Which Test Kit is Best and Why

[acat]

Again Folks

Please post your comments here for other members who may be considering a purchase


Thanks


Chris

 

[pennywise]

Megger MFT range are brilliant as starter kits, they are a bit more expensive than other manufacturers such as Kewtech and metrel but they are very clearly labeled and are pretty user friendly, In my personal opinion, Thanks for the thread.

 

[Sintra]

Yes megger mft 1553 is my personal preference.

 

[bugsy]

Fluke 1652B

 

[UNG]

Metrel Eurotest 61557 for me does all the usual tests with a few other tests and functions on board that I do use

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Fluke 1652B

Me as well My first one was a Robin 1620, cracking bit of kit whether your are an old hand or a new starter.
The Robin is probably the easiest MFT to use on the market.

 

[Benny_Boy]

I've got a Megger MFT1553 'n all which is simple to use and robust. Worth bearing in mind though that there's no phase rotation function.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Fluke 1652B

For me too. Dead easy to use, large display. Easy change tips from crocs to GS38 to larger probes. The one crit I do have is continuity tests can be a little hit or miss at times, and this has also been mentioned before.

 

[volt-dropping]

For the less carefull electrician speaking from experience i would recommend the metrel easytest .

I have had the all in one for about 5 years and its a clunky robust chunk of post communist no frills design .

I find the more expensive brands Robin,megger and co can be a bit vulnerable when removed from the comfort of the carrying case but most folks dont kick there testkit about the site when things dont go there way .

The easytest comes in a nice padded carrier case and is fully operational without removal , i can hand it to most workmates and they operate without questioning which is testimony to its simplistic design.

Testlead is a 3 lead plug socket and is exceptionaly robust but a replacement set is around £60 but you will never need them .

 

[Spudnik]

Robin separates FTW

 

[Phil]

i have the metrel mi3101
Metrel MI3101 EuroTest AT Pro Kit Installation Tester Kit

easy to use and the software is straight forward to download straight to the pc. i like the pro kit for the ring main testing 6 croc clips and press the button does all the cross tests for you without having to connect in going outgoing etc

 

[Des 56]

Seperate instruments every time

Robin insulation/continuity
Robin Pfc/loop tester
Robin Rcd tester

No comment to make on all in one testers
At the least none that could be made without the word s--t in the comment

 

[J Sabo]

Any links to a site where most of the testers can be compared?

 

[pennywise]

Any links to a site where most of the testers can be compared?

Pat Testers & Electrical Test Equipment - Instrument Sales & Services

No Charts I'm afraid but they sell most of the test kits mentioned.

 

[garyinderby]

mines a metrel mi3002, love it

 

[IshTing]

Only ever used Fluke to be honest

 

[darking]

Hey Des you still using robin lego blocks? c'mon get with the program brother! you also use an AVO 8 multimeter? and a slide rule? Logarithm Tables maybe?

 

[UNG]

Seperate instruments every time

Robin insulation/continuity
Robin Pfc/loop tester
Robin Rcd tester

No comment to make on all in one testers
At the least none that could be made without the word s--t in the comment

Have you had a bad experience of all in one testers? as you make a very sweeping statement that they are all s--t



I still use some separate instruments for specific fault finding but use an all in one for testing installations as the tests results can be saved and downloaded to provide a full audit trail of the tests carried out this also avoids results being made up on certs. In this litigation era I like to ensure that nothing comes back on me that I cannot defend

 

[Des 56]

UNG
I do honestly prefer single instruments
I was not alltogether serious,just stirring the pot a little

Hey Des you still using robin lego blocks? c'mon get with the program brother! you also use an AVO 8 multimeter? and a slide rule? Logarithm Tables maybe?

The lego blocks were too difficult for me and logs yes,slide rules," no way" too dumb for those


I do own an all in one tester,the last time I used it ,I threw it to one side whilst I did the test properly with the singles

 

[UNG]

UNG
I do honestly prefer single instruments
I was not alltogether serious,just stirring the pot a little

I suppose it is all down to personal preference in the end what you choose use

I do own some separate instruments but tend to use a multi function unit for day to day testing and dare I say I have an AVO 8 although it only sees the light of day occasionally as it is still a useful instrument for some types of fault finding

 

[Spudnik]

WooHoo!!!!!

Im not the only one that uses the bricks!!!!!!

 

[darking]

I think, jokes aside, that as long as any tester you choose to use complies with BS61010 and meets the standard of BS 61557 and meets current calibration requirements, then it really is a matter of personal choice. Although I took the P out of the 3 Robin blocks they have been widely used in industry.

The real issue should be how thouroughly we perform the testing and how accurately we interpret and record the results. Having read a lot of the posts we can see that this is something we all either struggle with or need to improve our practice of.

 

[kevzlpool108]

i prefer meggar,but no matter what you use you,ve got to get familiar with your own kit,the most expensive are fluke ,but they are top quality ! ive got a fluke 1563 multitester £400. metrohm 3 seperate testers in yellow box £300. kewtech kt35,kt42,kt56 all seperates £420. robin loop tester kmp4120 dl £150 . all in excellent condition .kevin 07789311953 , im in Liverpool cash on delivery ,

 

[pevvers]

Megger MFT 15 series.

I've used them since they first came out in this country around 6 years ago, and they've never let me down.

I do a lot of cross checking of calibrated instruments now for my company, and I have noticed wild fluctuations with Flukes, Metrels, Kewtechs and all the the others. Some are just ridiculously complicated to use, and I find that the Megger has a decent high loop test, is fool proof - switch the knob to what test you want, and has none of these extra gimmicks like being able to put what MCB you are testing. Confuses the hell out of some of our engineers because they test a circuit and then get a big cross next to it, even though there's nothing wrong.

Megger, every day... Fool proof and smashproof in normal day to day life.

 

[Phil]

maybe a good idea for anyone thinking of spending a lot of cash on a meter to hire one first have a go and either like or dislike it
16th edition testers and test kits for hire

Electrical test equipment hire (thanks go to pennywise for this link)

 

[ezzzekiel]

i think mine is the best

 

[jamie-spark]

We have both the The Metrel MI3101 EuroTest AT Pro and the MFT1552 and the metrel is far superior. We got 2 metrels last december then the megger in january, boss said he would take the megger wasnt long before he demanded a metrel back

 

[ezzzekiel]

i have the metrel mi3101
Metrel MI3101 EuroTest AT Pro Kit Installation Tester Kit

easy to use and the software is straight forward to download straight to the pc. i like the pro kit for the ring main testing 6 croc clips and press the button does all the cross tests for you without having to connect in going outgoing etc

Can you expand on this meter?

had a fluke which i didnt like and used mft1552 ever since but about to purchase a new mft and was planning on 1553 but like sound of the ring test on the metrel.

ps will be selling mft1552 shortly in forsale/wanted if any1 intersested.

 

[pevvers]

We have both the The Metrel MI3101 EuroTest AT Pro and the MFT1552 and the metrel is far superior. We got 2 metrels last december then the megger in january, boss said he would take the megger wasnt long before he demanded a metrel back

You're having a laugh ain't you?

Way oo overcomplicated for a test meter in my opinion, and insulation resistances are dodgy if they've been sat in the cold overnight (I tested 3 on the same day, and for a 200Mohm load they were showing anything from 60-180Mohm)... Megger every time!

But different strokes for different folks I suppose...

 

[SELspark]

You're having a laugh ain't you?

Way oo overcomplicated for a test meter in my opinion, and insulation resistances are dodgy if they've been sat in the cold overnight (I tested 3 on the same day, and for a 200Mohm load they were showing anything from 60-180Mohm)... Megger every time!

But different strokes for different folks I suppose...

Got to agree with you there, have had Metrel and found it inconsistant. Got the Megger 1553 now and wouldn't exchange it for anything else.

 

[topquark]

Megger 1553 for me, pretty much indistructible and very reliable!

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I've had the robin Lego bricks, a fluke all in one, the megger 1553, some kewtech separates and am now currently using either the kewtech kt64 or megger.

The best tester will be the one which has test leads that don't knot up in-between tests. The amount of times I've run my fingers down to separate the bloody things...


Design a solution, and I will switch.

 

[cagedanimal2010]

anybody use the computer software for the fluke 1563?? whats it like??

 

[thepickles]

Can kewtech 64 carry out Ze tests, have been informed that fluke 1652 is unable to do so? would be grateful for advice....Ian

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Fluke 1652B which I have will do voltage/frequency, continuity, IR, Loop, RCD trip and RCD ramp. Only thigs it cant do is method 1 earth spike and phase rotation, both of which I have little call for.....

I do have a Kewtech voltage tester that also works out phase rotation if I need to confirm, place the probes on the phase conductors and you act as a reference point..............

 

[johnstantine]

I use a Megger 1553 and have found it fantastic.

 

[trick60]

I've found metrel to be too inconsistent (witness testing can be very embarassing), and replacement leads and probes are pricey, I'm thinking of taking the plunge with a megger 1553 and the powersuite software but I don't know if it runs on windows 7, anyone know?

 

[timothytaylor]

I bought my sanwa multi-tester when I visited Japan last year. I could say, the Japanese provides really good professional tools. Got it for a cheaper price too.

 

[Burnt Fingers]

I have paws rather than hands so Megger - nice rubbery grippy cases, and quite robust when the inevitable impact strikes.

 

[vambo]

i have the mft1553 no trip loop takes so long, arms aching while holding the probes up to a light fitting, my old robin dlok was much much faster.

 

[simopesh]

i have the metrel mi3101
Metrel MI3101 EuroTest AT Pro Kit Installation Tester Kit

easy to use and the software is straight forward to download straight to the pc. i like the pro kit for the ring main testing 6 croc clips and press the button does all the cross tests for you without having to connect in going outgoing etc

Totally agree! I was one of the first to spend £847 back in 2008. I am 100% happy with it although I haven’t had a chance to fully use the software perks.

 

[vambo]

Totally agree! I was one of the first to spend £847 back in 2008. I am 100% happy with it although I haven’t had a chance to fully use the software perks.

i've never seen these sort of testers, looking at the features... i want one! why oh why did i not join the forum earlier!!!

 

[jamie-spark]

.Aye but the megger 1553 has been sent back twice now. piece of kack

 

[Octopus]

I've got a Metrel Eurotest AT plus the Easi-Switch which makes testing ring circuits much easier and quicker!

The only negative comment is that the User Guides are poor, but this is compensated by excellent technical support guys when you ring them up

The Metrel UK MD did a presentation when I was on my course and he offered pricing direct for new trainees plus they do have ex demo stock to offer too!

 

[sweeneyuk]

I'm starting my 2391 insp testing course in jan 2011 & i am too in need of advice as to which mft to purchase.

Was originally looking at megger 1553 as thats only one i have some use of, all be it limited use.

Heard the fluke 1653b has more features & regarded by some as a better brand

BUT i have been looking at the features of the metrel at 3101 pro kit with the easy switch & it seems impressive.
I like he idea that you can complete the entire report on the machine, store it then print off directly to niceic certs.

Dont have an aversion to writing but having a totally complete record stored on my laptop seems like a good idea.
Also like the look of the easy switch.

Only cons i can see are 1. dont know much about the brand 2. price is quite high although it includes software. 3. may be complicated for a novice esp if instruction are not up to much as reported on here elsewhere.

Can anyone shed more light on this issue as i really want to have my own mft to practice with before starting the course?

also, is there a thread for best prices for these units?

 

[Amp David]

Megger 1552 IMO. Had it now for 3 years, bought it second hand. Sent it for repair under warranty just after buying it as the previous numpty (owner) had obviously trashed it somehow.

Been spot on ever since the repair and can't fault it.

Meggers must be like new cars in that some are solid units and others a little tempremental.

 

[Ponty Massive]

I've always been interested in why people choose different products etc. My testing is very basic hence I use a Robin KTS 1620. Bought it about 2 months ago second hand, recently calibrated. It does the 4 tests I need it for anyway! The megger 1552, don't know much about them really, I understand they store all the test and can print out direct with them but is there anything else they do?

Is personal choice down to ease of use / familiarity / cost? I'll keep plodding along with my yellow brick for the time being!

 

[Amp David]

The Megger 1552 won't do any of the storing of data or form filling for you.

Its just a standard multi function, with what I think are basic, simple easy to understand dials for operation.

 

[R&M]

I have Megger 1553, bought it about one year ago, never had a problem, very easy to use. I made my cross check device with six different type of resistors (from 0.05 ohm to 1 Mohm) and check it each month and keep the results in logbook (no need calibration any more). Always accurate till now.

 

[mesaboogieman]

I have Megger 1553, bought it about one year ago, never had a problem, very easy to use. I made my cross check device with six different type of resistors (from 0.05 ohm to 1 Mohm) and check it each month and keep the results in logbook (no need calibration any more). Always accurate till now.

Surely you still need a calibration certificate, or is that a way round it?