Customer Reviews

Fluke Corporation 322 AC Clamp Meter

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seldom does a company make 2 products that do almost the exact same thing, but Fluke's low end ampclamp (the 322) is almost a duplicate of the high-end digital amp-probe (T5) Fluke T5-1000USA,Electic Tester 1000V,Continuity,. Here are the big differences.

The 322 can handle BIG conductors and big currents (400A AC). The T5 maxes out somewhere around 3/0 copper wire and 100 A AC. The T5 has a bright red light to warn you when high voltages are present - the 322 warns you with an icon in the LCD display. The T5 comes in 600 and 1000 V versions, but the 322 is limited to 600 V.

The 322 works like the traditional amp-clamp. The T5 is best described as an "amp-FORK" because the opening is permanent and doesn't need to be closed to make an accurate measurement. The T5 "FORK" will accept a 1/2" diameter conductor but nothing bigger. You just poke it over the wire and the AC current is measured when the wire gets to the bottom of the fork. Neither model makes DC current mesurements. Consider the 337 if you need DC current. Also look at the 333 - it is similar to the 322

The T5 is smaller. about 1/2 the width. Both run for a long time on 2 AA batteries but the T5 runs twice as long. Using Lithium L91 AAs you can forget about batteries for a few years of everyday use.

The T5's probes are PERMANENTLY attached to the meter so they never get "borrowed". This may seem trivial but if you work around other people probes seem to be able to walk. They stow nicely in clips built into the T5 case or you wrap them around the 322. One T5 clip even doubles as an extended probe holder on the so you can use one hand to hold the meter and probe with the same hand, keeping you even further from the live circuit. At 1000 V that's a nice feature. The probes are removable from the end of the cables on the T5 so that you can put a clip on one line instead. The 322 accepts a full range of test accessories subject to it's 1.5 Megohm input impedance which can upset thermometers, or especially high voltage probes.

The T5 automatically switches AC or DC voltage depending on what it sees comming in and indicates it in the display as AC or DC. The 322 has a dial setting for AC or DC voltage and you must tell it which you want to measure. If you have a complex signal (AC+DC) ONLY the 322 can tell you about each part - the T5 will just pick one, usually the AC, unless the voltage is stable like from a battery or DC supply. Thus the T5 is somewhat ambiguous with combination DC/AC signals. These need a traditional DVM like the 179/279 series.

The T5-1000 can go to 1000 volts AC / DC, but the 322 stops at 600V. The T5 measures to 1000 Ohms, the 322 stops at 400 Ohms. Both have continuity beepers. The 322 goes to .01A resolution, the T5 is .1A


Those are the hard facts, here are some Personal Thoughts from using both:

Neither the 322 or T5 are a replacement for the traditional bench DVM like the 179 or 279 but they can do ALOT of basic electrical measurements fast and easy. They are GREAT tools if you need to make current measurements quickly without disconnecting the conductor and also want to measure voltages and wire resistances. Input impedance of the meter is 1.5 Megohms instead of the typical 10 Megohms of a traditional DVM, so some accessories are not compatible with either of these. Both have a hold button - very helpful when you dig for a wire and once found you can't see the display - just press hold, get your meter back and read it later.

I like the "fork" on the T5 - it's fast and gets into smaller spaces than a bigger clamp. If I were working on MCM series cables, the 322 would be the only choice though. I also got spoiled by the automatic DC/AC switching on the T5. Most of the time voltage measurements are not complex AC+DC and if they are you need a different meter anyways.

I did alot of work on a high power 60Hz to 50Hz motor/generator set for testing foreign powered devices - I always used my T5-1000 when probing inside the motor/generator control panel live because I could clip one lead to ground and put the hot lead in the meter's extended holder then use it one handed to measure voltages with one hand behind my back. Since the generator had a DC field coil, the T5 would switch automatically when I measured the exciter DC voltage instead of the AC output which was one less switch to mess with. Setting up the generator was very simple using the T5.

Summary: These two products are so close you need to evaluate the voltages, currents, and wire size you work with to pick one over the other. Beyond 100A or 1/2" diameter conductors you are automatically going to need the 322. Above 600V, The T5-1000 wins. *IF* you can use either, the T5 is a bit more convenient and fits the hand nicely. They are 2 different meters and have different personalities, but are priced close and duplicate alot of specifications making it a personal decision. I hope this info helps you pick the right one for your job. Either one is a quality product that will have a long service life. Oh yea, the T5 is spec'ed by fluke to survive a 10 foot drop - it is ruggedly built without an opening clamp mechanism.

As a plumber who encounters electricity on occasion, especially with some relaxing of the electrical code, i want a tool I can trust and I know Fluke is a trusted name. This does what I need it to not any more and not any less. with some of my ignorance in electricity, however; i was under the impression that I would be able to use the clamp around say a line to a waterheater and i would be able to tell if it was still hot but i now know you can only clamp a single positive or negative wire because both together will cancel out and read zero.

this is my second Fluke 322, my first being stolen on a job site, well thats construction. the 322 are rugged and very reliable, they are not True RMS, but for simple motor troubleshooting they are an affordable substitute. i've used the clamp on some pretty big 300 amp motors and have never had the glitch on me and have turned around and tested small voltages with no problems. its that kind of flexibilty i like about the fluke 322.

I purchased two,One for me and one for my co-worker. Unit is small, does all of the work as a larger [...] with a soft protective case, two leads.Clamp jaws are the perfect size to check amps on a motor or a panel. This is just one of my five Fluke meters. When you see a guy using a Fluke meter you know he uses and enjoys great tools. Amazon shipping is great three days on standard free shipping.

As a mantenance technician, I'm testing electricial appliances, outlets, switches, and HVAC issues on a daily basis. My old multimeter finally died after 20 years and I had to borrow a meter a few weekends back to locate and diagnois a problem. My neighbor graciously agreed to let me borrow his and I was hooked at that point. The Fluke 322 AC clamp meter is absolutely wonderful. I don't know how I got along without it before. It's ease of operation and understanding is superior to my previous meter and its various application make for a very reliable workmate. I can highly recommend this model and will be able to sleep comfortable knowing that should you purchase on my review, you'll share my thoughts as well. Kudos to Fluke.

The Fluke 322 is a great tool for the price. It has good accuracy and, is easy to use. I would definitely recommend it for anyone needing basic troubleshooting and metering.

I purchased the Fluke-322 to replace an old failed AmpProbe meter. The Fluke meter is easy very easy to use.

I am very pleased with this purchase

What more can I say? I bought this meter because of the Fluke reputation (though there was a slip inside the case that said the unit was produced by someone else FOR Fluke). It is a nice compact instrument. The readout is clear from multiple angles. The meter does everything it is supposed to do and does it well. We'll see how it holds up over time, but based on its sturdy compact nature, I don't expect any issues. Overall, I would buy this unit again.

The Fluke 322 ClampMeter is almost everything I wanted/needed. There is one caveat: The DC voltage display only reads to one decimal place. So for marine corrosion measurements using a chloride half cell, mV accuracy is marginal.

Fluke is the best. I am a journeyman electrician and this is a great product and a price you can't beat.