Research Snapshot: Current Clamp Meter Displays

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In addition to our analytical marketing skills, clients also value the ability to see and interpret for themselves the unfiltered comments discovered during research efforts with both existing and potential customers. Product developers and engineering managers often find new insights – little nuggets of qualitative gold – in our reports.

​Here's one example from the more than 250 projects we’ve done in technical B2B markets:
Commercial & industrial electricians discuss importance of display readings for current clampmeters.
(Context: traditional focus group discussion)
Martin Technical Research: “And I also wanted to ask you: any suggestions you had as far as improvements, new features, capabilities you’d like to see made to current clampmeters?”

Electrician #11: “If they all came out with what (Brand X) has with the light and the end reading.”

Electrician #2: “I like the fact that on this one (Brand X) you have the dual viewing so you can see it from the ... while it’s clamped on, it also has a light on.”

MTR: “So when would that come in handy?”

Electrician #2: “Very often if you have it on a wire, you want to see if the current’s changing as the motor’s coming under load or whatever. It’s somewhat difficult to try and turn it so you can see it because of the number of wires in the panel. And if you have it clamped on, you can look right at the end.”

MTR: “I wanted to go around the table real quick and get those of you that don’t have this dual display clampmeter with the display on the bottom, I just wanted to get your opinion of what you thought about that.”

Electrician #5: “I would love it. I think it’s an excellent idea.”

Electrician #3: “That was the one reason I bought it, was because of that.”

Electrician #7: “That’s a good idea.”

Electrician #6: “Excellent idea.”

Electrician #3: “And you use it (bottom display) all the time. Once you’ve got it, you use it all the time.”

Electrician #4: “I don’t use the top one (display) that much anymore.”

Electrician #3: “Yeah, you really don’t. If you’re clamping on a panel, you’re always trying to get up here (craning his head) and look over the top. You can just flip her down and see it….now that I know that it was supposed to have a light that worked on it.” (Laughter.)

MTR: “That was my next question: when you’re using it, what percentage of the time are you looking at that bottom display?”

Electrician #3: “I betcha it’s 75% of the time now.”

Electrician #5: “Well, I wouldn’t buy another one without that bottom feature.”

MTR: “Really?!?”

Electrician #5: “Nope. Wouldn’t do it. I’m always having to climb up on a ladder, or whatever, to read these. Reading it upside down or whatever. I hate it. I’d never buy another one unless it had the light-up, because a lot of times you can’t see it.”

Electrician #6: “Basically right now the main thing that would drive me would be that bottom display screen. The clearer that is, the brighter it is, to show. If that was displayed clearly compared to any of your competition’s brands -- having one or not having one -- I think that’s gonna be the deciding factor.”