CIE's two True-RMS clamp multimeters, the DCM 2250 TR and the DCM 5410 TR, look almost identical: same 40 mm jaw, same 6000-count display, same CAT III 600 V rating, same 2 × AAA power. The difference that matters is one line in the specification: whether the clamp can read DC current. This guide helps you decide which one your work actually needs.
Side-by-Side Specification
| Feature | DCM 2250 TR | DCM 5410 TR |
|---|---|---|
| AC current (True-RMS) | ✓6 A / 60 A / 600 A / 1000 A | 60 A / 600 A / 1000 A |
| DC current | Not available | ✓60 A / 600 A / 1000 A |
| DC voltage | Up to 1000 V | Up to 1000 V |
| AC voltage (True-RMS) | Up to 750 V | Up to 750 V |
| Low-Z ACV | 6 / 60 / 300 V | 6 / 60 / 300 V |
| NCV / live-wire test | Yes | Yes |
| Capacitance | Not listed | ✓1 nF to 10 mF |
| Frequency | Not listed | ✓10 Hz to 10 MHz |
| Temperature | Not listed | ✓-20 °C to 1000 °C |
| Jaw opening | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Safety rating | CAT III 600 V | CAT III 600 V |
Choose the DCM 2250 TR If
- Your work is on AC systems: panels, motors, feeders, lighting and distribution boards.
- You want the extra 6 A range for small AC loads, with finer resolution than a 60 A range gives.
- You want True-RMS accuracy on non-sinusoidal loads, plus NCV and Low-Z ACV for ghost-voltage checks, in a straightforward AC instrument.
Choose the DCM 5410 TR If
- You work with DC current: solar strings, battery banks, UPS and charger circuits, DC control panels.
- You want capacitance, frequency and temperature in the same instrument, for example checking a motor-run capacitor or a hot connection.
- You want one clamp that covers both AC and DC so a team does not carry two.
The simple rule
What They Share
Both measure True-RMS AC current, which matters on loads fed by drives and switching supplies where an average-responding meter would read wrong (see True-RMS vs average-responding). Both include Low-Z ACV for separating ghost voltage from real supply (see ghost voltage explained), both have data hold, MIN/MAX, a backlight and a torch, and both come with test leads, a carrying pouch and a manual.
For a deeper look at DC clamp measurement, read measuring DC current with a clamp meter, and for the wider choice see how to choose a clamp meter. Contact us and we will recommend the right model for your application.