What testers to buy?

[TomSparkman]

Hi everyone,

looking to buy my first multimeter and insulation resistance testers, I've heard fluke and megger are pretty good. Anybody got any good advice on any other makes to look at? And which particular models ( including the fluke and megger)?

thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[Octopus]

Contact forum sponsor "test meter" - they have a good selection and a very useful matrix of products/features. I would say get an MFT with auto RCD test functionality - I use a metrel MFT

 

[Richard Burns]

Since the Metrel users have got in before the Fluke and Megger (and Robin and Seaward) crowd.
I will put in my word for the Metrel as well, the 3000/3100 does the full range of tests that you are likely to use has the ramp and auto functions for RCD testing, and costs less than the other makes, easy to use and has rechargeable batteries. (though I have found that taking the batteries out and charging them on a proper charger occasionally rather than always using the supplied charging system does refresh the batteries)

However others swear by their particular brand and I think overall it is what you are happy using.
Have an idea of what testing you you will need to do and ensure the one you get has those features, but plan ahead as well.

Just reread your post and see you say mulitmeter and not multifunction tester so may have got the wrong idea.

 

[Deservices]

I had the metrel 3001 also. A decent tester. Only thing I found was afters say 15 earth loop tests would slow down, other than that it's good and cheap(still have as my spur) I have a mega mft now and other than having to use 3 wires to test at a light where the metrel uses 2 is a much better unit. I also think but not 100% the mega does a full test on the earth loop(RCD) but the metrel is limited.

 

[TomSparkman]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I am going to go for the metrel 3000 as I've spoken to quite a few people and it seems pound for pound they are the best for me

 

[mayfair]

Good luck with it.....I still use my little yellow Robin bricks .

 

[Eddiesparks]

I have metrel 3000 i think. The 3 wire non trip loops are a total hassle. Do megger do two wire non trip? Also autostart very useful on meggers (used 1553 in college) Any other meters do these two functions? Megger are v expensive

My Metrel worked well for a year then lately has been giving me odd no trip loop readings. E.g - got 35 ohms at a socket so took front off, tested at terminals - 42 ohms. Isolated,stripped back, reterminated - s ame reading. Wrote on test sheet. Wrote it out as a C2 fault. Went back at the end and it gave me a 0.68 ohm reading. Really odd!! Had to use tipp ex correction ribbon on test sheet it looked rough as anything!!

Not heard anything about seaward. Cheap british kit. Any good?

 

[Engineer54]

Think about investing in a earth leakage clamp too. Worth their weight in gold tracing out leakage problems on a dual RCD CU, among other uses. These days EVERY electrician should own one and no, a ramp test feature on a MFT won't find the source of the trouble.