We are excited to announce Chauvin Arnoux has updated its range of F-Series Clamp Meters, making them suitable for testing photovoltaic/solar systems! These new models, the F402, F404, F406, F604, and F606, supersede Chauvin Arnoux’s F401, F403, F405, F603, and F605 Clamp Meters. To ensure suitability for testing photovoltaic/solar circuits, Chauvin Arnoux’s updated F-series Clamp Meters offer an extended voltage range: up to 1200V AC and 1700V DC. However, one thing that has not changed is the clamp meters’ ability to measure true inrush current regardless of whether a load is connected to a live or dead installation. In their application note, Chauvin Arnoux outlines why their innovative InRush® function is so important.
Quick Links
- What Is Inrush Current?
- Why is it Important to Measure Inrush Current?
- How Does Chauvin Arnoux’s True InRush® Function Work?
- New Chauvin Arnoux F-Series Clamp Meters
- Further Information
What Is Inrush Current?
On start-up, appliances or loads such as motors, lights and IT equipment draw an initial current. This current is the inrush current. It is often notably greater than the steady-state current that equipment settles into a few seconds after powering on.
Why Is It Important to Measure Inrush Current?
Understanding how inrush currents affect a circuit is critical to ensuring systems are adequately equipped to accommodate these draws, whilst still protected against unusually large current influxes. Measuring inrush current also helps to troubleshoot installations suffering from nuisance tripping, flickering lights, or malfunctioning IT equipment, as it can identify problem loads.
How Does Chauvin Arnoux’s True InRush® Function Work?
Chauvin Arnoux’s True InRush® function differs from the traditional inrush measurement found on most clamp meters in that it allows electricians to measure:
- The initial inrush caused by the first load to be connected to the circuit (this is how inrush current is usually measured)
- Inrush currents drawn by all subsequent loads connected to the installation (unique to Chauvin Arnoux's F-series Clamp Meters)
For more information, Chauvin Arnoux’s innovative True InRush® function is explained in greater detail in our previous blog on this subject.
Chauvin Arnoux Explains Innovative True InRush® Function
Chauvin Arnoux True InRush® Application Note
To highlight the importance of thoroughly testing inrush current, Chauvin Arnoux’s paper, Uncovering the truth about inrush currents, details the science behind their innovative InRush® Function and how it helps you to comprehensively measure this parameter.
Read Chauvin Arnoux’s Application Note Uncovering the Truth About Inrush Currents
New Chauvin Arnoux F-Series Clamp Meters
Chauvin Arnoux F40X Clamp Meters
Chauvin Arnoux F402 Clamp Meter
- 48mm clamp diameter
- Current range: 1000 A AC
- Voltage range: 1200 V AC/ 1700 V DC
- Resistance
- Audible continuity
- Temperature
- Automatic AC/DC detection
- True InRush® function
- Hold, Min, Max functions
- CAT IV 1000 V/ CAT III 1500 V
- IP54
Chauvin Arnoux F404 Clamp Meter
- 48mm clamp diameter
- Current range: 1000 A AC/ 1500 A DC
- Voltage range: 1200 V AC/ 1700 V DC
- Resistance
- Audible continuity
- Temperature
- Automatic AC/DC detection
- True InRush® function
- Hold, Min, Max functions
- Relative and differential measurements
- Adapter function
- CAT IV 1000 V/ CAT III 1500 V
- IP54
Chauvin Arnoux F406 Clamp Meter
- 48mm clamp diameter
- Current range: 1000 A AC/ 1500 A DC
- Voltage range: 1200 V AC/ 1700 V DC
- Resistance
- Audible continuity
- Power (W, var, VA, PF)
- Harmonic distortion (THDf, THDr)
- 2-wire phase rotation
- Diode test
- Automatic AC/DC detection
- True InRush® function
- Hold, Min, Max functions
- Relative and differential measurements
- Adapter function
- CAT IV 1000 V/ CAT III 1500 V
- IP54
Chauvin Arnoux F60X Clamp Meters
Chauvin Arnoux F604 Clamp Meter
- 60mm clamp diameter
- Current range: 2000 A AC/ 3000 A DC
- Voltage range: 1200 V AC/ 1700 V DC
- Resistance
- Audible continuity
- Temperature
- Automatic AC/DC detection
- True InRush® function
- Hold, Min, Max functions
- Relative and differential measurements
- Adapter function
- CAT IV 1000 V/ CAT III 1500 V
- IP54
Chauvin Arnoux F606 Clamp Meter
- 60mm clamp diameter
- Current range: 2000 A AC/ 3000 A DC
- Voltage range: 1200 V AC/ 1700 V DC
- Resistance
- Audible continuity
- Power (W, var, VA, PF)
- Harmonics (THDf, THDr)
- 2-wire phase rotation
- Automatic AC/DC detection
- True InRush® function
- Min, Max, Peak+, Peak- functions
- Relative and differential measurements
- CAT IV 1000 V/ CAT III 1500 V
- IP54
Further Information
For further information regarding Chauvin Arnoux’s new F-series Clamp Meters, please don't hesitate to contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.
In the meantime, you can find our complete range of Chauvin Arnoux clamp meters here.
