Negative Amps?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=138479
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Topic: Negative Amps?
Posted By: txjeep
Subject: Negative Amps?
Date Posted: February 13, 2015 at 12:30 AM
I am running a wire from an ACC hot wire, through a switch w/ and LED light, then to a relay. I put my clamp multimeter on the wire going into the switch, it shows 0.155A which make sense, since its powering the LED and the relay. I put my multimeter on the positive wire between the relay and the switch and it's showing a negative 0.050A. How is it possible that my positive wire is showing a negative amp reading?
The LED switch is not fully illuminated, like the ground isn't the best. So even though that is a bit strange, how could you possibly get to a negative amp reading on a positive wire???
Replies:
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: February 13, 2015 at 12:39 AM
When you say "clamp" multimeter, do you mean your are using a current clamp?
If so, reverse the (DC) clamp direction, or realise that DC current clamps are not that accurate.
Posted By: txjeep
Date Posted: February 13, 2015 at 1:04 AM
Thanks oldspark. Amazing what happpens when you turn the clamp around. It magically shows a positive amp reading...
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