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Measuring load on a circuit breaker. jockeyshiftit 02-20-2007
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Posted by on February 20, 2007, 3:30 pm


Hi,
Does anyone know of a way to measure the current being used on a
single circuit breaker from just one of the wall outlets on that
circuit?

ie; I want to be able to plug something in anywhere in the house and
be able to tell from there how many amps the circuit breaker is using.
thanks


Posted by Jeff Wisnia on February 20, 2007, 3:51 pm


jockeyshiftit@yahoo.com wrote:

> Hi,
> Does anyone know of a way to measure the current being used on a
> single circuit breaker from just one of the wall outlets on that
> circuit?
>
> ie; I want to be able to plug something in anywhere in the house and
> be able to tell from there how many amps the circuit breaker is using.


Circuit breakers don't "use" amps, they let amps flow through them and
open the circuit when the current exceeds their ampere rating.

*************

Just take the front panel off the breaker box and snap a clamp-on
ammeter over the white wire exiting the breaker. That'll tell you how
much current is flowing.

This cheapy clamp-on from HF will do it for you:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42397

If you didn't follow what I just wrote PUHLEEZE don't do it yourself!

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.


Posted by dpb on February 20, 2007, 4:30 pm


> jockeyshif...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > Hi,
> > Does anyone know of a way to measure the current being used on a
> > single circuit breaker from just one of the wall outlets on that
> > circuit?
,,,

> Just take the front panel off the breaker box and snap a clamp-on
> ammeter over the white wire exiting the breaker. ...

That would be the black wire from the breaker for a single-pole (120V)
circuit, the white for the same circuit should be terminated on the
neutral bar.


Posted by Jeff Wisnia on February 20, 2007, 5:32 pm


Jeff Wisnia wrote:


>
> Just take the front panel off the breaker box and snap a clamp-on
> ammeter over the white wire exiting the breaker.

THAT'S THE BLACK WIRE OF COURSE!

Just another brain fart...


That'll tell you how
> much current is flowing.
>
> This cheapy clamp-on from HF will do it for you:
>
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42397
>
> If you didn't follow what I just wrote PUHLEEZE don't do it yourself!
>
> Jeff
>


--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.


Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on February 20, 2007, 8:34 pm



>> Just take the front panel off the breaker box and snap a clamp-on ammeter
>> over the white wire exiting the breaker.
>
> THAT'S THE BLACK WIRE OF COURSE!
>
> Just another brain fart...
>

What?????????? Based on your comment, I just changed all the wires in my
panel. Now I have to swap them again. I mean, after all, I read it on the
internet so I trusted you.



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