Digital volt-amp meter with amp sense question

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by sdowney717, Aug 4, 2012.

  1. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,175
    Likes: 85, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    Lately doing a lot of electrical items on the old boat, shows volts and amps.
    A few questions.

    IF I put 2 hot wires inside the sense ring it show the sum of the amps flowing in both wires?

    IF the 2 hots are on different phases does it show the sum of the amps flowing in both wires?

    IF the hot and neutral are inside the ring, does it read zero amps unless there is a current leak?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/29074943917...NX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_803wt_1165

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Lt. Kludge
    Joined: Jul 2010
    Posts: 18
    Likes: 1, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 23
    Location: Massachusetts, USA

    Lt. Kludge Junior Member

    The sensing element is a current transformer. So it will take the vector sum of the current(s) passing thru it. If the currents are exactly out of phase i.e. Line and Neutral it will read zero current.
     
  3. CDK
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 3,324
    Likes: 148, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1819
    Location: Adriatic sea

    CDK retired engineer

    IF I put 2 hot wires inside the sense ring it show the sum of the amps flowing in both wires? YES

    IF the 2 hots are on different phases does it show the sum of the amps flowing in both wires? NO, there is a 120 degree phase shift. it shows approx 0.7 times the actual current.

    IF the hot and neutral are inside the ring, does it read zero amps unless there is a current leak? YES, but the leakage current may not show or the value may not be accuarate because it is too small.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. colnago_marine
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    2,375
  2. pdwiley
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    1,815
  3. Steelboat
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    966
  4. Nick Proctor
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    1,393
  5. Nick Proctor
    Replies:
    7
    Views:
    1,789
  6. sdowney717
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    1,928
  7. markstrimaran
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,632
  8. markstrimaran
    Replies:
    47
    Views:
    6,731
  9. BertKu
    Replies:
    11
    Views:
    15,571
  10. sdowney717
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    1,964
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.