How to Use a Separator to Wire an Amp Meter

You can install an alternating current line separator to receive a correct reading when using an amp meter to measure current. Amperage is the unit of measurement for the amount of current running through a circuit. Because of this it must be measured on an active circuit, so most amp meters are clamp-style, where the jaws of a clamp fit around the wire for the active appliance. The inductance of the wires generates an electromagnetic field that can be measured by the meter, but if the appliance has a ground wire, the reading will be zero unless an AC line separator is used.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the appliance that you want to test. If it uses a three-prong plug to connect to the outlet then it has a ground wire in addition to a common and hot wire. You will need to use a line separator to get a correct reading with your amp meter.
- 2
  Unplug the device from the wall outlet. Plug the AC line separator into the outlet and then plug the device into the separator.
- 3
  Power on the device so that it is operating under the load that you want to measure. Press the jaws of the clamp meter open and then place the amp meter over the line separator. Close the jaws inside the middle of the line separator so that the jaws are not touching anything, but encircle half of the line separator.
- 4
  Take the reading on your amp meter. Note that it must be in AC mode and set to measure current.

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