testing help for dc clampmeter

[chris19191919191919]

how do i test a solar panel string using a d.c. clamp meter?
d.c. circuit breakers are installed.
can i turn off c/b , and bridge pos and neg, put clamp on bridge , and turn on c/b???
i need to do this safely. and i do not want to damage panels, cables, etc.

[john p]

WHAT??/ Clamp meters make NO contact with anything, You put the jaws around the cable that you want to measure the current of. Then note the reading. Obviously there must be a load connected and a supply of DC electricity.. IE the cables between an inverter and the battery/ies with a load connected to the inverter,ie lights. etc.

[Sunking]

When the system is operation just clamp one of the circuit conductors and read the current.

[pvpanels]

For the open circuit voltage you would simply clamp round one conductor and record . For the short circuit current you would isolate the supply to the invertor and connect the positive and negative , or bridge , but you would NOT turn the power on , the panels will create the current and you simply record . You should check these results with the manufacturers test results to verify array is connected correctly .

[Sunking]

For the open circuit voltage you would simply clamp round one conductor and record .

WTF? Well let's see in an open circuit there is no current flow, and a clamp-one meter does not read voltage when clamped around a circuit conductor.

[john p]

I want one of those voltage reading clamp meters you can get it seems in Scotland.

[charlie]

PV Test Kit

how do i test a solar panel string using a d.c. clamp meter?
d.c. circuit breakers are installed.
can i turn off c/b , and bridge pos and neg, put clamp on bridge , and turn on c/b???
i need to do this safely. and i do not want to damage panels, cables, etc.

I purchased a test kit made by Seaward - Seaward PV100 Installation Kit and it has all you need get started...the cheapest I found was on test4less - worth having a look

[Mike90250]

I purchased a test kit made by Seaward - Seaward PV100 Installation Kit and it has all you need get started...the cheapest I found was on test4less - worth having a look

wow only

[russ]

Not bad! Only overpriced by 10 times.

You can buy Fluke cheaper than that and top of the line!

[Mike90250]

Not bad! Only overpriced by 10 times.

You can buy Fluke cheaper than that and top of the line!

Does fluke make a MPPT power meter ? I think that's the purpose of this meter, to come up with the true power wattage of a PV. Otherwise, it's a rip off for a volt/amp meter.

[Sunking]

I have a precision calibrated resistor for sale that will turn a $5 meter into a FLUKE. Just send me $100.