as the Craftsman model that sells for $11.49 every so often? Wait, what am I saying, you probably wouldn't notice stuff like that since you have a Fluke.

If you're talking about the Craftsman meter that was in a thread 3 or 4 days ago, yes, I saw that one. I haven't seen the Extech branded version. I like tools, I pay attention to them regardless of name. Now, whether I buy them or not..

Quote from crakarjax : It came with a padded nylon case. You can get more details on the fieldpiece site; the meter is exactly the same except the Ideal one has no temp. probe. http://fieldpiece.com/clamp-meters/sc67 I guess this meter might be a better deal depending on what you need it for; the optional temp. probe could be useful but I prefer to get tools that don't try to get too fancy; my A/C manifold has temp. probes and I'm sure they are more accurate than on a multimeter. The non-contact voltage indicator is kind of cool. The Ideal meter is pretty solid, and seems more rugged than this one but I haven't held the Extech so that's just my impression.

Lots of contradictions there. First you say the Ideal is better, then it's this meter might be better. Sure, it's nice when they don't get crazy with add-on features, but the fact still remains the Extech specs out as good as, if not better than the Ideal and it's cheaper. Then, you say the Ideal is solid and is more rugged, but you've never held the Extech, so you're comparing by pictures?

Quote from junoj : Quote : Yes. AC only, up to 200A. Can I use this to measure the AC from car spark plugs? Can I use this to measure house appliances?

I doubt the sampling rate on that meter would be able to pick up current off of the plug wires, so I would say no to measuring current and certainly not voltage. The voltage detector in the jaws would pick up voltage on the plug wire though.

Yes, it can be used to measure current and voltage (and, in turn, wattage) on nearly anything in your home. The easiest way is to use a line splitter; Extech has one here; http://www.amazon.com/Extech-4801...e+splitter and here is a no-name for a few bucks less. Line splitters are nearly all the same, so you can shop off of price. The "x1" coil has no multiplier on it, so if you measure your vacuum cleaner on the x1 loop and it says 12A, then it's pulling 12A. The x10 loop is for getting a more accurate measurement on low current devices, something that may only pull 220mA may not sample well on some meters, on the x10 coil it will show up as 2.2A. Divide by 10 to get the actual current draw.

Devices that don't fit into the 15A / 120v category can be measured, but you'll have to open your panel and clamp the individual branch circuits. Don't dig into your panel unless you have a firm grasp of what you're doing and give it the respect that it requires.

Quote from LordAthens : If you're talking about the Craftsman meter that was in a thread 3 or 4 days ago, yes, I saw that one. I haven't seen the Extech branded version. I like tools, I pay attention to them regardless of name. Now, whether I buy them or not..

This is the Extech one I was referring to. It appears to have the same rubbery housing and molded shape. I haven't compared the specs., but other than mainly the color, it looks the same visually.

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/7...it-mn24kit

Quote from LordAthens : Lots of contradictions there. First you say the Ideal is better, then it's this meter might be better. Sure, it's nice when they don't get crazy with add-on features, but the fact still remains the Extech specs out as good as, if not better than the Ideal and it's cheaper. Then, you say the Ideal is solid and is more rugged, but you've never held the Extech, so you're comparing by pictures?

No contradictions; you basically just reiterated exactly what I already said. Re-read and try to understand this time. The Ideal is better IMO, because of the following:

- Thinner, more ergonomic
- Better Voltage Accuracy
- Higher max. Voltage
- Does not run down the battery when turned of (the Extech does)
- 150 hour battery life
- 2 year warranty vs 1 year for the extech

And I was wrong in fact; the ideal does also have a non-contact voltage detector. If none of this is important to you, by all means go with the Extech.

Quote from LordAthens : Yes, it can be used to measure current and voltage (and, in turn, wattage) on nearly anything in your home. The easiest way is to use a line splitter; Extech has one here; http://www.amazon.com/Extech-4801...e+splitter and here is a no-name for a few bucks less. Line splitters are nearly all the same, so you can shop off of price. The "x1" coil has no multiplier on it, so if you measure your vacuum cleaner on the x1 loop and it says 12A, then it's pulling 12A. The x10 loop is for getting a more accurate measurement on low current devices, something that may only pull 220mA may not sample well on some meters, on the x10 coil it will show up as 2.2A. Divide by 10 to get the actual current draw. Devices that don't fit into the 15A / 120v category can be measured, but you'll have to open your panel and clamp the individual branch circuits. Don't dig into your panel unless you have a firm grasp of what you're doing and give it the respect that it requires.

Thanks, always wanted an Watt and Amp meter

UPDATE 3/11: Sears has now dropped the price from $34.88 to $29.99.

Quote from Corwin76 : UPDATE 3/11: Sears has now dropped the price from $34.88 to $29.99.

Last night, I got into an argument with customer service over using code SAVENOW or MEMBERS with the Extech meter.
They blocked the codes from working on Deal of the Day items, but never updated the code fine print.