Socket & See tester

[Dannydandan]

Evening,

I use a Socket & See tester instrument to provide a means of confirming safe isolation before working on boilers.

Can anyone explain why I am required to press the touch pad at the bottom of the test instrument in order for it to perform a polarity test?

I understand what polarity is and why I'm testing it, but I don't understand what the significance of this pad is i.e., what does me pressing the pad actually do to the test instrument?

I've asked colleagues and trainers but no one can answer this question!

Many thanks,

Dan

 

[Darkwood]

Hi Dan, Welcome to the forum.

Edited - removed comment as I pre-empted the wrong kind of tester in my response.

 

[Adam W]

What kind of tester is it? Socket & See is a brand name; they make several different kinds of tester.

 

[richy3333]

What Socket and See device is it? Doesn't sound like a suitable instrument for safe isolation? Does it comply to GS38?

 

[Dannydandan]

Thanks,

The socket & see tester is a 2 pole test instrument. It tests for correct voltage, earth loop impedance and polarity.

Secondly, most boiler electrical connections are made via a spur switched socket so there is no means of safely proving electrical isolation unless using proper test equipment. Even if there was a plug this doesn't account for possible 240v on switch live connections.

Anyway, this is to digress, my point is why I have to press the pad. Thanks anyway though...

 

[7029 dave]

As DW use an voltage tester, for example Megger dcm 340. Socket an see have there place don't get me wrong, I swear by martindale check plug had them for many decades.

 

[Dannydandan]

Adam W - it is a 230bg multifunctional no-trip tester

 

[Andy78]

What kind of tester is it? Socket & See is a brand name; they make several different kinds of tester.

Yep, it could well be one of these the OP is using
Product Details

 

[Darkwood]

My bad I didn't realise they had expanded their range of the basic plug unit and volt stick, I assume you have a one of these as you question is about the polarity button.

 

[Dannydandan]

What kind of tester is it? Socket & See is a brand name; they make several different kinds of tester.

It's a PDL 230BG multifunctional no-trip loop tester,

Thanks

 

[Dannydandan]

My bad I didn't realise they had expanded their range of the basic plug unit and volt stick, I assume you have a one of these as you question is about the polarity button.
View attachment 32242

Darkwood, That's the baby! The pad I'm on about is the one at the bottom

 

[Dannydandan]

Test, replies aren't showing

 

[Darkwood]

Test, replies aren't showing

Your posts are moderated and need approval as you are a new member, we are a little thin on staff at the moment so there is a little delay in approval, if you can bear with us we will approve your post as soon as we see them.

 

[HandySparks]

Evening,

I use a Socket & See tester instrument to provide a means of confirming safe isolation before working on boilers.

Can anyone explain why I am required to press the touch pad at the bottom of the test instrument in order for it to perform a polarity test?

I understand what polarity is and why I'm testing it, but I don't understand what the significance of this pad is i.e., what does me pressing the pad actually do to the test instrument?

I've asked colleagues and trainers but no one can answer this question!

Many thanks,

Dan

It appears that the 'Touch Pad' is exactly that. It's not a switch, it's using your body as a (high impedance) ground reference. It can therefore determine whether the incoming supply has been connected correctly. In the case of a TN-C-S supply, where the 'earth' terminal is provided by a connection to the neutral, other methods of determining correct supply polarity wouldn't work as there's no independent ground reference.

Socket and See Documents

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Sounds like it works in a similar manner to a neon screwdriver.

 

[HandySparks]

Sounds like it works in a similar manner to a neon screwdriver.

Yes. Without driving an independent earth rod into the ground, I don't see that there's any other way to prove the incoming supply polarity on a TN-C-S system.

 

[PEG]

Sounds like it works in a similar manner to a neon screwdriver.

Yep,you can get them brighter,at the end of a hard,sweaty day...

The previous Megger TP voltage tester,had a touch pad,at the rear of the handle,which is omitted on the new model.

The voltage <than,>than,seems superfluous,as <203 or >253 could be a problem,or installations where no problem has been noticed.