What is used on a large diameter wire to measure current?

A clamp-on amp meter is used to measure current in a large diameter wire without needing to make direct electrical contact with the conductor. This tool utilizes a principle called electromagnetic induction. When the clamp is closed around the conductor, it detects the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the wire. This allows for accurate current measurements to be made, especially in scenarios where it would be impractical or unsafe to disconnect the circuit.

In contrast, a multimeter typically requires direct connection to the circuit and may not be suitable for large wires without suitable test leads, which could limit its usage and safety. An oscilloscope is primarily designed for visualizing waveforms of voltage and does not directly measure current like a clamp meter does. A voltage meter is focused on measuring voltage levels and would not be applicable for direct current measurement in a conductor. Each of these alternatives has its specific applications, highlighting the unique functionality of a clamp-on amp meter for measuring current in large diameter conductors.