Voltage testers

[bigdan]

Hi all,

new to the whole "voltage tester" thing im not sure what the good quality yet inexpensive brands are.
Have you had, or known of anyone to have experience with CEM? DI-logic and martindale?

Im looking for a voltage tester that isnt going to draw much more than 5mA and thus not tripping the RCD off..?

many thanks

 

[telectrix]

loads on ebay. best going for a well known make fluke, marty, di-log. as long as they comply and do the job

 

[Amp David]

Does good quality and inexpensive really go together?

 

[Spudnik]

Not really.

I have just renewed my Fluke with a Di-Log.

Near enough identical but a whole load cheaper.

Not sure of its longevity yet though.

 

[bigdan]

lol ok as near to as poss then.
so best not to go with CEM then?

As said, wanted one that only draws like 5mA as some flukes have been known to draw 15mA and set of RCDs...anyone used di logic/martys and found these to be ok (dont set off RCDs)

cheers

 

[pennywise]

Going to be doing the same thing my fluke T140 gave out on me after a year and a half so Di-log replacement is coming shortly and the tripping out of the RCD thing is bloody annoying . I only use it for the continuity buzzer for belling cables out quickly instead of having to unpack the megger. The rest of the time I use the 4 neon marty bullet proof and just keeps going

 

[SirKit Breaker]

The fluke i use does set off RCD's but if you follow the instructions properly it doesn't..........but i keep forgetting

 

[Spudnik]

Chaps, to avoid tripping the RCD its first one on, last one off

 

[Dazzol2009]

Hi Guys could you repeat the instructions to stop rcd tripping using my fluke t140

 

[LeckyBill]

i got a dialog neva had a trip with it

 

[davethsparky]

Dilog ones will take out 10mA RCDs quite happily, and a 30mA if you have a bit much background leakage in the installation.

 

[amlu]

i have a extech, got it around a year now, can recommend it.
does voltage, resistance and continuity with a buzzer.
there also is a non contact voltage detection, coming handy every now and then.
never tripped any rcd.
30 quid you cant go wrong.

Extech 381676 Pen DMM with Non Contact Voltage Detector

 

[Andy78]

Hi Guys could you repeat the instructions to stop rcd tripping using my fluke t140

Hold the probes on L-N for at least 5 seconds, then immediately test L-E. It shouldn't trip.

Here's the manual for future reference as you seem to have lost yours.
http://www.analysersonline.co.uk/images/stories/fluke_t100_t120_t140_instructions.pdf

 

[Jay Sparks]

Combi-volt are a good set. I have the dual ones that show voltage in led and on the LCD display. They never trip the rcd and I've had them fir over 4 years and the only thing that's gine wrong is that I caught the lead in a door and nicked the insulation slightly (dont know how that happened, it was that quick) lol.

Bit of tape and there ok.lol

 

[sparkdog]

Always used a Martindale,no trouble at all.Only indicates voltage though.

 

[Tiny Spark]

I use my trusty multi meter which is a Metrel.
Otherwise I use my Megger MFT for everything.

 

[sledgehammer]

t140

The t140 is total sh*t. Useless to test to earth as you need to test to neutral first otherwise it'll take out a 30mA rcd. Not helpful when you don't have a neutral, ie light switch. It also does lots of odd things like flashing the digital screen or blips and it makes a awful noise when sensing voltage. Just buy a t5-600, now that I like.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Hi all,

new to the whole "voltage tester" thing im not sure what the good quality yet inexpensive brands are.
Have you had, or known of anyone to have experience with CEM? DI-logic and martindale?

Im looking for a voltage tester that isnt going to draw much more than 5mA and thus not tripping the RCD off..?

many thanks

I would also recommend looking at a Martindale. More specifically the VI13700/2. Really simple to use with four test lamps lit up by the voltage measured (50V, 100V, 200V, 500V).
The tester does not require batteries and is also guaranteed to not draw current above 5mA and trip RCD's. The tester is fused with retractable probes and is fully GS38 compliant.
And on another note, they NEVER go faulty.

It does't have features of some other voltage testers like measuring continuty, buzzer, LCD display, phase rotation indicator but for voltage detection and proving dead it is the ideal tool in my opinion.

Lasse
Test-Meter