Inspection & Testing Equipment - Electricians Forum | Electrical Forum | An electrical forum for electricians in the UK

Darius-parky · 27-03-2008

I have a 3 parts question with regards to testing equipment. Would my fellow sparkies who read this, spare me 2 mins of their time please and give me their coments. It would be much appreciated.

1- Do you prefer 3 seperate devices or all in one?
2- Why?
3-Economically and technically what brand is the best?

Thank all very much

EasyFox · 27-03-2008

1- All in one
2- Speeds up testing, just turn a dial push the button & on with the next test.
3- They all do the same personaly I prefer Fluke & use the 1653.

Shakey · 28-03-2008

Grew up with individual meters, pain to carry around three instruments and sets of leads

BUT

if one meter fails, at least you have still got the rest

personally use Meggers, got a batch of them

simple and easy to use, but one failed on PFC measurements, one failed on RCD checks

ok, megger replaced them sharpish, but i still lost all meter functions while they were away!

Fluke are probably a better meter (and you dont have to buy extra leads like with the Megger) but harder to get to grips with - lots of sub-buttons etc

there are cheaper meters out there, but they are cheap for a reason!!!!

you pays your money, you takes your choice

Darius-parky · 30-03-2008

Thanks Foxy.

Thanks Skakey.

spurscarper · 12-06-2008

hi Darius,

I would say the single unit, just from experiance and the one I never need never breaks down

Spudmiester · 13-06-2008

Use separates, got used to it befor all in ones came out. Find it usefull if you need to, say, go and do an insulation test on a motor, while another bloke can use the others for another job.

Basically not taking three testers to a job where one is needed.

Has backfired once or twice though, and may buy an all in one when the three I have got get broken/stolen/lost.

Grae79 · 13-06-2008

same as Easy..

MacSparky · 14-06-2008

I use Fluke 1652, very happy with it and quite straight forward to use and i consider myself a novice.

sparkyork · 14-06-2008

as above

**Cirrus** · 14-06-2008

Fluke 1652 is the one. I had one and boss gave to someone else and gave me a new 3 unit unitest. I hate it, no backlight and loadsa different leads. Utter pain in the arse. Megger I had the leads proved faulty so in my experience, Fluke all the way!!!