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    fredm2069's Avatar
    fredm2069 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 6, 2007, 11:20 AM
    Amperage meter
    I have older amperage meter form Micronta, I am thinking 1960's. I don't know how exactly to use it. It comes with the two needle probes and looks like the dial settings are like those on more modern versions, I am not electrically inclined and don't know the settings for testing live voltages or circuits.

    Please help if you can.

    Fred
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #2

    Sep 6, 2007, 01:39 PM
    Can you provide a close up picture of the meter? There are too many on the market since 1960 for anyone to speculate without seeing the meter,settings, etc.
    fredm2069's Avatar
    fredm2069 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Sep 6, 2007, 02:17 PM
    Here is a picture.

    Thanks a lot.
    Fred
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    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #4

    Sep 6, 2007, 04:29 PM
    I have used these years ago, never knew that were marketed by Radio Shack. Pretty basic to operate. This is an analog volt-ohm-amp meter.

    Set the knob to AC volts for house hold power, set to DC volts for working on a car. If your not sure of the voltage supply, set the knob to the highest range setting for that volts.

    If you want to measure ohms, use the volt meter to be sure there is no power before using the ohms meter. Power must be off to use the ohm setting.

    I think the amp meter setting is for advanced users working on low power, such as electronics, etc. The ampmeter is only good for 10 amps of DC volts, fairly useless unless you are working on electronics or vehicles. Definitely not for any use in home wiring.Connecting to a live circuit requires special knowledge and manipulating of live wires to test amps.

    I cannot see the model number. Check the Radio Shack support at RadioShack.com, to see if you can find a manual for that model number. Maybe if you bring it to a RS store they can help with finding a manual.

    As with any test equipment, extreme caution is needed to use on live circuits. Also requires a working knowledge of circuits to understand what and how to test.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #5

    Sep 6, 2007, 06:41 PM
    It looks like a Simpson 260 look-alike. There are many varieties.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #6

    Sep 7, 2007, 06:17 AM
    If comfortable with Live circuits, You can measure up to 10 Amps of current. Easiest place to connect to is a switch, and it must be off, place leads across switch, completing circuit.
    For many years you could only get Clamp-On AC Amprobes. As soon as Clamp on DC Amprobes were available, I had to get one. You need to make sure on DC Amprobes that it is clamped on correct orientation, Clamp around Car battery cable, open door, Should read a Negative current, If not, unclamp, and clamp on 180 Degrees from first try. Now when you start car, you would read a Positive current, and how much.
    They work great on water heater and dryer elements, if they have voltage, and read no current, element is open.
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