BRAND SUMMARY
Parent Company: Danaher Corporation
Headquartered: Everett, Washington, USA
Product Focus: Test / Measurement Tools
Target Markets: Low (to $50), Mid ($50 to $250), Premium ($1000+)
Production Facilities: USA, Germany
Employees: 63,000 (Danaher)
Amprobe multimeters are a stalwart in the world of electrical test equipment and measuring tools, having been in the industry for well over 60 years. The inventor of the wire tracer and amp clamp meter produces a huge inventory of measuring devices today and its name is synonymous with innovativeness, quality and durability.
Their multimeters cover several types, including pocket size, general purpose, industrial and precision. They are also tailored to specific trades, such as HVAC, plant maintenance, residential or utilities, and are competitively priced across all categories.
Some recommended examples of their popular test meters:
PM55A Pocket Multimeter
This little DMM is one of Amprobe’s star meters. It can do most of what a full size multimeter can do, yet can easily be slipped into a pocket. Included with voltage, resistance and continuity tests is the ability to measure capacitance and milliamp current. The PM55A also boasts voltage-sensing and auto-detecting features, is quite accurate and has a large screen. Read more…
Amprobe AM-510
Part of Amprobe’s 500 series of multimeters, the 510 is a solid entry level meter at a good price. Features include auto and manual ranging, all current ranges, plus capacitance. It also has a nice backlit display and even a voltage detector. Read more…
Amprobe AM-530
The slightly pricier 530 is also part of the same series and also comes with non-contact voltage detection, and everything the 510 has. It includes a temperature input and a handy LED flashlight of all things. Read more…
Amprobe AM-560
The 560 is a well rated meter aimed at the HVAC industry. It can measure micro-amp outputs of flame sensors and includes a dual temperature measurement mode. Although only an average RMS responder, this does not make a huge difference for those not into motor drive maintenance. Read more…
Amprobe AM-570
This is the top of the range of this series of meters, having a CAT-IV rating and rugged features. A low pass filter mode dissipates any ghost voltages in a neighboring system. A good alternative to a comparable Fluke, having a good level of input protection, yet for a much cheaper price. Read more…
Company Background
Amprobe started out as the Pyramid Instrument Company in Long Island, New York, not long after WWII. They produced the very first amp clamp meter and launched it in 1948 and, as a result of their affiliation with amp clamps, changed their name to the Amprobe Instrument Corporation in 1960.
They remained designing and producing test meters at their base in Long Island up until the company was moved to Florida in 1999, when they merged with Advanced Test Products (ATP). They would move again in 2006 to Everett, Washington, after their acquisition by the massive Danaher Corporation.
It was only natural that Danaher would eventually take them on, since much of their focus is on testing and measuring, environmental products and industrial technologies.
Today
They continues to move forward and produce an array of measuring tools, to include a catalog of accurate and reliable clamp meters. Decades’ worth of knowhow has lead to an inventory of hundreds of products being produced in the US and at their European Headquarters in Glottertal, Germany. All of their equipment is tested at in-house labs to ensure they conform with stringent IEC and CE safety regs.
Products
Amprobe’s products include everything from clamp meters and DMMs to voltage sticks, battery testers together with numerous accessories, such as probe leads and thermometers. Their tools are typically intuitive and well built, and used by professionals and amateurs alike in the home, business and industry.
Amprobe Multimeters
Although the amp clamp was their claim to fame and they make dozens of models, they also produce around 30 types of Amprobe multimeters. These include everything from pocket multimeters for general purpose work to CATIV-rated industrial models and precision meters. The PM55A pocket multimeter is one of the most popular of its kind on the market, and they also produce an excellent line of amp clamp multimeters.
Other Test Equipment
Clamp Meters: the original bread and butter of the firm, today there’s a huge choice. They range from mini-clamps to swivel clamp meters and the heavy-duty Navigator Series. The AMP 200 and 300 series of True RMS amp clamps are especially handy. They can do everything a full function multimeter can do by incorporating those test features into the non-contact current measuring tool.
HVAC Tools: Amprobe produce a full range of tools for HVAC engineers. There are devices to check for gas leaks and measure temperature and humidity, for example, with the more advanced tools featuring built-in wireless technology.
Electrical Testers: these include voltage meters and non-contact voltage detectors to wire tracers and outlet testers.
Environmental: they also have specialist tools to measure everything from water and airflow / quality to light, sound, temperature and solar energy.
They produce a full line of accessories to complement their catalog of products, including probe leads for their test meters, temperature probes and thermocouples, current transducers, AC relays, leak detectors, battery chargers, flashlights, fuses, meter cases and more.