[jyl]

I'm interested in getting a clamp meter - one of those multimeters that reads AC current and voltage without actually touching the circuit.

The purpose is to read actual current in a household circuit that is in 3/4" PVC conduit.

Why you ask? I have two appliances connected to my subpanel, and am interested in adding a third, so I want to see how much current they will draw in actual operation.

The existing appliances are 1) electric clothes dryer, Whirlpool Duet, 240 V and specifies 30 A circuit, 2) dishwasher, Hobart LX40H, 240 V and specifies 50 A circuit

The proposed third appliance is 3) my in-restoration Elektra espresso machine, 240 V and specifies 30 A circuit.

The main breaker supplying the subpanel is only 60 A. So I want to figure out how much current these appliances actually draw at various points in their operation, so I can know how many of thee appliances I'd actually be able to operate concurrently.

Anyone able to recommend such a clamp meter?