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Extech 380950 Review: 80A Mini AC/DC Clamp Meter

The Extech 380950 is the mini clamp for people who want a multimeter that also clamps: 80 A AC and DC current with the full DMM functions in one small body. This review explains where an 80 A clamp fits, notes a problem with the Amazon listing, and compares it with the 380942 and 380947.

By the Akermin Editorial Team · 4 min read

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Extech 380950 Review: 80A Mini AC/DC Clamp Meter

Extech · Extech 380950 Mini AC/DC 80A Clamp Meter, 4000 Count, Full DMM | 0.5in jaw, 1mA resolution, AC/DC voltage, resistance, frequency, capacitance, diode, leads, case

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Price and availability are shown on Amazon and can change at any time.

Verdict

The Extech 380950 is the mini clamp meter for someone who mostly needs a multimeter and occasionally needs to clamp a conductor. It reads AC and DC current to 80 A through a small jaw, shows readings on a 4000-count display and, in the manufacturer’s phrase, offers full DMM functions through its leads. The 80 A range sits between the 30 A of the 380942 and the 400 A of the 380947 and covers residential circuits, appliances, small motors and vehicle electrics with useful resolution. A caution on the listing: at the time of writing the feature bullets on the Amazon page describe a light meter and do not belong to this product; the title, model number and Extech’s documentation agree with each other and this review is written from those. For a home electrical user, an appliance technician or an automotive technician, the documentation supports it as a compact one-meter solution.

Who It Is For

  • Home users doing branch-circuit and appliance work who want one small meter.
  • Appliance and equipment technicians who need multimeter functions and modest clamp current.
  • Automotive and marine technicians reading DC current in harnesses and charging circuits.

Our guide to choosing a multimeter for home electrical work discusses when a clamp function is worth having.

Documented Specifications

Item Documentation
Current AC and DC to 80 A through the jaw (listing title and manufacturer)
Display 4000 count (listing title and manufacturer)
Multimeter functions Full DMM function set through test leads (listing title)
Form Mini clamp, same family as the 380942 and 380947
Listing note Amazon feature bullets currently describe a different product

The voltage, resistance and capacitance ranges, jaw opening and safety category rating are on the manufacturer’s datasheet, which should be consulted given the state of the listing.

Where an 80 A Clamp Fits

Most residential branch circuits are protected at 15 or 20 A, appliance circuits at 30 to 50 A, and vehicle charging and accessory circuits run to a few tens of amps. On a 400 A clamp with a 4000-count display those loads occupy the bottom of the range and the resolution is 0.1 A. On an 80 A range the same display resolves 0.01 A, and the reading on a 3 A appliance or a 0.5 A control circuit has meaningful digits. The 380950 gives up the ability to read a main feeder or a large motor, which its buyers rarely need. For the technique see measuring current with a clamp meter.

Multimeter Functions in a Clamp

A clamp meter with a full DMM function set replaces two instruments for the majority of small jobs: voltage at an outlet or a battery, resistance of a heating element, continuity of a fuse or a cable, and current in a conductor without breaking the circuit. The exact functions and ranges should be read from the datasheet, but the family is consistent in offering the standard set. Owners of the 380950 describe it as the meter they carry when they do not want to carry two, and the DC clamp function as the reason they chose it over a plain multimeter. See testing a 12V battery with a multimeter and testing continuity for the basics.

Practical Notes

Zero the DC current range with the jaw closed on nothing before each reading. Keep the conductor centred in the small jaw. Because the listing’s feature bullets are currently mismatched, check the model number on the product you receive against the 380950 and download the manufacturer’s datasheet before relying on a range figure. A two-conductor cable in the jaw reads near zero; a line splitter separates the conductors for appliance loads.

Strengths

  • Multimeter and clamp in one pocket-sized body.
  • 80 A range gives useful resolution on household and vehicle loads.
  • AC and DC current through the jaw.

Limitations

  • 80 A ceiling; not for feeders or large motors.
  • True RMS is not stated on the listing title; check the datasheet.
  • Amazon listing bullets are currently wrong for this product.

How It Compares

The Extech 380947 is the 400 A True RMS mini clamp for those who need the higher ceiling. The Extech 380942 is the 30 A low-current specialist. The Extech MA120 is a 200 A mini AC/DC clamp with a non-contact voltage detector that sits between them in range.

How We Research

This review is based on the manufacturer’s published documentation, the Amazon listing title and owner reports. Because the listing’s feature bullets currently describe a different product, we have not used them. We did not run laboratory tests.

Extech 380947 400A True RMS AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter | 1mA resolution, frequency to 10kHz, bargraph, auto zero, min/max, data hold, battery, case

Extech 380947 400A True RMS AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter |

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Extech 380942 True RMS 30A AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter, 0.1mA Resolution | Low current sensitivity, voltage via leads, bargraph, auto zero, min/max, data hold, leads, case

Extech 380942 True RMS 30A AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter, 0.1mA

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Extech MA120 200A AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter with Voltage Detector | 200A AC/DC, built-in NCV with LED, data hold, MIN/MAX, relative mode, compact, auto power off

Extech MA120 200A AC/DC Mini Clamp Meter with Voltage Detector

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Products shown because their documented specifications fit this guide. Price and availability are on Amazon and can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does full DMM mean on the listing?

That the meter includes the standard multimeter functions through its test leads, such as voltage, resistance and continuity, in addition to clamp current. The exact function list is on the manufacturer's datasheet.

Why an 80 A range?

It covers residential branch circuits, small motors, appliances, automotive and marine loads with better resolution than a 400 A clamp, while still reading more than a 30 A low-current clamp.

Are the Amazon listing bullets correct?

At the time of writing the feature bullets describe a light meter, which is an error. The listing title, model number and manufacturer documentation describe an 80 A AC/DC mini clamp with a 4000-count display and full DMM functions.

Does it measure DC current through the jaw?

Yes. The title describes it as an AC/DC clamp, so it reads DC current through the jaw, which suits automotive and battery work.

Affiliate disclosure: Akermin earns a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page. Our editorial picks are based on documented specifications and owner feedback, not commissions.