Kaiweets HT208D Inrush Clamp Meter Review – MBReviews | Iconic Tech

The Kaiweets HT208D is a reasonably cheap inrush present clamp meter that was designed to precisely measure 100A AC/DC present, 1000V AC/DC voltage, resistance, temperature, and extra. In contrast to the KM601 sensible digital multimeter that I examined a while in the past, there’s a dial that lets you manually select the kind of measurement you wish to make (no computerized analysis).

And that is high-quality contemplating the digital show seems as soon as once more (in shade and backlit), there’s a few check probes, in addition to the thermocouple for measuring temperature. However an important facet is after all the clamp itself, which can be utilized to check a dwell wire (or every other conductor) and contemplating that the show measurement all the time defaults to DC present, the machine is clearly aimed toward mechanics or every other DIY auto restore fanatic.

Another cool options embody the detection of dwell wires with out utilizing any probe (the NCV) and the built-in flashlight (which solely works when the machine is turned on). As I already talked about the KM601, which has confirmed to be a superb multimeter, particularly contemplating the worth, let’s additionally put the Kaiweets HT208D clamp meter to the check and see if it is one other gem from the Schenzhen-based producer.

Design and construct high quality

I praised the trendy design of the Kaiweets KM601, which ended up trying like a smartphone after ditching the dial in favor of buttons and utilizing a big shade display. The Kaiweets HT208D appears extra like a beefy device which is sensible contemplating the kind of machine, however it nonetheless managed to slide in a moderately small however very apparent shade display. It’s positioned in the direction of the consumer and if you happen to take the clamp meter in your hand you’ll perceive why.

The clamp rotates across the driver, it can help your hand so you possibly can simply modify the dial together with your thumb, and the display will naturally sit as near your eyes as doable. Above the display, there are three buttons, the primary one known as RAN and its operate is to cycle by way of all of the out there ranges (holding it down for two seconds restores the default values ​​of the vary).

Then there’s the MAX/MIN button which can assist to set a selected worth vary; the REL/ZERO button will behave otherwise relying on which mode the present clamp is at the moment set to. Should you measure DC then the button will set the magnetization results to zero, however in every other scenario the button will default to REL and retailer the present studying, setting a reference level for the subsequent studying.
Above these three buttons, the producer determined to depend on a dial that can assist you transfer by way of the out there capabilities: it strikes counter-clockwise, from the OFF place.

The dial is sort of simple to function because of the ribbed silicone body, and the identical kind of fabric additionally surrounds the machine virtually totally, so the Kaiweets HT208D is straightforward to carry and will not slip out of your hand. Then there’s the clamp that’s lined by plastic and is opened by pushing the lever from the aspect of the machine. The mechanism is spring-loaded and it’s simple to open the clamp with only one finger. There are a few different buttons I ought to point out, the primary being the FUNC button which can cycle by way of the out there secondary capabilities when checking a selected measurement (eg switching between DC and AC). On the aspect, there’s a H/flashlight button, and when shortly pressed, it has the operate of holding a steady measurement (it’s urged to maintain the operate disabled in the beginning of the check).

Holding the button down for 2 seconds will activate the flashlight that sits on high of the Kaiweets HT208D, barely obstructed by the clamp. And, as I mentioned within the introduction, I seen that it doesn’t activate if the machine is turned off. Kaiweets has positioned two probe slots within the body of the meter, on the opposite aspect of the clamp and, as anticipated, the HT208D can’t be positioned face up when taking measurements. Lastly, know that the Kaiweets HT208D measures 10.0 x 3.5 x 2.0 inches (25.4 x 8.9 x 5.1 cm) and weighs 1.54 kilos (0.7 kg).

The show (What’s being measured?)

The Kaiweets HT208D has a small backlit shade display, however the brightness is not very excessive, so if you happen to use it outside and it’s totally sunny, it is going to be a bit tough to see the values. Within the shade it ought to work high-quality and by transferring the dial you will have the choice to measure AC or DC present with VFD (Variable Frequency Drive Filtering) – set the knob to the suitable vary as this may be 60/600 amps or 1000 amps.

Urgent the Func button will toggle between AC and DC and also will allow the Auto VFD, in addition to begin the Inrush measurement. The VFD can be utilized outdoors of the aforementioned ranges and by transferring the dial down it’s doable to verify the frequency (Hz). You possibly can then verify Resistance (Ohm) utilizing the probes and if you happen to press the Func button it’s also doable to verify continuity in addition to run a Diode check. Do not forget to insert the crimson wire into the INPUT terminal and the black wire into the COM terminal (confer with the labels subsequent to the terminals).

Taking place on the dial, we will verify the temperature (Celsius and Fahrenheit); Kaiweets has a thermocouple within the package deal that you should utilize to verify the temperature. In the direction of the top of the dial, there’s the LoZ (low impedance) measurement and the NCV/Dwell which lets you verify for an electromagnetic subject, indicating that there’s a dwell wire within the wall. If the sign is weak, you will note the character –L and if the sector sign is robust, the character displayed will likely be –H.

What’s contained in the Kaiweets HT208D (teardown)

Should you verify the again of the Kaiweets HT208D, you may see that there are two screws seen, an simply accessible one which retains the battery part lined, after which, there is a extra recessed one which must be eliminated if you happen to intend to dig deeper into the machine. However that is not the one screw that must be eliminated as a result of beneath the standard management label is one other one. I believe it is some sort of guarantee seal, so needless to say the producer can use the broken seal as a purpose to void the guarantee.

You need to now have the ability to take away the rear panel together with the battery slot and see the PCB. The parts I used to be in a position to determine had been the CS1622GN LCD controller chip, 8 MB EEPROM programmable read-only reminiscence (HE24C08), the P204 HY17P48 8-bit mixed-signal microcontroller, and the GS8552 CMOS.

The Kaiweets HT208D in motion

As with the Kaiweets KM601, I ran among the extra fundamental assessments that I assume most individuals will use extra of. And the primary is to verify the accuracy of the NCV detection which ought to accurately see if a plug is dwell or not. And, being very near an outlet that I knew had a dwell wire in it, I seen that once I was inside a number of inches, the LED turned crimson and the show confirmed –H. Shifting across the socket, the show confirmed –L and the LED was inexperienced, however touching part of the wall the place there was a dwell wire, the loud beeping began once more, the LED crimson, and the –H.

So it is fairly correct, however the meter appears to choose to the touch the floor moderately than simply hover over it. Then I related the probes to the terminals and checked the voltage from one of many wall retailers. This check was accomplished within the EU, so do not panic while you see it exceed 220V. In actual fact, the Kaiweets HT208D confirmed a median of 238V; observe that you could insert the probes accurately to get an correct studying. Obligation was already displayed at precisely 50 Hz, which is the anticipated (and proper) worth.

Then I additionally did the continuity check by touching the 2 probes and turning the dial to the suitable icon. And sure, the clamp meter made a high-pitched beep and the LED turned crimson whereas the 2 probes touched, so all is effectively. Holding in thoughts that I additionally had to make use of the clamp, I went to the storage that has some unfastened wires (panel will likely be put in quickly) to verify some parameters. One other very legitimate utility is to make use of it for the automotive battery and I already talked about that the show all the time defaults to DC, which signifies that Kaiweets knew that individuals who work with automobiles (and different automobiles) will most likely use a clamp meter.

That being mentioned, as you possibly can see within the photograph, the Kaiweets HT208D did present a bit under 200V, which is near the right worth (not as correct as with the probes) and it did work at 50Hz, however once more, it can rely upon how the cables sit contained in the clamp. Observe that you would be able to’t use the clamp on the typical kind of wire discovered inside the home since you’re extra prone to have the impartial wire contained in the wire, so you will not get the right values.

The conclusion

Just like the KM601, the Kaiweets HT208D is a really competent machine, particularly contemplating the worth (which places it someplace within the entry degree). You get a number of varieties of measurements, you should utilize the clamp and probes to verify AC and DC present, and also you additionally get a shade show. So yeah, if you happen to’re searching for a clamp meter, try the Kaiweets HT208D.