"Si" $3o&m wrote in message
...
In message . com,
" writes

You need a different method to measure the current in the ring, e.g. a
clamp meter, and the knowledge of how to use it.

so that's what clamp meters are for - I've never bought one as I could
never work out why I might need one

--
Si

A useful DIY adjunct to a clamp meter is a shortish plug and socket
extension cord. One can then clamp between the plug and the socket (which
obviously feeds the device under test) and see whether current is flowing.
fr'instance switch the heaters ON and see whether the washing machine's
heaters are working. It can save hours/minutes of testing.
[Dribble will probably swear that real men use a hacksaw and gauge the size
of the arc.]
[[ Dyed-in-the-wool sparkies will insist that one takes the top off a plug
and insert the leads of their trusty war-surplus AVO in series with the LIVE
conductor where the fuse 'lives; if the range selectors are wrong they'll
just tape down the reset button, ]]

--

Brian