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High-accuracy DC clamp meters improve current measurement precision
Conrad adds Voltcraft clamp meters designed for DC-heavy applications such as solar storage, UPS maintenance, EV charging and DC microgrids.
www.conrad.com
Two new clamp meters by Voltcraft, the VC-515 (pictured) and the VC-513, are now supplied by the Conrad Sourcing Platform.
Reliable DC current measurement is increasingly critical in solar storage, EV charging infrastructure, industrial power systems and UPS servicing, where small deviations can impact diagnostics and safety. Against this background, Conrad is now supplying Voltcraft’s VC-513 and VC-515 DC clamp meters, positioned as improving DC reading accuracy by a factor of 10 compared with similar products.
A DC measurement focus for power electronics and charging systems
Both meters are designed for situations where DC readings are difficult to capture with stable precision, especially in systems such as solar batteries, chargers, charging infrastructure and backup power supplies. While the VC-513 and VC-515 serve slightly different use cases, they share the same design intent: delivering higher-resolution DC measurements in field testing and maintenance.
What “high accuracy” means in the specifications
Voltcraft differentiates the two models mainly by DC current range while keeping a similar resolution level.
Reliable DC current measurement is increasingly critical in solar storage, EV charging infrastructure, industrial power systems and UPS servicing, where small deviations can impact diagnostics and safety. Against this background, Conrad is now supplying Voltcraft’s VC-513 and VC-515 DC clamp meters, positioned as improving DC reading accuracy by a factor of 10 compared with similar products.
A DC measurement focus for power electronics and charging systems
Both meters are designed for situations where DC readings are difficult to capture with stable precision, especially in systems such as solar batteries, chargers, charging infrastructure and backup power supplies. While the VC-513 and VC-515 serve slightly different use cases, they share the same design intent: delivering higher-resolution DC measurements in field testing and maintenance.
What “high accuracy” means in the specifications
Voltcraft differentiates the two models mainly by DC current range while keeping a similar resolution level.
- The VC-513 provides a 4 A DC range with 0.001 A resolution and a stated accuracy of ± (3.0% + 13).
- The VC-515 provides a 6 A DC range with 0.001 A resolution and a stated accuracy of ± (3.0% + 20).
Both models also support AC measurements, with the VC-513 specified for measurements up to 80 A, and the VC-515 up to 160 A.
Troubleshooting multi-battery setups and DC microgrids
The meters are positioned for maintenance and troubleshooting across industry, UPS and automotive technology, particularly where charging currents, charger performance and battery output need verification.
A stated use case is testing strings of connected power banks: the VC-500 series supports series circuit testing to help identify performance issues of individual batteries in setups of up to 20 connected power banks, targeting faster fault isolation in complex battery configurations.
Voltcraft also links the product positioning to DC microgrids—localized direct-current energy systems used in environments such as factories to generate, store and use energy internally with reduced conversion overhead. In these architectures, DC clamp meters are used to validate charging/discharging currents and check circuit behavior without breaking the line.
Jaw geometry and sensor components aligned with application needs
Cable cross-section and clamp geometry directly affect measurement reliability in clamp meters. Voltcraft specifies improved coils and Hall elements in both meters, while using different jaw sizes to match different conductor and cabinet constraints.
Troubleshooting multi-battery setups and DC microgrids
The meters are positioned for maintenance and troubleshooting across industry, UPS and automotive technology, particularly where charging currents, charger performance and battery output need verification.
A stated use case is testing strings of connected power banks: the VC-500 series supports series circuit testing to help identify performance issues of individual batteries in setups of up to 20 connected power banks, targeting faster fault isolation in complex battery configurations.
Voltcraft also links the product positioning to DC microgrids—localized direct-current energy systems used in environments such as factories to generate, store and use energy internally with reduced conversion overhead. In these architectures, DC clamp meters are used to validate charging/discharging currents and check circuit behavior without breaking the line.
Jaw geometry and sensor components aligned with application needs
Cable cross-section and clamp geometry directly affect measurement reliability in clamp meters. Voltcraft specifies improved coils and Hall elements in both meters, while using different jaw sizes to match different conductor and cabinet constraints.
- VC-513: jaw opening ~17 mm, AC/DC measurement up to 80 A
- VC-515: jaw width 22 mm, AC/DC measurement up to 160 A
Multimeter functions and panel-ready usability features
Although the VC-513 and VC-515 are focused on DC current measurement, they also include common multimeter functions expected in this class: True RMS, duty cycle, frequency/temperature measurement, max/min display, relative mode, and NCV.
The VC-515 additionally supports inrush current testing and is designed for both AC and DC readings up to 160 A. For readability in electrical cabinets, Voltcraft adds high-contrast displays: 4000-count on the VC-513 and 6000-count on the VC-515, along with an integrated LED work light near the jaws. A thumb-operated Data Hold button is included to store readings that may not be visible during measurement.
www.conrad.com
Although the VC-513 and VC-515 are focused on DC current measurement, they also include common multimeter functions expected in this class: True RMS, duty cycle, frequency/temperature measurement, max/min display, relative mode, and NCV.
The VC-515 additionally supports inrush current testing and is designed for both AC and DC readings up to 160 A. For readability in electrical cabinets, Voltcraft adds high-contrast displays: 4000-count on the VC-513 and 6000-count on the VC-515, along with an integrated LED work light near the jaws. A thumb-operated Data Hold button is included to store readings that may not be visible during measurement.
www.conrad.com
