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| How to use an Appliance Load Tester |
This is the simple version of the clamp-on Multimeter. This tester gives you a quick,
accurate digital readout of Watts or Amps. You can use this for seeing how much power
your refrigerator, dehumidifier, space heater, microwave, coffeemaker, hair dryer, or
anything that gets plugged into an outlet uses. Obviously, we will use it to see how
much power (AMPS) our Christmas lights are using. This device differs from the Multimeter
because we don’t have to split the hot and neutral wires to take a reading. This device may
not be as accurate when measuring lower amperage lights such as LED’s but then if we were only
running a few strands of LED’s then we would not be concerned with overloading a circuit.
To use this device for testing lights you set the device to read AMPS. Then plug your lights
into the AmWatt meter and then plug the meter into an outlet. When the lights come on the
meter will display the number of AMPS that the string is consuming. It is as simple as that!
Keep in mind a typical outlet is rated for 15 AMPS, so if you get readings that are above 13
AMPS you should consider distributing the electrical load to other outlets.
This tool can be purchased at Northern Tool And Equipment. Take this item number with you
as it is sometime hard to locate in the store.
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Reliance Amwatt Appliance Load Tester
Item# 100300
Price $24.99
http://www.northerntool.com
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