Measuring Circuit Loads at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Photon Management
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Photon Management
Shine an ever-loving light on you.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old February 8th, 2006, 11:12 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pacifica, CA
Posts: 348
Measuring Circuit Loads

Is there any slick way using a multi-meter or other device to measure the current load on a circuit? i.e. Making sure you can detect the 400 watts of a computer you didn't realize was on somewhere else in the house before you add your 1,800 watt lighting kit to a 20 amp circuit. Also, is there a cheap "Fox and Hound" 'circuit finder' that someone could recommend?
Eric Lagerlof is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 8th, 2006, 11:16 PM   #2
Hellgate Pictures, Inc.
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 124
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Lagerlof
Is there any slick way using a multi-meter or other device to measure the current load on a circuit? i.e. Making sure you can detect the 400 watts of a computer you didn't realize was on somewhere else in the house before you add your 1,800 watt lighting kit to a 20 amp circuit. Also, is there a cheap "Fox and Hound" 'circuit finder' that someone could recommend?


There is but it would require a meter that clamps around one hot cable alone and the only way to do that is inside an electrical box so I would say no, because most folks d o not know how to safely open a box, let alone play inside of it.
Walter Graff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 9th, 2006, 10:12 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 327
Look for a device called an Amp Probe.
__________________
Matt Irwin
DP / matt.irwincine.com
Matt Irwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 11th, 2006, 09:51 AM   #4
Hellgate Pictures, Inc.
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 124
Amp probes are good for general references but have a lousy bar graph that is in 5 amp blocks and isn't as accurate as a real amp meter.
Walter Graff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 13th, 2006, 12:23 PM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pacifica, CA
Posts: 348
Sorry to get back to you so late...unexpected shoot for CSPAN. Thanks for the tips. Matt, I saw an amp probe for about $40.00, the K1-KwikE, I think. It has the bar graph Walter was referring to. Is this what you meant? Walter, even if it's 5 amps off, a rough idea would really help. (I always try and leave about 3 amps headroom on a circuit if I can.) This comes out of a concern for situations like run and gun office shoots, where the house engineer really doesn't know how many computers/cubicles are on that floor circuit you want to use. I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday and the store manager couldn't tell us about whether the plugs we were using for the video lights were on a different system than the outlet for video village and was paranoid about cord runs through the store to use say, the bathroom outlet that would most likely be on a seperate circuit. So would the KI do at least that much reliably?
Eric Lagerlof is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 13th, 2006, 02:50 PM   #6
Hellgate Pictures, Inc.
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 124
It's probably a start and would help get you in the ballpark but it will not guarantee you will not blow circuits. But here is your problem. It is meant to be in contact with the sleeve of a hot wire, not stuck in or near an outlet so I do not know how reliable or if it would work at all doing such a thing.
Walter Graff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old February 14th, 2006, 03:37 PM   #7
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Pacifica, CA
Posts: 348
According to Michael at "Test Equipment Depot", you use a clamp meter and a AC Line Splitter. The splitter plugs in to the wall and with a reasonably inexpensive calmp meter attatched to the splitter (instead of bare wire), your set t measure circuit loads. Together for around $100, I believe.
Eric Lagerlof is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Photon Management


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:21 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network