AstroAI Digital Clamp Meter Review
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AstroAI Digital Clamp Meter
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
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- Design
- Functionality
- Price
AstroAI Digital Clamp Meter Review
Its auto-ranging feature permits operation by complete novices, negating the requirement of intricate voltage, current, and resistance metric knowledge. And, with a CAT III safety rating, it’s more than suitable for domestic single-phase systems.
True RMS ensures investigative accuracy, delivering greater precision than the standard RMS included on most budget-priced machines. Furthermore, a memory HOLD, MIN, and MAX system provide welcome recall of your most recent project.
Pleasingly compact, it will slip easily into toolboxes and work overall pockets. Yet, with a generously-sized clamp head, it can more than cope with large-diameter wiring such as steel-reinforced cables.
A bright backlit LCD screen allows you to wield the machine in poorly lit areas, while auto-shutoff promises valuable energy saving of the included nine-volt battery.
This tool comes from the AstroAI stable — a Chinese company that manufactures and retails automotive and household appliances with an affordable pricing structure. The DT201D is its flagship product in its clamp meter category.
Specifications:
- Weight – 11.78 ounces
- Voltage – 600 volts
- Current – 1000 amps
- Safety Rating –Cat III
Features:
- Continuity testing.
- Budget price.
- Compact size with a large jaw.
Pros:
Cons:
Features and Benefits of the AstroAI Clamp Meter
Let’s get down to business and see what this unit can do.
CAT III Safety Rating
Despite being a home-focused machine, the Astro AI DT201D Clamper has a maximum CAT III (600-volt) safety rating. This grading standard indicates that the tool can handle not only single-phase electrical circuits and concomitant appliances, but also industrial grade three-phase systems.
If you want more information on CAT Ratings — take a look at my complete guide to these safety certifications.
Auto-Ranging
You don’t need to be a pro electrician to operate the DT201D.
With intelligent auto-ranging technology, there’s no requirement to waste time consulting manuals to set the readout range. It automatically detects whether the voltage, resistance, or current should be displayed in tens, hundredths, or thousandths.
True RMS
This is impressive.
Although the unit costs less than a cheap night out, it still boasts impressive tech.
TRMS (True Root Mean Square) offers greater accuracy than the standard RMS system usually seen on pocket-friendly machines. It guarantees more accurate circuitry testing, by investigating wave frequency fluctuations instead of purely peak readings.
This amount of precision is absolutely essential if you’re tackling electrical components or wiring that requires exactitude — such as compressors, PCBs (printed circuit boards), and microchips.
Should you want to discover more about TRMS and RMS — and why it’s important for your clamp or multimeter — check out my complete 101 here.
Compact With Large Jaw
With pleasingly compact proportions — just 9.2 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches — the AstroAI clamp meter will effortlessly fit into work trouser pockets and toolboxes. Furthermore, its slimline design permits you to use the testing tool in confined areas — such as beneath sinks and inside air-con housings.
However, while the unit body is small, the clamp head is pleasingly generous. Capable of testing wiring up to 1.65 inches in diameter — it can tackle the thickest of cables when current testing.
Memory
If, like me, you’re challenged in the short-term memory department — fear not.
The Digital Clamp Meter from AstroAI includes a HOLD function, allowing you to retrieve your last circuitry testing reading — meaning you don’t have to search for an elusive pen and paper to write down the results.
Furthermore, it also boasts a welcome MIN and MAX feature, giving you the peaks and troughs of your voltage and current levels.
Backlit LCD Screen
Testing electrical circuitry can mean working in poorly lit conditions — such as inside fuse boxes, beneath floorboards, and in attics.
Thankfully, the AstroAI Clampmeter boasts a blue-lighted backlit LCD screen, permitting you to effortlessly read the display without recourse to a secondary work lamp. Furthermore, its large digit readout means that users challenged in the eye department can easily distinguish the testing numbers without searching for reading glasses.
Auto-Shut Off
When you’re dealing with exposed wires — you don’t want your clamp meter to fail mid-project. Not knowing whether the circuit is live not only is a worrying concern, but it’s also dangerous.
Therefore, it’s nice to see that the AstroAI Clamper Meter incorporates auto-shutoff — saving valuable battery life and reducing the likelihood of an unexpected breakdown.
Temperature Testing
This is astounding.
Few sub-$50 clamp meters feature temperature testing. Hence, it’s remarkable to see that AstroAI has included this function on their tool.
Offering a range from -40 through to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, it allows the machine to investigate microchip efficiency, automotive problems, air-con condensers, and heating elements. Furthermore, with a simple press of the button, you can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius metrics.
Multifunction
For a budget tool, the AstroAI Electrical Clamp Meter has impressive testing capabilities. In conjunction with its TRMS tech, you can utilize this unit for examining:
Diodes.
Continuity.
Voltage.
Current.
Resistance.
Capacity.
Frequency.
Temperature.
Included Accessories
In addition to the tool itself, the AstroAI Clamp Digital Meter also arrives with:
- Soft carrying case.
- Testing leads.
- Probe tip protectors.
- Temperature investigative cables.
- 9-volt battery.
AstroAI LCD Digital Clamp Meter Specifications
| Astro AI DT201D | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 11.78 ounces |
| Jaw Size | 1.65 inches |
| Display Size | 1.81 x 1.93 inches |
| Voltage | 600 Volts |
| Current | 1000 Amps |
| Highest Safety Rating | CAT III |
| Size | 9.2 x 4.3 x 1.8 inches |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Auto-Power Off | Yes |
| Diode Testing | Yes |
| Auto-Ranging | Yes |
| Resistance | 60 MΩ |
| Frequency | 60 MHz |
| Capacitance | 20 mF |
| Temperature Range | -40 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit |
What Do Users Say About the DT201D Clamp Meter?
In my opinion, the Clamp Meter DT201D from AstroAI is a high-specced DIY-focused machine that arrives at a surprisingly affordable price point.
However, unlike owners of this unit, I’m not utilizing this tool on a frequent basis — meaning my view may be less than accurate. Hence, to ensure a completely thorough AstroAI clamp meter review, I delved into the testimonials of guys who have purchased this tool — to see exactly how it functions in the field.
Reassuringly, the opinions conveyed were overwhelmingly positive. Proud owners of this machine expressed satisfaction at the function-to-price ratio — extolling its temperature testing facility, TRMS tech, auto-ranging feature, and CAT III safety rating.
Naturally, not all views were positive. One user felt that the testing leads were of sub-standard quality, and wouldn’t stand up to hardcore use. Another DIYer was disappointed at the non-user-friendly plethora of buttons and dial settings, believing it was unnecessarily complicated for the home or casual operator.
That said, all owners of the DT201D Clamping Meter concurred that the machine was a high-performing tool within reach of every DIYers’ wallet.
Alternatives to the AstroAI DT201D
If, despite its multi-function capability and pleasing price point, you’re less than impressed by the DT201D — stick around.
Below are three comparable alternatives that may be more suited to your project requirements and demands.
The HT206D from KAIWEETS boasts this impressive tech, allowing you to check for stray or ghost voltages that may affect your readout results. Furthermore, it’s comparable to the DT201D with auto-ranging, temperature testing, and continuity scrutinization.
- Harder on the wallet than the AstroAI.
- CAT III certification — the same rating as the DT201D.
- At 7.68 ounces, it’s significantly lighter than the AstroAI.
The MA440 from Extech is over an inch narrower than the AstroAI, not just allowing it to slip into seriously confined spaces, but also making it more comfortable for pocket carriage.
- Tougher on your bank balance than the DT201D.
- Smaller jaw — 1.2 inches compared to the AstroAI’s 1.65 inches.
- Rated for 600 volts — the same as the DT201D.
With NCV, the DL469 alerts you to live wires and components without having to touch the electrical system — providing an additional safety feature that may appeal to novice and non-pro users.
- Like the DT201D, it has a CAT III safety rating.
- Incorporated work light — not a feature of the AstroAI.
- Lacks temperature testing — a function included with the DT201D.
Conclusion
Temperature testing — unusual in budget machines — permits you to utilize the clamp meter on HVAC and automotive applications. A CAT III safety rating delivers reassuring protection against high voltages, while auto-ranging permits use by complete electrical testing novices.
Admittedly, the robustness of the testing leads is somewhat questionable — but this is a low price point machine, and they can easily be replaced if a failure occurs. And sure, the plethora of dial settings and button functions may require the novice operator to frequently consult the included manual for guidance.
But, if you want one of the most comprehensive DIY multimeters with a remarkable feature-to-price ratio — I recommend getting your hands on the AstroAI Digital Clamp Meter.
AstroAI DT201D Digital Clamp Meter FAQs
Q: Where Can I Buy the AstroAI Clamp Digital Meter?
The Astro AI DT201D Clamp Meter is a budget electrical tester with an abundance of high-end features. You can purchase this impressive machine here.
Q: What Is the AstroAI Clamp DT201D Price?
Highly affordable and DIY-focused, the DT201D from Astro AI boasts TRMS, auto-ranging, and temperature testing. To check out the current cost of the AstroAI DT201D.
Q: Where Can I Find the AstroAI Clamp Meter DT201D Manual?
The official AstroAI website hosts a multitude of user guides for its products in its expansive library. For rapid access to the AstroAI DT201D manual.
Q: What Batteries Does the Clamp Meter AstroAI Use?
The DT201D from AstroAI utilizes a nine-volt PP9 power cell. This battery is included with the unit purchase.
Q: Is the Clamp Meter Multitester AstroAI DT201D Made In the USA?
While AstroAI has a distribution office in Brea, California, USA — its head office is in Chongqing, China. The manufacture of its products is divided between China and Vietnam.
Q: Can I Use the AstroAI DT 201D Clamp Meter For HVACR Projects?
Yes! Boasting a temperature testing facility delivering results from -40 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use the DT201 D for scrutinizing heating, ventilation, air-con, and refrigeration issues.
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