On Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:42:07 -0600, Chris Friesen
wrote:

wrote:

Does anyone know of a way to measure the current being used on a
single circuit breaker from just one of the wall outlets on that
circuit?

Nope. You need a clamp-on ammeter around the wire going to the breaker.

What are you plugging into the outlet? The easiest method is just
estimate it from the power rating of the device you are plugging in.
There should be a Wattage (Power) marking somewhere on a nameplate on
the device. The current will be approximately = P/120 (assuming
your voltage is 120V). Example - If you are running a 1200 W space
heater, that would take 10A.

If it is a motorized appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, it will have
a power factor of less than one, which means it will draw slightly
more current than it actually consumes in measurable output power.

If it is a heavy duty appliance like an air-conditioner, the startup
currrent may be high (almost double) during the fraction of a second
that it is coming up to spead.