Will a Fuse Finder do this?

[Stevesplatto]

Hi,
I'm working up an estimate for a board change for a flat in a small block.
Checking for the main incomers in the Dry riser cupboards and of
course the labels are 'inconclusive' to say the least!
I confess in the past I've just pulled fuses (one was 5 fuses until the right one) but whacking the fuses back in under load is not great and I'm reformed these days.
So, I was thinking of treating myself to a Fuse Finder, something like a DiLog PL500?
Has anyone successfully used one of these to identify a main incomer fuse?
Cheers

 

[Pete999]

imo they aren't really that accurate have enough finding fuses in a CU with one.

 

[stevethesparks]

I have a martindale finder and it works very well. Make sure you choose a digital one rather than the cheaper analogue ones.
I think mine is the FD650 elite. I find it works best on auto mode, you scan the whole board and then go back over and it identifies the fuse/mcb that gave the best reading.

 

[Stevesplatto]

Hi,
Many thanks for the feedback. My question isnt about finding an MCB on a board. I have a number of badly labelled main incomer fuses in a utility cupboard and I need to find out which one serves the flat I'm working on. Anyone ever used a fuse finder to do this?

 

[telectrix]

or pull a fuse and wait to see who comes down screaming at you.

 

[PEG]

Hi,
I'm working up an estimate for a board change for a flat in a small block.
Checking for the main incomers in the Dry riser cupboards and of
course the labels are 'inconclusive' to say the least!
I confess in the past I've just pulled fuses (one was 5 fuses until the right one) but whacking the fuses back in under load is not great and I'm reformed these days.
So, I was thinking of treating myself to a Fuse Finder, something like a DiLog PL500?
Has anyone successfully used one of these to identify a main incomer fuse?
Cheers

...Least of all,for the dude on dialysis...

 

[Stevesplatto]

Absolutely! There's a gym and swimming pool on the ground floor, make a nice bang bringing those Saunas back on!

 

[Wilko]

I use clamp meter on tail to avoid surprises

 

[westward10]

I use clamp meter on tail to avoid surprises

My thoughts exactly plug in a couple of heaters or kettles to get some load I do this all the time to find circuits.

 

[Stevesplatto]

Hi,
No. I'm looking for the main incomer fuse. Theyre in a utility cupboard badly marked. Anybody know if i put a fuse finder on the live side of the main switch I'll be able to tell which incomer fuse belongs to the flat I'm working on?

 

[westward10]

Can you not clamp the conductors.

 

[Stevesplatto]

Hi, here's a picture below. Putting a clamp meter around the tails isnt going to tell me which fuse to pull. Theyre all live!

View attachment 35991

 

[westward10]

I know what I would do just pull them out.

 

[polo1]

I know what I would do just pull them out.

I'd be more worried about putting the wrong ones back in!

 

[westward10]

I'd be more worried about putting the wrong ones back in!

One at a time, pull the wrong ones people won't even notice.

 

[Stevesplatto]

Probably what I'll have to do in the end..
As Polo says, if I pull one with a lot of load on it, and it's very possible, then it'll be fun putting it back in

 

[Rpa07]

It should do the job just as well as finding a mcb in a board. Point is that if you pull the right fuse by the tone that you have tracked, then cutting of the power stops the tone.
Great little gadget To use and can save a bunch of time which gives you more time to drink tea with the water you've boiled on the kettle that you turned on before cutting the power - see, I am meant to be an electrician!

 

[telectrix]

It should do the job just as well as finding a mcb in a board. Point is that if you pull the right fuse by the tone that you have tracked, then cutting of the power stops the tone.
Great little gadget To use and can save a bunch of time which gives you more time to drink tea with the water you've boiled on the kettle that you turned on before cutting the power - see, I am meant to be an electrician!

wimp.drink beer.no need for a kettle.

 

[7029 dave]

I have the martindale, no problem with it, good bit of kit.