Current Probe Selection Guide

Current Probes

Selecting the Right Current Probe

There are a few factors to consider when selecting a current probe. Please review the following:

Clamp-on probes work great if you have good access to conductors with sufficient clearance but they are rigid and may not be suitable for tight and confined spaces.  The flexible Rogowski probes are excellent for restricted situations where conductors are tightly bunched together, or for large bus bars.  The flexible design allows them to be snaked into panels and contorted to fit.

Unlike some other flexible probes PowerSight FX-series flexible probes do not need batteries –which can be problem if the battery dies half way through the monitoring session.  PowerSight FX probes are powered continuously from the meter.

Decide how much current you wish to measure and take into account maximum values for current surges such as when motors start. 

Knowing how many Current probes you want - See Bottom

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eFX6000 Wide Range Flexible Probe 1-6000 Amps The eFX6000 is a flexible AC current probe covering the entire measurement range of 1 to 6000 amps. The rope is just 0.91 inches (23 mm) thick so it can fit through narrow places and is 24 inches long so it can wrap around multiple cables or a busbar (36 inch length is also available). Self-powered via our meter, so there are NO batteries that can run down.   Learn more

HA1000 High Accuracy Clamp Current Probe 1-1000 Amps For the highest accuracy we recommend the HA1000 clamp-on current probe. Excellent range (1-1000A), linearity (0.5%), frequency response, and phase shift insures that you get the highest accuracy and repeatable measurements.   Learn more

HA100 High Accuracy Clamp Current Probe 0.1-100 Amps When space is an issue, the HA100 provides smaller form factor and narrower jaws than the HA1000.   Learn more

HA5 High Accuracy Clamp probe 0.02-5 Amps When the current is below 1 amp or when monitoring installed CTs (current transformers), the HA5 gives the best results.   Learn more

HA-GFD High Accuracy Ground Fault Detector 5mA-200A Summit Technology's HA-GFD Current Probe measures leakage current, ground faults, and small AC current down to 2 mA with 2 selectable ranges.   Learn more

DC2000 2000 Amp DC/ 1500 Amp AC Current Clamp Probe Our DC2000 measures up to 2000 amps DC as well as 1500 amps AC.  It is self-powered via our meter, so there are NO batteries that can run down.   Learn more

DC600 600 Amp DC / 400 Amp AC Current Probe Our DC600 Current Probe measures up to 600 amps DC as well as 400 amps AC.  It is self-powered via our meter, so there are NO batteries that can run down. .   Learn more

 

 

Knowing How Many Current Probes You Want

The number of current probes you want for a system is determined by what you intend to measure.

 

You want 4 probes if:

• You are monitoring a 3 phase Wye or 4 wire delta system (3 phases plus neutral) and you wish to measure neutral current.
• You are monitoring any 3 phase system and you want to have an extra current probe that can be used on one of the phases.  An extra probe is added insurance that you will have success.
• You are monitoring 4 parallel single phase loads (neutral current probe is used for the 4th load)
• You want to measure 4 DC branch loads (i.e. sharing the same voltage source) simultaneously.

You want 3 probes if:

• You are measuring the power of a 3 phase delta and don’t want to have an extra probe available, just in case.
• You are monitoring a split-phase power system (e.g. 120/240V) and want to measure neutral for leakage or attached single phase loads
• You are measuring 3 phase Wye or 4 wire delta and want a different type of probe for measuring the neutral (e.g. a lower capacity probe for measuring imbalance or leakage)
• You are measuring power of 3 parallel single phase loads
• You want to measure 3 DC branch loads (i.e. sharing the same voltage source) simultaneously.

You want 2 probes if:

• You are measuring the power of a split-phase circuit (e.g. 120/240V)
• You are employing "2 current power mode" to measure total power of a 3 phase load
• You are monitoring a high power load via 2 installed CTs (Current Transformers).
• You want to measure 2 DC branch loads (i.e. sharing the same voltage source) simultaneously

You want 1 probe if:

• You are measuring a single phase load
• You wish to use a special probe for neutral imbalance or ground leakage current
• You believe all phases are balanced and you want a rough measurement of power.
• You want to measure a DC load.