As technology improves, we see not only better and cheaper versions of existing products, but entirely new products that couldn't even exist a few decades ago. This new clamp-on meter from FLIR not only delivers higher accuracy and better quality than the inexpensive meter I bought 15 years ago, it also offers a number of functions that weren't even conceivable, let alone possible, back then. Most notable is the true infrared camera that's available at the push of a button. If you're not an electrician, you might wonder what use an infrared camera is, but detecting heat is a critical part of checking whether a home or business is wired properly.

Much of the National Electrical Code is concerned with heat, and how to make sure that wire and devices don't overheat. There are regulations regarding the gauge and run of conductors carrying a given load, how many conductors can be bundled together carried in conduit or a duct, or how many circuits can be squeezed into a box of a given size. All these are intended to prevent overheating and fires. A true imagining infrared camera can quickly scan walls or conduit or breaker boxes for unusual heat output (see photos). There's also a laser pointer that allows the user to pinpoint the site being measured.

With all the functions crammed into this meter, it's no bigger than standard meters and fits easily in my electrical tool belt. It runs on four AAA batteries and good quality ones are included with the meter. Learning how to use all the functions takes some study, and it takes a computer, as the manual comes on a CD-ROM. There's also a printer reference booklet, but you'll need to use the manual to discover all the functions of this meter.

Yes, it's expensive, but really not that much more expensive than other high-quality clamp on ammeters. It's overkill for the homeowner or occasional  user but for the professional electrician it looks like a very useful tool indeed.
As technology improves, we see not only better and cheaper versions of existing products, but entirely new products that couldn't even exist a few decades ago. This new clamp-on meter from FLIR not only delivers higher accuracy and better quality than the inexpensive meter I bought 15 years ago, it also offers a number of functions that weren't even conceivable, let alone possible, back then. Most notable is the true infrared camera that's available at the push of a button. If you're not an electrician, you might wonder what use an infrared camera is, but detecting heat is a critical part of checking whether a home or business is wired properly. Much of the National Electrical Code is concerned with heat, and how to make sure that wire and devices don't overheat. There are regulations regarding the gauge and run of conductors carrying a given load, how many conductors can be bundled together carried in conduit or a duct, or how many circuits can be squeezed into a box of a given size. All these are intended to prevent overheating and fires. A true imagining infrared camera can quickly scan walls or conduit or breaker boxes for unusual heat output (see photos). There's also a laser pointer that allows the user to pinpoint the site being measured. With all the functions crammed into this meter, it's no bigger than standard meters and fits easily in my electrical tool belt. It runs on four AAA batteries and good quality ones are included with the meter. Learning how to use all the functions takes some study, and it takes a computer, as the manual comes on a CD-ROM. There's also a printer reference booklet, but you'll need to use the manual to discover all the functions of this meter. Yes, it's expensive, but really not that much more expensive than other high-quality clamp on ammeters. It's overkill for the homeowner or occasional  user but for the professional electrician it looks like a very useful tool indeed.