Electricity for HVACR Practice Test

When using a clamp-on ammeter, it is essential to understand how it measures current. This device is designed to measure the magnetic field produced by the current flowing through the conductor it encloses. When the jaws of a clamp-on ammeter are placed around two separate conductors simultaneously, the magnetic fields produced by the currents in each conductor can interact. If the currents in these conductors are flowing in opposite directions, their magnetic fields may cancel each other out, leading to a zero or very low reading on the meter.

Moreover, if the currents are flowing in the same direction but are not equal, the clamp meter will measure the net magnetic field, which may not accurately represent the current in either conductor. This results in an inaccurate reading as the device does not have the capability to differentiate between the two currents effectively.

Therefore, placing the jaws of a clamp-on ammeter around two separate conductors will generate an inaccurate reading, which is why this conclusion is correct within the context of using this type of measurement tool.