For higher powered DC loads, there are Hall effect sensors. These usually come as plastic-enclosed devices with a hole in them, through which you route one of the high-current wires. They need some DC power, usually 5V or so, and you get a voltage out proportional to the current. They sense the magnetic field from the wire, without requiring a direct connection, which is good when you're measuring high current, high voltage, or both. Some have a split ring so you can install the sensor around an existing wire without cutting it.
For AC, there are current transformers, which install the same way, and put out a small current in a fixed ratio to the current in the wire being sensed.
The hand-held version is a clamp-around AC/DC current meter, a common tool.
These are all standard, modestly priced items.
From AliExpress?
Hall sensors win for very high currents, high bandwidths, and when isolation or noninvasive measurement is required.
This looks great, from their page:
"can measure and optionally supply currents all the way from sub-uA and as high as 1A"
Do you have recommendations, for a similar device, that can supply more than 1A?
https://www.tek.com/en/products/keithley/dc-power-supplies/2... https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E36731A/battery-emula...
https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/Pow...
How hard is it for an electronics layman to use this hardware? I want to buy one in order to help out but when it comes to circuits I'm a pretty much a beginner.
I know above sounds like an advertisement but it isn’t. I’m not affiliated with NS at all. It’s just a great tool and I’m happy to recommend it as there are very few cost effective options in this space.