For a cycling load, I have a couple magnetic heaters inside a 10x10 JB with a heat sink from an old VFD opposite the heaters. They cycle on for about a second and off for about 3 seconds.
It takes about one second for an ammeter to give a good reading. The off time is longer to reduce the heat.
I have an ammeter with forks that slip over the wires so I don't have to clamp on to each wire.
Sometimes the panel feeders have a steady enough load that the phase can be determined, which reduces the number of tests on breakers.
This is a result of an incorrectly labelled breaker that the circuit tracer also incorrectly identified. It's a funny thing. If the power goes out on computers, everyone goes outside for a smoke. If an electrician makes a mistake, they want to see blood on the walls.
