Measuring amps on campsites (1 Viewer)

Shuismo

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Oct 23, 2012
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Hi,
I wish to measure the incoming amps as supplied by campsites, I have been told that this is possible using a ac/dc digital clamp metre.
Thanks
 

JeanLuc

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You have not explained why you wish to measure the current you are drawing, but instead of buying a meter, why not simply sum the total wattage of the items you are using / want to use, concurrently and divide by 230. That will give you the maximum current drawn in amps.
 
Aug 30, 2012
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Hi,
I wish to measure the incoming amps as supplied by campsites, I have been told that this is possible using a ac/dc digital clamp metre.
Thanks


as far as I understand (and that's limited) a clamp meter will only read what you are using and not what is available
so to find out what the site fuse is set at you would have to set clamp on incoming cable and switch one thing at a time in moho till fuse on site board popped and record highest reading

as jeanluc says work out your appliances and calculate it

unless someone knows better

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pappajohn

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yes, a clamp meter will measure amps but will only work if placed over one conductor only...either live or neutral....it wont work if placed around the hookup lead.

8it will only show the actual amps being used...not what the post is rated at.

to see what the maximum amp rating of the hookup post is simply look at the posts breaker...it has the amp rating printed on it.
probably shown as C10 or C16 for a 10 or 16 amp supply.
 
Last edited:

hilldweller

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I have been told that this is possible using a ac/dc digital clamp metre.
Thanks

Another variation on this is the clamp you can put on your home electricity supply which also gives you a total usage over a period of time.

Here is an example.

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FULL TIMER

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Another variation on this is the clamp you can put on your home electricity supply which also gives you a total usage over a period of time.

Here is an example.

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we have a similar item fitted to the van on ours you can also set an alarm to go off if you reach a pre set wattage, ours go's off at 2000w which suits most hook-ups saves tripping the post out. again the supplied clamp with these must only be fitted to one conductor we have ours on the live lead where it enters the consumer unit

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Shuismo

Shuismo

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Oct 23, 2012
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Thanks

Thank you all for the replies, I wanted to check the amperage as sometimes on continental sites we have been told we have 10amps but things keep tripping when we use items of lower amperage including the amps used to operate the running of basic items.
Thanks again
 

mikebeaches

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Feb 22, 2010
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Thank you all for the replies, I wanted to check the amperage as sometimes on continental sites we have been told we have 10amps but things keep tripping when we use items of lower amperage including the amps used to operate the running of basic items.
Thanks again

This year we stayed on a couple of sites in France that only had 3-amp hook-ups. And lots more that were 6 amps. Not really a problem, as long as you know in advance; or you can re-set a trip-out switch yourself. We just use appliances accordingly. :thumb:

If in doubt, ask at reception.

Mike
 

cmcardle75

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Thank you all for the replies, I wanted to check the amperage as sometimes on continental sites we have been told we have 10amps but things keep tripping when we use items of lower amperage including the amps used to operate the running of basic items.
Thanks again

Get one of those plug in electronic power measuring devices. They are much more accurate than the inductive sensing ones. Some can even measure power factor etc.

Then plug your motorhome into it. (I guess you have adapters to do this already for when you're parked outside home). This can tell you the amps you are drawing for various configurations.

I know mine only draws 8.25A or nothing at all. It currently has only one mains appliance, the air conditioner. I'm not sure I'm going to bother fixing the battery charger or the fridge connection as I never use hookup.

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about:
Link Removed

I've got a different model, so can't particularly recommend.

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