RECALL - Digital Clamp and Multimeters

[Michael Larson]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2010
Release #11-067 Firm's Recall Hotline: (855) 239-8324
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Extech Instruments Recalls Digital Clamp and Multimeters due to Electrocution Hazard

Description: This recall involves Extech digital clamp meters with model numbers EX612, EX613, EX622 and EX623 and multimeters with model numbers EX540, EX542 and EX570. “Extech” and the model number can be found on the front of the product and the serial number on the rear. Serial numbers that begin with "A" are not included in the recall.

[Bob Elliott]

That clamp meter was a waste of money for me.
Does anyone even use the things during routine inspection?

Thanks for posting this though.

[Russell J. Hensel]

I use them all the time. Good way to see if things are operating as intended. Such as an electric pool heater. You can see and hear the fan kick on, but no way to tell if the compressor is working. You would have to sit for a long time to heat the pool. So why not turn it on, place this meter over the wire and see what its pulling. Most of the time it pulls from 19-30 amps. If it pulls only 2-3 amps for a long period of time, the compressor isn't kicking in. I then take a picture when it is or is not operating as intended and place it into my report to either prove #1 it was working or #2 its not working.

So in short, I use one every day.

[Bob Elliott]

Electric pool heater.
You guys just gotta keep rubbing it in all the time .

[Alfred L. Pelletier]

Use it all the time to check A/C compressors or any other electrical unit drawing amps or for overloads on circuit breakers.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by belliott

That clamp meter was a waste of money for me.
Does anyone even use the things during routine inspection?

Have one in the tool kit which I use a couple times/year. Always good to be able to check amperage if necessary......can tell you nothing's wrong or confirm your suspicions if something seems amiss.