Which proving unit to buy and why

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Sean McD

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #1

All,

Good morning to you. Just looking to see what proving unit to buy; do I go for big bulky Kewtech or pocket sized fluke PRV240.

Any suggestions etc, greatly received.

 

Joshua

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #2

Cheapest one you can get, as long as it tells you that your testers are working then what does it matter? They're all over priced anyway.

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #3

never had one on my life. always aknown live source, e.g. the main switch incoming terminals.

 

andyb

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #4

Must admit I've never had one either. Never been asked for one on any assement.

 

SparkyChick

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #5

I have one of these and am very pleased with it. It gets chucked around in my tool bag and seems very sturdy and well made.

Socket & See SP200 Professional Proving Unit - http://www.socketandsee.co.uk/socket-amp-see-sp200-professional-proving-unit.html

When you're proving dead at a board, as has been pointed out you can use a known live supply, but if you're elsewhere and you just want to be doubly sure everything is at it should be, they are quite handy.

 

Dannyg8810

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #6

Just buy a self proving voltage tester Less to lug about

 

SparkyChick

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #7

If by 'self proving' you mean say the Fluke T-150 which has a built in test function, all that does is prove the indicators work. It will not tell you the unit will successfully read say 240v on a cable and should not be used as a replacement for a standalone proving unit.

 

sparkdog

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #8

Martindale, had it for years.

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #9

Dannyg8810 said:

Just buy a self proving voltage tester Less to lug about

Click to expand...

Point me to some proof of your statement, and I might change my mind, I still agree with SCs #7

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #10

sparkdog said:

Martindale, had it for years.

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A quote from Martindale:

It is important to note that the voltage indicator MUST be able to work without the need for a battery, if you are using a device that needs a battery in order to work and the battery is flat, then you will not be able to prove if the circuit is dead or not.

The procedure for proving dead is to take the voltage indicator and check it against a known source, such as a proving unit, then test the circuit, then test the voltage indicator against the known source again to prove the tester has not failed during testing.

Whilst you can a known live source to test your voltage indicator, we recommend using a dedicated proving unit.

The reason is that the known live source will only light some of the LEDs on the tester, whereas a proving unit will ensure that ALL LEDs on all ranges are working, again safeguarding against incorrect readings due to a blown LED.

I addition there is not always a live source nearby.

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #11

so a wet finger does not comply????

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #12

telectrix said:

so a wet finger does not comply????

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No not really Tel, come on get a grip Mate will you?

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #13

bad idea. if you grip it, you can't let go. best just to brush across it with said wet finger.
DIYers. DON'T DO THIS AT HOME.

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #14

telectrix said:

bad idea. if you grip it, you can't let go. best just to brush across it with said wet finger.
DIYers. DON'T DO THIS AT HOME.

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If you had a proving unit you could use it before actually touching the live part, and then do it again just to prove it's live. A JOKE DIYers TAKE NOTE

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #15

I like it ! prove finger with a proving unit. even better than a Megger ( oops Insulation Resistance Finger Tester ).

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #16

telectrix said:

I like it ! prove finger with a proving unit. even better than a Megger ( oops Insulation Resistance Finger Tester ).

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Yeah cool aint it? reckon I'm going to market it, don't you come jumping in with yer Scouse bull shyyte

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #17

no bulls inScouseland. we ett 'em all.

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #18

telectrix said:

no bulls inScouseland. we ett 'em all.

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OK Horse shyyte or have you ett them as well?

 

telectrix

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #19

Pete999 said:

OK Horse shyyte or have you ett them as well?

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nope we never ett horses, we married them.

 

Pete999

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• Sep 23, 2017

• #20

telectrix said:

nope we never ett horses, we married them.

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So you aint like the Taffs into sheep and anything bovine