Test kit recommendations please

[dg2908]

My test kit for the past five years has been a Metrel MI3125B. It is ready for replacement for the following reasons:
1) The test lead has recently acquired a dodgy earth, replacing that would cost £30
2) The calibration was up in December, that would cost me £30
3) I can't get a USB-RS232 adaptor working to update the tables so that's a faff
4) The machine has some intermittent interface faults - sometimes pressing one of the buttons will act as if I've pressed one of the others...
5) Metrel weren't responsive when I e-mailed them for support regarding instances when the No trip Zs has given me a completely different reading to the standard Zs

I've been looking around at what to get and I think I'm have a choice between the following

Fluke 1653B @ £690
Martindale ET4000 @ £570 (Metrel MI3000 in disguise?)
Megger MFT1730 @ £950
Kewtech KT65DL @ £700

My hunch is that the Fluke would provide good value for money - would anyone recommend it?

Other thoughts turn to the occasional PAT work I do- the disadvantage to having used the MFT is no high current earth bond test for extension leads and the like. Is there anything cheaper than the Kewtech KT71 @ £350 that will do me a 20A test? Ability to measure leakage current is a major plus too.

Finally, what's good value for money in clamp meters with 1-100A range?

 

[shanky887614]

My test kit for the past five years has been a Metrel MI3125B. It is ready for replacement for the following reasons:
1) The test lead has recently acquired a dodgy earth, replacing that would cost £30
2) The calibration was up in December, that would cost me £30
3) I can't get a USB-RS232 adaptor working to update the tables so that's a faff
4) The machine has some intermittent interface faults - sometimes pressing one of the buttons will act as if I've pressed one of the others...
5) Metrel weren't responsive when I e-mailed them for support regarding instances when the No trip Zs has given me a completely different reading to the standard Zs

I've been looking around at what to get and I think I'm have a choice between the following

Fluke 1653B @ £690
Martindale ET4000 @ £570 (Metrel MI3000 in disguise?)
Megger MFT1730 @ £950
Kewtech KT65DL @ £700

My hunch is that the Fluke would provide good value for money - would anyone recommend it?

Other thoughts turn to the occasional PAT work I do- the disadvantage to having used the MFT is no high current earth bond test for extension leads and the like. Is there anything cheaper than the Kewtech KT71 @ £350 that will do me a 20A test? Ability to measure leakage current is a major plus too.

Finally, what's good value for money in clamp meters with 1-100A range?

ive got a 1654b and cant fault it, i havent used it a great deal but i havent had any issues with it either

 

[Leesparkykent]

I still prefer the megger 1553 over the 1700 series.

 

[shanky887614]

I still prefer the megger 1553 over the 1700 series.

i agree with that

 

[Leesparkykent]

i agree with that

Quality bit of kit apart from the catches on the case it comes in.

 

[Englishman]

i agree with that

I've been using mine for the last week and a half due to the 1720 being repaired due to the poxy continuity readings again, and it's been a pleasure. The main issue I have with it is the amount of time it takes to do an auto RCD test, seems like an age after being used to the 1720!

 

[Englishman]

Quality bit of kit apart from the catches on the case it comes in.

Indeed, my catches have become a catch.

 

[shanky887614]

Indeed, my catches have become a catch.

get a cheap flight case from maplins etc.

or if you want it to outlive the tester pelican.

get some foam and cut to size

 

[LankyWill]

ive used both Megger and Fluke but ended up purchasing a Megger 1720 and its worth every penny. Its simple to use and a reliable tester post firmware update. Flukes alright but the one i had for a week was a pain, it had a button on the lead to perform tests instead of auto test like the megger when performing Zs i dont know why but this bugged me. The interface isnt as clean and user friendly as the megger. Top marks on the flukes case though cant fault that part.

 

[Englishman]

get a cheap flight case from maplins etc.

or if you want it to outlive the tester pelican.

get some foam and cut to size

Work own it mate so in all honesty, I'm not overly bothered about it, but the single clip does annoy me.

 

[shanky887614]

Work own it mate so in all honesty, I'm not overly bothered about it, but the single clip does annoy me.

then get work to buy more, they can get them from ebay or when it gets calibrated

 

[Englishman]

ive used both Megger and Fluke but ended up purchasing a Megger 1720 and its worth every penny. Its simple to use and a reliable tester post firmware update. Flukes alright but the one i had for a week was a pain, it had a button on the lead to perform tests instead of auto test like the megger when performing Zs i dont know why but this bugged me. The interface isnt as clean and user friendly as the megger. Top marks on the flukes case though cant fault that part.

The 1720 is a lovely machine, until the contacts go at the back and the continuity readings won't settle. I've had mine less than two years and it's current away for the second time. The other lads on the firm have had the same issues as well. Hated Flukes when I used them at college.

 

[Englishman]

then get work to buy more, they can get them from ebay or when it gets calibrated

You are aware that I'm talking about the catches on the case aren't you? They've never failed, but they sometimes fall off when the box shuts itself and they then tend to go walkies.

 

[shanky887614]

The 1720 is a lovely machine, until the contacts go at the back and the continuity readings won't settle. I've had mine less than two years and it's current away for the second time. The other lads on the firm have had the same issues as well. Hated Flukes when I used them at college.

i mainly used a 1500 series at work, i like both. i like the fluke more for actual testing cause of the probe with the test button

 

[gafc156]

Used to have a 1653b, now changed to mft1730 which i prefer

Although the case is rubbish, so need to get a fluke case

 

[shanky887614]

You are aware that I'm talking about the catches on the case aren't you? They've never failed, but they sometimes fall off when the box shuts itself and they then tend to go walkies.

yes you can buy them on Amazon for the black case for the tester

or do what everyone else does and use some singles

 

[NDG Elecs]

I have a 1552 bought from new in 2008. Calibrates lovely every year, generally with very little deviation from the benchmarks. Usually feel confident that it is giving correct readings, except when batts are low. The case clips though are indeed annoying. I will be gutted when it gives up the ghost.

Also have the Fluke T5 & 360. Again, they feel solid and reliable.

 

[Englishman]

yes you can buy them on Amazon for the black case for the tester

or do what everyone else does and use some singles

You probably can, but the integrity of the remaining clip is adequate and it's my spare machine so only used for a few weeks a year.

 

[shanky887614]

I have a 1552 bought from new in 2008. Calibrates lovely every year, generally with very little deviation from the benchmarks. Usually feel confident that it is giving correct readings, except when batts are low. The case clips though are indeed annoying. I will be gutted when it gives up the ghost.

Also have the Fluke T5 & 360. Again, they feel solid and reliable.

i agree with the flukes but i dont trust the t90 ive got a brand new one in the garage thats never been used.

i had one and it failed, got given a replacement but i just dont trust it

it always went straight into self test mode so you couldnt use it for continuity

 

[Englishman]

Why don't you sell it?

 

[shanky887614]

Why don't you sell it?

there around £30 new, ill get round to selling it at some point

 

[NDG Elecs]

i agree with the flukes but i dont trust the t90 ive got a brand new one in the garage thats never been used.

i had one and it failed, got given a replacement but i just dont trust it

it always went straight into self test mode so you couldnt use it for continuity

Is the T90 the one with LEDs? I have that in the bottom of my bag but now use the T5. The continuity is not the best and sometimes get readings of 8 ohms when the leads are 'zeroed'. I got the croc clips for it and the zeroed leads were back to normal ish so put it down to worn contacts on the probes. Generally use it for checking voltage, isolation and checking fuses are OK. But I wouldn't rely on it for any kind of accurate resistance measurement. Had it about four years and still works well.

 

[shanky887614]

Is the T90 the one with LEDs? I have that in the bottom of my bag but now use the T5. The continuity is not the best and sometimes get readings of 8 ohms when the leads are 'zeroed'. I got the croc clips for it and the zeroed leads were back to normal ish so put it down to worn contacts on the probes. Generally use it for checking voltage, isolation and checking fuses are OK. But I wouldn't rely on it for any kind of accurate resistance measurement. Had it about four years and still works well.

yes the t90 it only has led's.

i was trying to use it to bell cables out but as soon as the ends got shorted it went straight to self test.

the t5's are good. i prefer my multimeter for accurate measurements though, i would rather use my dmm than mft for an accurate voltage reading

 

[NDG Elecs]

yes the t90 it only has led's.

i was trying to use it to bell cables out but as soon as the ends got shorted it went straight to self test.

the t5's are good. i prefer my multimeter for accurate measurements though, i would rather use my dmm than mft for an accurate voltage reading

My T90 was OK also then. Wouldn't have upgraded to the T5 if I had problems with it! Must have got a dud there mate.

Just googled. I have the T100 not 90.

 

[shanky887614]

My T90 was OK also then. Wouldn't have upgraded to the T5 if I had problems with it! Must have got a dud there mate.

i was working away as well when it broke......

 

[NDG Elecs]

i was working away as well when it broke......

Sods law in action there!!

 

[dg2908]

Crikey this didn't take long to deviate substantially...

Thanks for replies so far. Case not really something I'm worried about, currently using a Pelicase copy and can easily refoam it to suit. MFT1553 isn't made any more so that option's out.