EARTH LEAKAGE CLAMP METER

[ELECNEWT]

I am looking at buying an earth leakage clamp meter AMECaL ST-9810 (£59) or a Megger DCM305E (on offer at £194).
The only use will be mainly domestic fault finding.
Any opinions will be most welcome.

 

[telectrix]

buy the Megger.

 

[ELECNEWT]

buy the Megger.

That was a quick response. Any experience with the AMEcal?

 

[snowhead]

I've got an alternate version of the AMEcal, think it's the Tek one.
It was only for a backup to the company provided one and mainly because it's very compact.

If I was still working and buying one for myself it would be a Megger, or any other quality brand.

Buy cheap, buy twice (or more.)

I doubt you'll be able to get the AMEcal calibrated by anyone.

 

[ELECNEWT]

I doubt you'll be able to get the AMEcal calibrated by anyone.

If it's only for fault finding is the expense of calibration worth it any way?

 

[123]

If it's only for fault finding is the expense of calibration worth it any way?

Bit pointless having a tester of any sort that's way out of range...could lead you on a bit of a wild goose chase with false readings.

 

[ELECNEWT]

Bit pointless having a tester of any sort that's way out of range...could lead you on a bit of a wild goose chase with false readings.

Thanks.
My thoughts were if buying a new tester it should be accurate.
I won't need traceability to national standards since it won't be used to certify anything. Periodic sanity checks could be done on a known circuit resistor.
Regards,
Mike.

 

[Charlie_]

Neither.
What about DC leakage currents?

 

[Spoon]

Neither.
What about DC leakage currents?

Excuse my ignorance but if the OP want's it mainly for domestic fault finding then is there DC leakage current?

 

[Charlie_]

Excuse my ignorance but if the OP want's it mainly for domestic fault finding then is there DC leakage current?

What are the different types of RCD?

 

[telectrix]

What are the different types of RCD?

them that work and them that don't.

 

[Charlie_]

them that work and them that don't.

Yes that seems to be the trend at the moment.
Good job we are all keeping within the max Zs values for OCPDs.. hmmm

 

[Spoon]

What are the different types of RCD?

I'm industrial mate. Where would DC RCD's be used in a domestic situation?
Just trying to learn stuff?

 

[Charlie_]

I'm industrial mate. Where would DC RCD's be used in a domestic situation?
Just trying to learn stuff?

Type AC - General purpose use, RCD can detect & respond to AC sinusoidal wave only.


Type A - Equipment incorporating electronic components RCD can detect & respond as for type AC, PLUS pulsating DC components.


Type F - Equipment with frequency controlled speed drives RCD can detect & respons as for type A, PLUS high frequency residual current.


Type B - Electric vehicle chargers, PV supplies.

• 
  RCD can detect & respond for type F, PLUS smooth DC residual current.

 

[Charlie_]

Think the AC only type seem to be getting phased out or it would appear to be so

 

[Spoon]

Type AC - General purpose use, RCD can detect & respond to AC sinusoidal wave only.


Type A - Equipment incorporating electronic components RCD can detect & respond as for type AC, PLUS pulsating DC components.


Type F - Equipment with frequency controlled speed drives RCD can detect & respons as for type A, PLUS high frequency residual current.


Type B - Electric vehicle chargers, PV supplies.

• 
  RCD can detect & respond for type F, PLUS smooth DC residual current.

Thanks for that mate. I think my brain has kicked in a bit now.
So besides solar power and electrical vehicle chargers would there be anything else that would produce DC earth leakage in a domestic setting?

 

[telectrix]

the toilet. DC = Diabolical Crap.

 

[Spoon]

the toilet. DC = Diabolical Crap.

That's just what I post mate...

 

[Midwest]

Washing machines apparently.

 

[ELECNEWT]

Type AC - General purpose use, RCD can detect & respond to AC sinusoidal wave only.


Type A - Equipment incorporating electronic components RCD can detect & respond as for type AC, PLUS pulsating DC components.


Thanks for the heads-up. I don't think I shall encounter DC unless you can furthereducate me for domestic situations.
Regards,
Mike.

 

[ELECNEWT]

I am looking at buying an earth leakage clamp meter AMECaL ST-9810 (£59) or a Megger DCM305E (on offer at £194).
The only use will be mainly domestic fault finding.
Any opinions will be most welcome.

So the responses are two for Megger DCM305E none for AMECaL ST-9810 .
Any other opinions?
Regards,
Mike.

 

[Andy78]

I also have the TEK version of the AMEcal one. It's nice and compact but I've only used it a few times. Every time I have, I have been suspect of the supplied readings. I don't really trust it to be honest.

Go for a better one.

 

[Charlie_]

AC only type RCDs are going to be phased out..
Homes are now packed with items that run on DC; all LED lighting, chargers, electronic devices, white goods

 

[Charlie_]

DC clamp meters are also useful for testing on lighting, such as a string of 350mA LED lights.

 

[ELECNEWT]

DC clamp meters are also useful for testing on lighting, such as a string of 350mA LED lights.
OK any suggestions as to make and model?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Just how useful is an Amp Clamp in domestic installations?

 

[telectrix]

Just how useful is an Amp Clamp in domestic installations?

can be used to clamp the customer's goolies till he opens his wallet. wallet opens.... clamp meter opens.... sssimplesss.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - I’ll often take a quick look as it’s non invasive and sometimes revealing. But as others have said it’s not necessity, like tea for example.

 

[static zap]

Think the AC only type seem to be getting phased out or it would appear to be so

Realizing that washing machines have water and DC motors / inverters ,is probably helping !

 

[PEG]

The ability and of course,capability,of taking a DC current reading,is useful.
I have separates,for the DC job,as i do a lot of machine/plant stuff,but the more the merrier,when it comes to testing tools

 

[telectrix]

re: test meters. this is one for any electronic geek-tool tarts.

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[Charlie_]

I have never scrimped on test gear, etc. Many thousands of pounds worth of kit but they have all come in useful and I have had my money’s worth..
The same cannot be said for a grands worth of smart phone that many sparks really really need but can’t justify spending £300 to £1000 on top notch test equipment...

 

[telectrix]

my galaxy s6 was due for upgrade december 2017. existing contract was £35/month. went onto sim only for £16/month, all you mathemetical genii out there tell me how many pints of ale that equates to @£1.49/bottle. as the yanks would say "do the math".

just done it mesell, and staggered by the answer.

 

[telectrix]

the answer is 230 50mL bottles, which equates to 202 pints. a whole month's supply.