Best Fluke 381 Remote Display Trms Clamp Meter
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If you are looking at a fluke 381 remote display trms clamp meter, you are probably choosing between a large professional clamp and a smaller meter for routine current checks. The Fluke 381 pairs a jaw-type clamp with a magnetic display that detaches and can be carried up to 30 feet from the point of measurement, according to Fluke’s product page. This guide sets the 381 beside four other Fluke clamp meters from our product list so you can see which trade-offs matter for your work.
Quick answer
The Fluke 381 is the right reference point if you want a true-RMS clamp that can be read from a distance and that also takes a flexible iFlex probe for current beyond the jaw opening. If you mainly need a clamp for panel work and do not need a remote display, one of the other Fluke models below may suit you better. Every spec for the 381 in this article comes from Fluke’s product page. Specs for the other four picks come only from their Amazon listing titles, and we say so again in each section.
Fluke 381 at a glance
Fluke’s product page lists the following ranges and features for the 381:
- AC current, jaw: 999.9 A with 0.1 A resolution, stated accuracy 2% plus 5 digits, 10 to 100 Hz.
- AC current, iFlex flexible probe: 999.9 A and 2500 A ranges, 45 to 500 Hz, stated accuracy 3% plus 5 digits. The included probe is 18 inches long.
- DC current: 999.9 A, stated accuracy 2% plus 5 digits.
- AC voltage: 600 V and 1000 V ranges, 20 to 500 Hz.
- DC voltage: 600.0 V and 1000 V ranges.
- Resistance: 600 ohm, 6 kohm and 60 kohm ranges.
- Safety rating: 1000 V CAT III and 600 V CAT IV under IEC/EN 61010-1.
- Wireless link: 2.4 GHz, with a stated range of about 10 meters (30 feet) to the remote display.
The remote display is magnetic, so it can be stuck to a panel door or a metal enclosure. Fluke says the meter sets its own measurement range by radio, so you do not need to turn a rotary switch while reading from the display. That feature matters most when you are working on live equipment and want both hands free and the meter out of your line of sight.
How we chose
We started from productsPRODUCT-LIST.csv and kept only clamp meters whose titles name a Fluke brand and a true-RMS or clamp function. The Fluke 381 itself is in the list under ASIN B004BF5ZEQ. We then added four more Fluke clamp models from the same list so that you can compare current range, voltage features and accessories. We did not add clamp meters from other brands, because the keyword is specific to Fluke. We also did not invent specs for any product. Where a claim below appears only in a listing title, the text says that.
The picks
Fluke 381 Remote Display True-RMS Clamp Meter with iFlex (ASIN B004BF5ZEQ)
This is the model the keyword names. Its main strength is the detachable display and the automatic range selection through the radio link. Its iFlex probe pushes the AC current range to 2500 A on the flexible probe, which helps when a cable is too large or too tightly packed for the jaws. Fluke’s page also notes an inrush feature for capturing motor starting current, and an integrated low-pass filter for noisy readings. These are the details to check if your work involves variable frequency drives or motors that start under load.
Fluke 376 FC 1000A AC/DC True RMS Clamp Meter with 36 inch iFlex (ASIN B09MBQKRJK)
The listing title gives a 1000 A AC/DC true-RMS rating and a 36-inch iFlex probe. Those are the only specs we could confirm for this model, because we did not open a Fluke page for the 376 FC. If your work needs a longer flexible probe than the 381 ships with, the title suggests this model is a candidate. Check the included accessories before you buy, since the title does not list a remote display.
Fluke 378FC AC/DC TRMS Non-Contact Voltage Wireless Clamp with PQ Indicator and iFlex (ASIN B0916K6JZF)
This is the closest sibling to the 381 in our list, because its title also names a wireless clamp and an iFlex probe. The title adds a non-contact voltage function and a power-quality (PQ) indicator. A non-contact voltage check is useful for a quick look at a conductor before you open a panel, but it is not a substitute for a proper voltage test. The title alone does not give a current range or display distance, so confirm both with Fluke before you rely on them.
Fluke 325 True-RMS Clamp Meter with Frequency, Temperature and Capacitance (ASIN B0091EXB2A)
The 325 is a wired clamp, and its title lists frequency, temperature and capacitance measurements. That mix suits a technician who checks motor drives, HVAC equipment or small capacitors in the same visit. Unlike the 381, the title does not mention a remote display or a flexible probe. If you do not need to read from a distance, this model may cost less to own and carry, but the listing does not give a price or range for us to compare.
Fluke 323 Clamp Meter for Commercial and Residential Electricians (ASIN B00AQKIEXY)
The listing title gives AC current to 400 A and AC/DC voltage to 600 V, which is a smaller current range than the 381 jaw and iFlex combination. For many residential and light commercial jobs, a 400 A range covers the mains feeders and branch circuits you will meet. The 381 earns its higher price only when you need the larger range, the remote display, or the iFlex probe. This is the pick to consider if a 400 A limit is enough and you want a simpler meter.
Clamp meter basics for this choice
Wikipedia’s clamp meter article explains that the jaws sense the magnetic field around a conductor, so the meter reads current without breaking the circuit. The article also notes that the clamp reads the vector sum of the currents inside the jaws, which means two conductors carrying equal and opposite current will read close to zero if both are clamped together. Technicians separate the conductors and clamp one at a time.
Wikipedia’s ammeter article adds that an ordinary ammeter is connected in series with the circuit, while a clamp-on ammeter is a portable tool that clips over a wire. That difference explains why a clamp is the usual tool for live work. It also explains the role of the iFlex probe on the 381: a flexible coil reaches around bus bars and bundled cables that a rigid jaw cannot close around.
The clamp article also says that transformer-type clamps work only with AC or pulse waveforms, while Hall effect and iron vane types can measure DC. If you need DC current on a battery bank or a solar string, check the meter’s DC current specification before you buy. The 381’s DC current figure comes from Fluke’s page. The other four picks are described here only from their listing titles, so confirm their DC capability on the product page.
Who should consider the Fluke 381
The 381 suits a technician who spends time in switchgear rooms, machine shops or service panels where reading from a distance is useful. The remote display can sit on a cabinet while you work at the terminals. Its iFlex probe fits the case where the jaws will not close. It is less suited to someone who needs only a basic clamp for occasional household checks, because the feature set is larger than most homeowners will use.
Consider the 376 FC or 323 if your main need is the current range and you do not need the remote display. Consider the 378FC if non-contact voltage and power-quality indication are part of your routine. Consider the 325 if frequency, temperature and capacitance matter more than a remote display.
What we could not verify
- We did not open Fluke product pages for the 376 FC, 378FC, 325 or 323, so their ranges come only from the Amazon listing titles in our product list.
- We did not verify any remote display distance for the 378FC or 376 FC. The 30 foot figure applies to the 381 only, as stated on Fluke’s page.
- We did not check battery life, weight or warranty terms for any of the five models.
- We did not test any of the meters ourselves, so accuracy claims are the manufacturer’s stated figures.
- Prices change often, so this article does not list prices.
FAQ
Is the Fluke 381 a true-RMS meter?
Fluke’s product page describes it as True-RMS AC/DC. True-RMS matters when the current waveform is distorted by drives or electronic loads, because an average-responding meter can misread those waveforms.
What is the iFlex probe for?
The iFlex is a flexible current probe. It lets you measure current in a cable or bus bar that the jaws cannot close around. On the 381, Fluke states an AC iFlex range up to 2500 A on the 18-inch probe.
Can I use the remote display for every measurement?
The product page describes radio control of the measurement range and a display that can be carried up to about 30 feet away. Test your own setup before you rely on it in a noisy or metal-heavy environment.
Does a clamp meter replace a multimeter?
Not entirely. A clamp is designed for current, and most clamp meters also measure voltage and resistance, but a dedicated bench multimeter is more precise for low-level voltage and resistance work. Our article on best true-RMS digital clamp meters covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Related guides
If you are still comparing clamp styles, read our guide to Fluke clamp testers for a wider view of the Fluke line. Our true-RMS clamp meter guide explains why waveform shape matters for readings on modern equipment.
Sources
- Fluke, Fluke 381 product page: https://www.fluke.com/en-us/product/electrical-testing/clamp-meters/fluke-381 (opened 2026-10-29)
- Wikipedia, Clamp meter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamp_meter (opened 2026-10-29)
- Wikipedia, Ammeter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammeter (opened 2026-10-29)
