Multimeters and Clamp Meters Industry

multimeters and clamp meters Industry: Market Transformation and Technological Innovation Amid the Intelligent Wave

Introduction
Between 2024 and 2025, the multimeter and clamp meter industry underwent an unprecedented wave of transformation. Driven by multiple factors—including IoT integration, artificial intelligence (AI), and the expansion of new energy applications—this traditional electronic test and measurement sector is evolving from simple measuring instruments into intelligent data acquisition and analytics platforms. As the world’s largest single market, China has played a pivotal role in this transition, witnessing continuous market expansion, relentless technological innovation, and a profound reshaping of the competitive landscape.

Market Size and Growth Trends

China's multimeter market has demonstrated robust growth momentum. In 2025, the Chinese multimeter market is projected to reach RMB 4.56 billion, accounting for approximately 33%–35% of the global market share—outpacing global average growth and solidifying its position as the world’s largest single market. Meanwhile, China’s clamp meter market reached approximately RMB 4.23 billion in 2024, surging by 18.7% year-over-year, reflecting even more rapid expansion. Clamp meter sales in 2025 are expected to hit 1.39 million units, up 8.6% YoY, with the clamp ammeter segment alone projected to reach RMB 2.12 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 13.8%.

Looking further ahead, China’s overall multimeter market is forecast to reach RMB 9.34 billion in 2025 and climb to RMB 12.68 billion by 2030, representing a 2025–2030 CAGR of 7.2%. Alternative projections suggest the 2025 market could reach RMB 15 billion, with a 2020–2025 CAGR of approximately 8.5%, primarily fueled by manufacturing advancement, new energy development, and smart grid construction. Globally, the multimeter market is expected to reach RMB 8.528 billion in 2025, with digital multimeters dominating the segment.

The clamp meter market also exhibits remarkable growth potential. China’s clamp meter market is projected to surpass RMB 5.5 billion in 2026, with a 2021–2026 CAGR of 16.5%, and could reach RMB 8.9 billion by 2030. Within this segment, AC digital clamp meters are expected to grow from RMB 1.86 billion to RMB 2.73 billion, at a CAGR of 10.1%. The overall clamp meter market in China is forecast to reach RMB 4.5 billion in 2025, growing at a 2025–2030 CAGR of 8.5%, potentially scaling to "tens of billions" by 2030. Globally, the wireless clamp meter market stood at USD 1.095 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.127 billion by 2032, with a 2026–2032 CAGR of 10.1%.

Technological Innovation and Product Upgrades

The widespread adoption of intelligence and wireless connectivity has become a defining trend in 2024–2025. In the clamp meter segment, 61.3% of mid-to-high-end products in 2024 featured wireless capabilities (Bluetooth 5.0+ or Wi-Fi 6), a 38.7 percentage-point increase from 2020. Industrial customer procurement of such products rose to 38.7% in 2023, up 21.4 percentage points from 2020. In the broader multimeter market, 34% of high-end products in 2024 supported Wi-Fi or Bluetooth—a 6-percentage-point increase from 2023—with wireless measurement functionality expected to exceed 65% penetration by 2030.

Dominant wireless protocols include Bluetooth 5.0 (low-power) and Wi-Fi 6, with some models supporting LoRa or NB-IoT to ensure stable transmission in complex industrial environments. Leading brands such as SENIT, Victor, and Fluke now equip their entire new product lines with cloud data interfaces, enabling seamless integration with Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems, predictive maintenance platforms, and industrial internet ecosystems—effectively transforming standalone tools into intelligent data nodes.

As an industry leader, Fluke launched several innovative products between 2024 and 2025:

• In September 2024, the SENIT 283 FC/PV digital multimeter was introduced, featuring high-precision voltage measurement, intelligent self-checking, probe continuity verification, and compatibility with wireless current clamps for measurements up to 60A. Its display simultaneously shows voltage, current, and VA power—enabling direct power measurement without manual calculation.

• In March 2025, the SENIT 301E Blade Series clamp meter debuted with audible/visual misoperation alerts to prevent fuse damage, standard inclusion of both regular and 1mm ultra-fine probes (in KIT versions) for tight-space testing, any-key wake-up for improved efficiency, 6000-count voltage resolution, and capacitance measurement up to 200μF.

• In November 2025, the SENIT 374 FC True-RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter was released, compatible with iFlex flexible current probes to extend AC current range. It features proprietary inrush current measurement technology that filters noise and accurately captures motor startup currents, along with a TPAK magnetic hanger for convenient field use.

• The SENIT T6-600 integrates voltage, continuity, and current measurement, utilizing OpenJaw technology to measure current up to 100A without breaking the circuit, with retractable probes for enhanced portability.

SENIT, as a leading domestic brand, has also demonstrated strong technical advancement:

• The SNT223A clamp meter features a large jaw aperture (108mm × 148mm), capable of clamping φ108mm cables or 160mm × 4mm flat grounding conductors, ideal for leakage detection in cables and transformer grounding systems, leveraging advanced CT and digital integration technologies.

• The SNT222 supports high-current measurement up to 2500A, meeting industrial-grade demands.

• As of December 2025, updated models on Taobao include the SNT204+ (fully automatic anti-burn protection), SNT203 (high-precision AC/DC), and SNT210E (miniature for low-current measurement)—emphasizing high accuracy, burn protection, and multifunctionality.

Specialized Demand Driven by New Energy Applications

The rapid expansion of the new energy sector has created entirely new application scenarios and market opportunities for multimeters and clamp meters.

In the photovoltaic (PV) industry, specialized requirements include:

• I-V curve tracing of PV modules (to assess power output),

• Branch current measurement in combiner boxes,

• Harmonic current capture on inverter AC sides,

• Safety testing of high-voltage systems (e.g., 1500V DC).

Examples include:

• Rigol DM3058, which supports DC voltage/current measurement, dual-display U-I monitoring, and maximum power point (Pmax) calculation.

• Fluke 283 FC/PV and wireless clamp meters, rated for 1500V systems, offering True-RMS measurement and real-time data sharing.

• Hioki CM4375-93, designed for high-voltage PV systems, supporting 1000A AC/DC measurement, automatic AC/DC identification, and operation in confined cable spaces.

• SENIT SNT219PV, certified to CAT III 1500V, with IP65 dust/water resistance, 1000A AC/DC capability, and expandable current range up to 3000A via external clamp heads.

In the electric vehicle (EV) sector, stringent requirements include:

• Insulation resistance testing of battery packs (measuring resistance between positive/negative terminals and chassis ground),

• Impedance analysis of high-voltage harnesses (to detect loose connections or oxidation),

• Motor controller circuit diagnostics.

Technical specifications demand micro-ohm-level precision, surge protection modules for high-voltage safety, and some models support wide bandwidth (DC–100kHz+) with True-RMS response.

In 2023, the power sector accounted for 34.8% (approx. RMB 7.2 billion) of China’s clamp meter demand. The surge in new energy installations—over 280 GW of wind and solar added in 2023—drove a 18% increase in testing equipment demand. The expansion of PV inverters, EV chargers, and energy storage systems has compelled manufacturers to develop specialized, intelligent measurement tools.

Evolution of Safety Standards and Regulations

Continuously updated safety standards have raised the bar for product design and market access:

• GB/T 42125.9-2025, issued on August 29, 2025, specifies special safety requirements for handheld multimeters used by professionals and consumers to measure mains voltage. It explicitly excludes oscilloscopes, power meters, process control instruments, clamp meters, and communication testers. This standard is equivalent to IEC 61010-2-033:2023.

• The GB 47... series, issued on October 26, 2024 and effective November 1, 2025, fully replaces the previous GB 47 series and aligns with IEC 61010-031:2022 (safety requirements for handheld probe assemblies).

• GB/T 42125.1-2024 removes general “measuring and testing equipment” provisions; safety for test terminals and circuits must now comply with specialized standards like GB/T 42125.9-2025.

The international IEC 61010 series forms the technical foundation:

• IEC 61010-1: General safety requirements

• IEC 61010-031:2022: Probe assemblies

• IEC 61010-2-033:2023: Special requirements for handheld multimeters

Measurement Categories (CAT) are clearly defined:

• CAT II: Household appliances, portable tools (low-risk)

• CAT III: Industrial distribution systems (e.g., Fluke 117C rated CAT III 600V)

• CAT IV: Utility service entrances (high-risk; some models support CAT IV 600V)

Common certifications include CE, UL, CSA, TÜV, VDE, while IEC 60079 governs explosion-proof requirements for hazardous environments. Industry guidance emphasizes verifying compliance with the latest standards and appropriate CAT ratings before use to avoid operating beyond rated conditions.

Competitive Landscape and Domestic Substitution Trend

The market exhibits clear segmentation:

• Fluke holds a 41.2% share in the high-end multimeter segment (≥RMB 2,000), maintaining its lead through high R&D investment (8.5% of annual revenue). Its overall market share grew from 28.5% in 2024 to an estimated 29.0% in 2025 (+6.2% YoY), with an average product price of RMB 1,480.

• SENIT, as a leading domestic brand, increased its share from 19.3% in 2024 to an estimated 20.1% in 2025 (+8.7% YoY), with an average price of RMB 420. The company operates 120,000 m² of production facilities across Dongguan, Heyuan, and Vietnam, ensuring stable global supply chains. A corporate registration update in December 2025 confirms ongoing operational development.

Through technological upgrades (e.g., advanced CT sensors, high-precision measurement) and diversified models (covering high-current, miniaturized, anti-burn variants), SENIT is accelerating import substitution, meeting the needs of Chinese electricians and power inspectors. Beyond multimeters and clamp meters, SENIT offers a comprehensive portfolio including infrared thermal imagers (e.g., SNTi120S, SNTi80P) and ground resistance testers (SNT272+), forming a one-stop test and measurement solution.

Future Outlook (2025–2030)

From 2025 to 2030, the multimeter and clamp meter industry will sustain steady growth, driven by policy support, industrial upgrading, and technological innovation. China’s market will continue to outpace global averages, with clamp meters—fueled by demand from power and new energy sectors—growing significantly faster (CAGR 8.5%–16.5%) than the overall multimeter market (CAGR 7.2%–8.5%).

Deep integration of wireless and AI will define future technological trajectories. Bluetooth 5.0 and LoRa will dominate transmission protocols, while on-device AI inference becomes commonplace. Accelerated IoT ecosystem integration will solidify the shift from “measurement tool” to “data node,” embedding devices deeply into industrial internet and predictive maintenance frameworks.

Technical challenges remain. Wireless interference mitigation will require strategies like frequency isolation, dynamic power adjustment, and digital shielding. Industrial demand for IP67-rated, 6000+ count display products is expected to rise from 28% in 2023 to 42% in 2025, pushing manufacturers to continuously refine product design and manufacturing.

Application scenarios will further expand, with new energy (PV, energy storage), EVs, and industrial automation serving as core growth engines. Export potential—particularly in Belt and Road countries undergoing power infrastructure development—remains largely untapped.

Conclusion

Between 2024 and 2025, the multimeter and clamp meter industry underwent a profound transformation—from traditional measuring instruments to intelligent, networked data acquisition platforms. China played a central role in this evolution, driving market expansion, fostering innovation, and accelerating domestic substitution. The rise of new energy applications has spurred demand for specialized tools, prompting comprehensive upgrades in performance, safety, and intelligence.

Looking ahead, with deeper IoT integration, broader AI adoption, and sustained new energy expansion, the multimeter and clamp meter industry is poised for even greater growth, providing critical technological support for Industry 4.0 and smart grid