Klein Cl 220

As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. The Klein Tools CL220 is a 400 A AC clamp meter with a thermocouple probe and a non-contact voltage detector built into the jaw. Readers searching for the klein cl 220 usually want one of three things: how to take a current reading safely, whether the meter does what the box claims, or whether it is a good replacement for the older CL210. This guide answers all three using Klein’s CL220 product page, Klein’s CL210 page, and a retailer listing for the CL210. Where a spec comes from only one page, we say so.

Quick answer

To use the CL220, clamp one insulated conductor for AC current, use the test leads for voltage and continuity, use the probe for temperature, and use the built-in detector to check for live conductors before you open the jaw. Klein lists the meter as a current product with a CAT III 600 V rating.

What the CL220 measures

Klein’s CL220 page describes the meter as measuring AC current up to 400 A through the clamp, AC and DC voltage up to 600 V, resistance up to 20 MΩ, continuity and temperature from -40 °C to 1000 °C with a K-type thermocouple. The page also lists a non-contact voltage detector in the jaw. The meter is auto-ranging TRMS with a 2000-count backlit LCD, and it has hold and max-value functions.

The combination matters for field work. A single meter that handles current clamping, a quick voltage check and a temperature reading covers most HVAC and residential electrical tasks. It does not replace a bench multimeter for precision voltage work or an insulation tester for motor and cable testing.

Listed specifications

AC current: up to 400 A through the clamp.
Voltage: AC and DC up to 600 V.
Resistance: up to 20 MΩ.
Temperature: -40 °C to 1000 °C (-40 °F to 1832 °F) with the probe.
Display: 2000-count backlit LCD.
Jaw: 1.6-inch (4.1 cm) opening, per the CL220 page.
Safety: CAT III 600 V, double insulated.
Drop protection: 2 m (6.6 ft), per the CL220 page.
Power: three AAA batteries.
Auto power-off: 10 minutes, per the CL220 page. The CL210 pages list about 15 minutes for the older model, so confirm the figure in the manual if the timer matters to you.

The larger jaw is the spec that changes how the meter fits real work. A 1.6-inch opening takes more conductor sizes than the 1.12-inch jaw on the CL210 that Klein lists as its predecessor. The CL220 page is the only source we opened for the jaw size, so check it against the conductor you plan to clamp.

How to measure AC current

Set the rotary switch to the AC current position with the test leads removed from the input jacks. Press the trigger, close the jaw around one insulated conductor, and make sure the jaw is fully seated. Clamping a hot and neutral together will read near zero, because the currents cancel. Wait for the display to settle before you read it. If the load cycles, use the hold or max function to capture the peak.

Before you open the clamp on an unknown circuit, use the built-in non-contact voltage detector to check whether the conductor is energized. Klein’s CL220 page does not describe the detector’s sensitivity or its voltage range, so treat it as a screening aid and confirm with a separate voltage check before you work on the conductor.

How to measure voltage, resistance and continuity

For voltage, plug the red lead into the VΩ jack and the black lead into COM. Choose AC or DC volts, then touch the probes to the two points you want to measure. Keep your fingers behind the probe guards. For resistance and continuity, select the resistance position, touch the probes across the component, and read the display. A continuity check only makes sense on a de-energized circuit. The 20 MΩ ceiling covers fuses, switches and short cable runs, but it does not cover insulation testing.

How to take a temperature reading

Plug the K-type probe into the meter, select the temperature function, and touch the tip to the surface you want to measure. Hold it still until the number stops changing. Pipe readings depend on good contact, so insulate the tip from air flow if the pipe is exposed. The range from -40 °C to 1000 °C is wide, but accuracy at each end of the range is not given on the pages we opened. Use the manual’s accuracy table for any reading that feeds a critical decision.

How the CL220 compares with the CL210

Klein’s CL210 page says that model is no longer in production and names the CL220 as its successor. A retailer listing for the CL210 gives a 400 A AC range, 600 V AC and DC voltage, 20 MΩ resistance, a 2000-count display, a 1.12-inch jaw and about 15 minutes of auto-shutoff. The CL220 page gives a larger 1.6-inch jaw and a 10-minute timer, and adds the non-contact detector. If you own a CL210, the core measurements are the same. If you are buying new, the CL220 is the meter Klein still sells.

How we chose these sources

We used Klein’s own CL220 and CL210 pages and one retailer listing for the CL210, because those are the pages we could open and read. We did not use forums or unverified marketplace copy.

What we could not verify

We did not test the meter. We could not confirm the clamp’s frequency response, the accuracy figures for each range, or the battery life. We also did not find a second independent source for the jaw size or the auto-shutoff time, so those two figures rest on Klein’s own page. Treat any spec that matters to a safety decision as a question for the manual.

Practical limits

A clamp meter is a current and quick-check tool. It is not a power quality analyzer, and it will not show harmonic detail or inrush behavior the way a dedicated instrument does. Replace the AAA batteries when the low-battery indicator appears, and store the meter in its case so the jaw stays clean. Do not use the meter on systems above its CAT III 600 V rating.

FAQ

Is the Klein CL220 still sold?

Klein’s CL220 page lists it as a current product with buy options and shows no discontinuation notice.

Can the CL220 measure DC current?

The pages we opened list AC current through the clamp and AC and DC voltage through the leads. They do not list a DC clamp function, so do not assume DC current clamping unless the manual confirms it.

Does the CL220 need the probe for temperature?

Yes. The temperature function uses the K-type probe that plugs into the meter.

What is the non-contact detector for?

It helps you spot an energized conductor before you clamp or touch it. It is a screening tool and does not replace a proper voltage test.

Which should I buy, the CL210 or the CL220?

For new purchases, buy the CL220. The CL210 is discontinued, so choose it only if you find a used or leftover unit at a price that makes sense and you accept the older specs.

Sources

Klein Tools, CL220 digital clamp meter product page: https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/clamp-meters/digital-clamp-meter-ac-auto-ranging-400-amp-temp (opened 2026-10-29)
Klein Tools, CL210 digital clamp meter product page (discontinued notice, names CL220): https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/clamp-meters/clamp-meter-digital-ac-auto-ranging-tester-thermocouple-probe (opened 2026-10-29)
Global Test Supply, Klein Tools CL210 listing: https://www.globaltestsupply.com/product/klein-tools-cl210-clamp-meter (opened 2026-10-29)