Multifunctional Testers - Which one have you got and how long has it lasted?

[Dan]

Just wondering which multifunctional testers you guys have, and how long have they lasted?

Hoping this becomes a handy thread for you all. There seems to be a massive price difference between them all. But then I guess some do things others don't? Not sure.

Let us know which multifunctional testers you have, which ones you wish you had, and how long the one you have has lasted so far.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I have a 3 piece Robin set , had it over 15 years now

 

[Risteard]

I have a Megger MFT 1741-BS. Had a Megger MFT 1553 before that. (Still have it as a backup.) New one is much faster and also has rechargeable batteries. Great instrument, although some would still swear by the 1500 series over the 1700 series.

 

[richy3333]

Megger 1741, 1735, 1731 and a Metrel 3155 eurotest

 

[Andy78]

Metrel MI3000, lasted about 7 years from new but now has an intermittent fault on the navigation button, probably on the PCB.
Replaced with another preloved MI3000 whilst deciding on the next one.

 

[JBW175]

Plus one for the Megger 1741, as has been said already. A top bit of kit. ??

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Another +1 for the Megger 1741.

 

[telectrix]

1553. manufactured 2008. bought 2nd hand from a forum member 6 years ago. never missed a beat. still looks like new.

 

[sparkdog]

Megger 3 piece since 2010 still fine.
Martindale ET4000 was great until it got nicked.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Fluke 1654 and a Metrel Easitest MI 2087, both bought used. The Fluke is a lot slicker but then it's newer and was more expensive. The Metrel is over 10 years old and still going strong.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Are we the only country to use MF testers ?

I have spoken to sparks from America , Canada , New Zealand , Australia , Greece and Spain non of which use a MF back home

 

[BruvDunk]

Old Robin KTS 1620 probably over 15 years old still works fine.....

 

[telectrix]

and a 1970's wind up megger that still gives consistent readings.

 

[Chris86]

Trusty old Dilog 9083P. Bought used from another spark who was upgrading. Very easy to use which makes it ideal for me. Worked well for 3 years and sails through its annual calibration.

 

[JBW175]

and a 1970's wind up megger that still gives consistent readings.

we used to use a big old wind up megger onboard ship for testing back in the late 90's.

 

[GMES]

I've had a metrel eurotest for about 15 years now without a glitch.
Also got a megger 1720 and kewtech, we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

 

[MJPD29]

Are we the only country to use MF testers ?

I have spoken to sparks from America , Canada , New Zealand , Australia , Greece and Spain non of which use a MF back home

From what I gather we are. And from what I see here the americans dont even test their equivalent or an rcd. How do they even know it works??

 

[Dustydazzler]

From what I gather we are. And from what I see here the americans dont even test their equivalent or an rcd. How do they even know it works??

They press the test button

 

[mattg4321]

Megger 1553. Keep thinking about 'upgrading' to the 1700 series but it still works fine! Had it around 11 years.

 

[ashrow]

Fluke 1652 (been to repairers so so so many times)
DI log 9083P.........rubbish but used as back up for the Fluke as it was cheap and i needed a tester as Fluke being repaired again
Now got the Megger 1741

 

[telectrix]

I've had a metrel eurotest for about 15 years now without a glitch.
Also got a megger 1720 and kewtech, we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

send it to The Calibration Centre, Stafford. a lot cheaper than Megger. failing which, i'll give you a tenner for it.

 

[ferg]

Fluke 1652, never missed a beat and passes calibration every time.

 

[ashrow]

I've had a metrel eurotest for about 15 years now without a glitch.
Also got a megger 1720 and kewtech, we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

There is a company in Kemspton Bedforshire that are really good on repairing test equipment, they repaired my fluke even though parts were no longer sold by fluke etc etc

 

[Dan]

I've had a metrel eurotest for about 15 years now without a glitch.
Also got a megger 1720 and kewtech, we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

Can our sponsor not sort you out they're Megger approved. www.test-meter.co.uk @Test-Meter I'm sure if you tell them you're admin they will try sort you out.

 

[freddo]

I use a Kewtech KT65DL mostly, had it for about 5 years? And a KT63 had a bit longer. Before that had a set of 3 Robin testers for quite a few years, preferred to use those but had to retire them as the loop tester is no good with RCBOs.

 

[Wilko]

Kewtech KT65 for last 3 years. It’s been reliable and we understand each other. I do have Megger envy building, but the KT just won’t die .

 

[DaveyD]

Had the Fluke 1651 MFT (still have .. just in case)
using the 1652C now exclusively for the past eight years. Get calibrated each year and buy new test leads.
[automerge]1571091237[/automerge]

we understand each other

?

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Just wondering which multifunctional testers you guys have, and how long have they lasted?

Cheeky plug: Multifunction Testers and Part P Test Equipment - https://www.test-meter.co.uk/multifunction-testers/

Hoping this becomes a handy thread for you all. There seems to be a massive price difference between them all. But then I guess some do things others don't? Not sure.

Let us know which multifunctional testers you have, which ones you wish you had, and how long the one you have has lasted so far.

Thanks for the plug Dan - if anyone does want any info, we're always happy to help people find the right tester and we do have a fair few MFTs in stock to choose from!

I've had a metrel eurotest for about 15 years now without a glitch.
Also got a megger 1720 and kewtech, we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

Can our sponsor not sort you out they're Megger approved. www.test-meter.co.uk @Test-Meter I'm sure if you tell them you're admin they will try sort you out.

We're always happy to provide a competitive, no obligation quote for repairs.
Just drop us a message on [email protected] or call 0113 248 9966 - ideally with a fault description - and we'll see what we can do!

 

[Timbo]

Fluke 1654B. Never had any problems in 8 years. Last 2 years been calibrated at CEF calibration day for £20 + VAT.

 

[123]

I've a Fluke MFT, but find on earth loop tests it's too sensitive to noise so I use it as a backup. I should really get around to selling it but it's hard to part with tools and equipment and one day it will be required.

My go to is a set of Megger separates. They never seem to miss a beat.

 

[happysteve]

Kewtech KT65 for last 3 years. It’s been reliable and we understand each other. I do have Megger envy building, but the KT just won’t die .

Ha! Was in a very similar position until about a year ago, when I finally succumbed and got a Megger 1741. I still have fond memories of my KT63 (particularly when the Megger starts to weigh heavy round my neck!). The only thing I didn't like about the KT63 was it didn't remember the lead null reading after power-off... and if you didn't press a button for 3 minutes, it powered off. So, so irritating when you've got the wander lead out doing an R2 test, and it times out. I got used to impulsively pressing the test button every minute or so, a habit that took me several months to get out of with the Megger (which, of course, on a Megger, pressing the test button on continuity test removes the null reading!). I sold my KT63 on to a forum member.

 

[JK-Electrical]

Megger MFT 1730. Purchased in 2014.

 

[littlespark]

I've got an Ethos kit from CEF. Obtained when previous employment company stopped trading. Does the job.
Separate continuity/insulation tester and loop/RCD tester.
Have used it since new in 2008. Goes through AA batteries like me and Greggs sausage rolls.

Will only buy a new kit or MFT when this one dies completely

 

[FatAlan]

and a 1970's wind up megger that still gives consistent readings.

I suspect you were very good at winding up Tel?

 

[telectrix]

I suspect you were very good at winding up Tel?

careful mate. we still have slave ships going from Liverpool to Louisiana. free passage.

 

[Midwest]

we had a megger 1730 until one of the lads dropped it, megger wanted £ 250.00 just to look at it , from what I've heard it's their standard reply. It's still sat in the office waiting for me to make a decision.

Concur; Meggers standard charge is £280inc, or thats what I was charged. I did contact our forum sponsors, when my 1730 went wibble. But apparently if they can't fix it, it has to go back to Megger. I could not be without mine at the time for that extended period, so shipped it back to Megger. Does come back calibrated. Guess if you have other devices, thats not a consideration.

Perhaps Test Meter could comment on that.

 

[FatAlan]

careful mate. we still have slave ships going from Liverpool to Louisiana. free passage.

Sounds good Tel. I could do with a cruise. Short hop from Louisiana to the Carribean.

 

[telectrix]

you fancy a criuse? here's your ride.

 

[PEG]

My pal brought me one of them back,from his holiday....in Turkey...?

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Concur; Meggers standard charge is £280inc, or thats what I was charged. I did contact our forum sponsors, when my 1730 went wibble. But apparently if they can't fix it, it has to go back to Megger. I could not be without mine at the time for that extended period, so shipped it back to Megger. Does come back calibrated. Guess if you have other devices, thats not a consideration.

Perhaps Test Meter could comment on that.

Hi Midwest, I've just asked our repairs manager about this; we can fix most MFT issues in our calibration lab so it's very, very rare we would send them to Megger. (It would be something like needing new costly PCBs for us to do that.) All our repairs do also come back calibrated.

We're always happy to investigate and provide a no obligation quote or advise of other options moving forward.

 

[Midwest]

Hi Midwest, I've just asked our repairs manager about this; we can fix most MFT issues in our calibration lab so it's very, very rare we would send them to Megger. (It would be something like needing new costly PCBs for us to do that.) All our repairs do also come back calibrated.

We're always happy to investigate and provide a no obligation quote or advise of other options moving forward.

Thanks for the reply. My issues, not yours, was turn around time and getting my meter back. So it had to go straight to Megger. Couldn’t take the chance you couldn’t fix.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Thanks for the reply. My issues, not yours, was turn around time and getting my meter back. So it had to go straight to Megger. Couldn’t take the chance you couldn’t fix.

No problem, I understand that.

In case you ever have need for repairs in the future, our turnaround time is normally very good, plus we usually use DPD to get things dispatched quickly. It's rare we can't fix things inhouse so if you ever need to send anything in, we'll always try give you a cost/time estimate as soon as we diagnose the issue. (Oh and we have hire equipment here too so if there was going to be a delay, I'm sure we could sort you out!)

 

[static zap]

An Affordable 2nd hand Fluke 1651B , for idiot proof low ohms testing.
( not as thorough as hi current surge PAT testers did, for earth continuity- but more useful !)

 

[Strima]

I've had my Megger 1552 for 8 years and it's still going strong. Had to have the cable plug plate replaced a couple of years ago as the internal plastic surround had snapped.

Tests can be a little slow to complete but TBH I'm in no great rush.

 

[SparkySy]

I'm currently running a Di-Log DL9083p And a trusty old megger mft1552 both very usable testers imho. I do love the megger more for consistency, especially as it has the high current loop test and 1000v insulation test. But for domestic stuff the di-log is perfect except it's missing a neck strap!

 

[Dobes_88]

Megger 1720 since 2014 - hasn't skipped a beat!

 

[James]

Fluke 1653
Been great and in use for 9 years so far

 

[Rigpig]

Martindale Et 4500 from test meter..... Had it 2 years and no complaints so far.

 

[GBDamo]

Trusty old Dilog 9083P. Bought used from another spark who was upgrading. Very easy to use which makes it ideal for me. Worked well for 3 years and sails through its annual calibration.

I also have one of these, getting on for five years old and still fine, recently calibrated OK.

It's a bit clunky and not at all sexy but it does all the tests only thing it's missing is a 1MOhm IR function.

I would genuinely like to know what makes the other £400-£600 pounds, to get the Meggers and Flukes, worthwhile.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I would genuinely like to know what makes the other £400-£600 pounds, to get the Meggers and Flukes, worthwhile.

Sometimes if doesn't have to - it depends on an individual or businesses circumstances, for example:
Dilog 9083P £325+vat
Megger 1741 £875+vat
The Megger is £550 more than the Dilog.
For a business, an MFT is a capital expenditure as opposed to a revenue item.
Typically a business will apply the '25% reducing balance' method of depreciation.
In year one (the year of purchase), the Dilog would charge £81.25 depreciation to the P&L and retain £243.75 on the balance sheet as fixed assets. Whereas the Megger would charge £218.75 depreciation and carry forward £656.25 asset value. So in year one, the Megger has actually only cost you £137.50 more, i.e. less than one typical morning's work, to have the latest tool you fancy, drool over and work hard for.
Fast forward to 2024 when Megger bring out their newer flagship MFT, the book value on the balance sheet of your 1741 is just £155, but the street price for a second hand one is still around £400 and every apprentice wants one, so you easily make £250 profit on resale when you sell it, which offsets against the year one depreciation on your new tester.
Conversely the residual value on secondary and tertiary brands, is often beneath the 25% reducing balance curve, giving you little or no profit on disposal.