Cheap Voltage and continuity tester?

[shocksl]

The new unit that @pc1966 suggested would be fine for Insulation Resistance (IR) tests, which is basically "pressure testing" cables. I'm actually having slight doubts it is also intended to be an accurate continuity tester, i.e. that it can measure resistances to the nearest 0.01 ohms. I looked and couldn't see the range/accuracy information, so I could be wrong.

If on a budget then the most bang for your buck is probably a Megger BM or MIT, which can be calibrated and used professionally. Either would be fine.

Ebay is full of units like this:

Megger Mit230 Insulation and Continuity Tester for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Megger Mit230 Insulation and Continuity Tester at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Megger BM223 Insulation And Continuity Tester | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Megger BM223 Insulation And Continuity Tester at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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You'd need a set of test leads with the 2nd one.

Either of those gives you 50% of what you need for professional testing.
You could later add a loop tester and RCD tester, or a unit that does both. But it is likely you will want the convenience of an all-in-one multifunction tester that does all the tests: insulation resistance, continuity, earth loop impedance tests, and RCD tests. (at a minimum).

(Even if you do plan to get an MFT one day, having a 2nd IR tester is very useful when fault finding, so getting a continuity and IR tester is still a good investment IMHO)

Hi mate

I Managed to buy the 2nd one....where can I buy the leads from ? Or which one should I look for ?

 

[timhoward]

Hi mate

I Managed to buy the 2nd one....where can I buy the leads from ? Or which one should I look for ?

Standard 4mm plug test leads. GS38 tips.

Something like this would be fine. Kewtech Test Leads 1.03m - Screwfix - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-test-leads-1-03m/28760
There will be cheaper on ebay.

 

[shocksl]

Standard 4mm plug test leads. GS38 tips.

Something like this would be fine. Kewtech Test Leads 1.03m - Screwfix - https://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/kewtech-test-leads-1-03m/28760
There will be cheaper on ebay.

UKstock Test leads multimeter 10A 1000V 35” lead 4mm banana plug Fine Tip Probes | eBay

<p>UK post only Test leads multimeter 10Amp 1000volt 35” lead. </p><p>Note pictures taken were by ourselves with SMD needle point probes, an economical quality set of test leads for fine work 👍 </p><br /><p>With 4 mm banana plug fittings, Black and Red needle point probe.. buy from an eBay...

www.ebay.co.uk

Would that be suffice?

As I'm not professional yet got a couple of years left I'm college. Would they do for home use?

 

[timhoward]

UKstock Test leads multimeter 10A 1000V 35” lead 4mm banana plug Fine Tip Probes | eBay

<p>UK post only Test leads multimeter 10Amp 1000volt 35” lead. </p><p>Note pictures taken were by ourselves with SMD needle point probes, an economical quality set of test leads for fine work 👍 </p><br /><p>With 4 mm banana plug fittings, Black and Red needle point probe.. buy from an eBay...

www.ebay.co.uk

Would that be suffice?

As I'm not professional yet got a couple of years left I'm college. Would they do for home use?

The thing about those is that you will want to switch between probes and clips. Clips are more generally useful for the testing we are talking about. I think those leads are permanently probes.

 

[DPG]

Agree with Tim, you need clips as well as probes. Also be careful, some clips are only rated to 50V.

Personally I'd spend the extra and get the decent set. Let's face it, these are going to be inbetween you and mains voltage connections - not worth the risk to save twenty quid.