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Measuring circuit current


Kerrowman

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Hi there,

 
I am trying to measure the current in a circuit by putting a digital ammeter inline, as in the diagram, after removing a connecting link that is also shown.
 
608155643_PulseGenerator.jpg.1eb1c13bb9de74ef0bfb7768e176d2e7.jpg
When the connector link is in, the circuit works fine but when the meter is in it doesn't work well at all, implying that there is some significant resistance from the meter.
 
In practice it looks like this:
 
IMG_9244.jpeg.6b499a90656627187a90fde95e801000.jpeg
 
 
IMG_9243.jpeg.bcbf2722a5811c6e16605527d2fbebf8.jpeg
 
 
In the two photos, first I have have some jumper leads plugged in and the circuit runs normally. Plug in the meter instead and, while there is some current flowing, there is not enough for the system to function properly.
 
As I understand it the ammeter should offer minimal resistance to the circuit and so should not interfere with it during it’s measurement process.
 
Using another meter, when disconnected, the resistance of the red plug through to the black plug via the meter set to 'A' is 0.1 Ohms.
 
I do have a clamp meter but I am expecting to use a desktop digital meter that will take readings automatically at regular intervals without my having to remember to stop and take one.
 
Am I doing something wrong here and how can I obtain a good reading without interfering with the circuit's operation?
 
Thanks
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My old Scope multimeter has a 0.01 ohm shunt resistor in the 10 ampere circuit going by the schematic. That is not much of an intrusion  into a  circuit.  I would think the analog meter is most likely the most accurate meter in your case. What does the clamp on meter give you?

Knowing the on and off time  of the pulses one could calculate the peak current from the  one ampere reading?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The meter  needs calibration. My AstroAl M2KOR has for DC current: accuracy +/- ( 1.2% rdg + 5 dgts). Whatever that means.  Also "when large currents are measured the  continuous measurement should not exceed 15 seconds".

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