Fieldpiece Sc240

Fieldpiece Sc240

ByKen

Fieldpiece SC240 Clamp Meter: Specs, Status and How to Use It

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The Fieldpiece SC240 is a compact HVAC/R clamp meter with a 400 A AC clamp, volts AC and DC, resistance, capacitance, a temperature input and non-contact voltage detection. Two retailer listings we could open describe it the same way, but both also flag the model as discontinued or retired. This guide sets out what those pages confirm, what they leave open, and how to use the meter safely if you already own one or find a used unit.

Quick answer

The SC240 is a 400 A AC clamp meter with a Type K thermocouple and a padded case. The pages we read give no voltage, resistance, capacitance or temperature range numbers, and they disagree on whether the model is still sold. Check the current Fieldpiece product page before you buy, and confirm the ranges from the printed manual that ships with your unit.

How we chose what to include

We opened two retailer pages for the SC240 and one retailer page for the SC260 that is often mentioned as a successor. We used only facts that appeared on a page we could read. Search snippets, price claims and listed counts from pages we could not open are left out. Where the two SC240 pages agree, we say so; where they differ, we say that too.

What the SC240 measures

Both SC240 listings describe the same set of functions. The lists below are what the pages say, not independently tested figures.

  • AC current: 400 A AC through the clamp. One listing prints it as “400AAC”, which appears to be a typo for 400 A AC.
  • Voltage: AC and DC volts. No voltage range is given on either page.
  • Resistance: Up to 40 MΩ, with 0.01 resolution, per the Budget Heating listing.
  • Capacitance: Listed as a function, with no range given.
  • Temperature: Reads in °F or °C through the included Type K thermocouple. No numeric range is given.
  • Non-contact voltage: Listed as a feature by the search and listing summaries, but we did not see it stated on the two pages we opened, so treat it as unconfirmed for your unit.

Both pages list the same accessories, which is the strongest agreement between them.

Included accessories

  • The SC240 meter itself.
  • ADLS2 deluxe silicone test leads with gold-plated tips and a removable sheath.
  • ATB1 wrap-tab Type K thermocouple for temperature readings.
  • A Velcro strap for holding the meter to a pipe or duct.
  • One 9 V battery.
  • An ANC4 padded carry case.

Status: discontinued, retired or still sold?

The sources disagree here. The Budget Heating page lists the SC240 as discontinued. The Ricambi page carries “Retired” in its title, yet the same page shows the unit as available with dispatch in about three working days. The SC260 page we opened from HVAC Shop lists the SC260 as active, with a 400 A AC range and the same accessory set. One retailer’s search snippet described the SC260 as a replacement for the SC240, but we did not confirm that claim from a Fieldpiece page, so do not treat the SC260 as the official successor without checking.

If you are buying, ask the seller whether the unit is new stock or a used or old-stock item, and whether it comes with the manual. Stock that was sold as discontinued may be sold out or may be an older revision.

How to use the SC240 step by step

The steps below are general clamp meter practice that fits a meter with this function set. Check the manual that ships with your unit for the exact range and jaw details before relying on them.

Step 1: Set the function before you clamp

Turn the dial to AC current before you clamp the jaw around a conductor. Clamp meters read current through the magnetic field, so you must have the jaw closed fully around one conductor only. Clamping around both the hot and neutral of a cable gives a near-zero reading because the currents cancel.

Step 2: Use the right jacks for voltage and resistance

For volts and resistance, move the red lead to the voltage and resistance jack and keep the black lead in COM. The clamp jaw does not measure voltage. Keep the leads in the correct jacks for every voltage test, and remove them before you clamp for current.

Step 3: Measure temperature with the thermocouple

Plug the Type K thermocouple into the temperature input, select the temperature function and choose °F or °C. Attach the wrap-tab tip to the surface you want to read, and hold it still until the reading settles. Surface contact matters more than the meter itself, so press the tip flat and insulate it from the air if you can.

Step 4: Check the jaw and leads before each job

Look for chips or debris on the jaw faces, since a gap stops the jaw from closing and throws off readings. Inspect the leads for cracked insulation. Replace the 9 V battery when the display shows a low-battery indicator, because a weak battery can give false readings.

Safety basics for clamp work

Work on a clamp meter only within its stated category and voltage rating, and never clamp around bare conductors or wires you have not identified. Keep your fingers behind the jaw guard, and do not open the jaw on a live conductor. The listings we read do not give a measurement category for the SC240 on the pages we opened, so do not assume a rating. Check the printed label on your unit or the manual before using it on mains.

Who the SC240 fits

The SC240 suits a technician or homeowner who wants a small clamp meter for HVAC checks, such as a compressor or fan current, a supply temperature or a quick resistance test on a heating element. It is a compact tool with a useful accessory set. If the discontinued status matters to you, compare it with a current model before paying for an older unit.

Related guides on this site

For how clamp meters compare with other tools, read our guide to the best true RMS digital clamp meters. If you also need a non-contact check for live wires, see our guide to the best NCV testers.

What we could not verify

  • Voltage, capacitance and temperature ranges: Neither SC240 page gives numeric ranges. We did not find a Fieldpiece spec sheet that we could open.
  • Resistance and frequency detail: The 40 MΩ resistance figure comes from one listing only. Frequency and resolution claims from search snippets were not confirmed on a page we opened.
  • Current status: The sources disagree on whether the SC240 is discontinued, retired or sold new.
  • Successor: We did not confirm from a manufacturer page that the SC260 replaces the SC240.
  • Price: Retailer prices were not consistent across the pages we could open, so no price is quoted.
  • Third source: A third independent source that we could open was not available. The GT Sanders and Geary Pacific pages returned access errors, and the Test Equipment Depot page returned a not-found error. The Fieldpiece manufacturer page was not opened.

FAQ

Is the Fieldpiece SC240 still made?

The sources disagree. One listing says discontinued and another says retired but available. Check Fieldpiece or an authorized dealer before you buy.

What is the AC current rating?

Both listings give 400 A AC through the clamp. The Budget Heating page prints the value as “400AAC”, which is a typo for 400 A AC.

Does the SC240 measure temperature?

Yes. It reads °F or °C through the included Type K thermocouple. The pages do not give a numeric temperature range.

What accessories come with it?

Both listings include ADLS2 silicone leads, an ATB1 Type K thermocouple, a Velcro strap, a 9 V battery and an ANC4 padded case.

Can I use it on a live wire to check voltage?

Use the voltage jacks with the leads for volts, and use the clamp only for current. Confirm the voltage rating on your unit’s label or manual before you test mains circuits.

Sources

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