Earth leakage meter

[sparks-2012]

Hi guys

Purchased a earth leakage meter off cpc (multicomp pro) and not really impressed. The reading fluctuate to much depending on where it's clamped around the tails and I don't trust it

So my question is is it worth spending ££££ and getting a reputable brand? And which earth leakage meters do you guys use and how do you find them ?

Thanks

 

[NozSpark]

I have a relatively cheap one and it’s help narrow down 2 fault today at a park lodge site… one was water in a wiska box for some trace heating (about 30mA) and the other was a faulty inset electric fire (84mA leakage)… on different units

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi guys

Purchased a earth leakage meter off cpc (multicomp pro) and not really impressed. The reading fluctuate to much depending on where it's clamped around the tails and I don't trust it

So my question is is it worth spending ££££ and getting a reputable brand? And which earth leakage meters do you guys use and how do you find them ?

Thanks

Lets assume you have spent mega-bucks and now have a 100% accurate meter that gives you earth leakage readings around the tails to two decimal milliamp places....

How will that actually help you identify which circuit or circuits are causing an RCD protecting multiple circuits to trip?

In my opinion.. Installing full RCBO consumer units, and having a cheap clamp meter to give you an indication of the magnitude of possible leakage currents during fault investigations is all you need.

I was about to say... "I'm not familiar with Multicomp"...
BUT I then thought.. What is the make of that clamp meter I use when needed...

And Low & Behold.. It is a "Multicomp pro MP780050"
Which I think I did actually buy from CPC many years ago..?!!

I have two other clamp meters.. One a Maplin's own brand jobbie,
which is obviously quite old now as Maplin's went bump a long time ago!

And a UNI-T one.. but the CPC 'Multicomp pro' is the more accurate from my experience..

And has proved to be sufficient for my needs so far without breaking into my holiday savings or the Christmas present funds box to buy a new meter !!

The bottom line is...
Experience, Knowledge, Logic, Understanding of test results to identify potential faults..
- vs - Results from an expensive test meter but limited understanding of what the readings actually mean?

A competent person, knows how to utilise all of the test equipment they have access to and interpret readings to evaluate potential problems / faults.

 

[UNG]

Hi guys

Purchased a earth leakage meter off cpc (multicomp pro) and not really impressed. The reading fluctuate to much depending on where it's clamped around the tails and I don't trust it

Given you are checking earth leakage on a live installation it is possible that earth leakage could fluctuate depending on the installation type and any devices like fridges and freezers that are switching on and off will all have an effect on what you are reading

So my question is is it worth spending ££££ and getting a reputable brand? And which earth leakage meters do you guys use and how do you find them ?

Never seen a need to spend a fortune on an earth leakage meter when my cheap one does what I need

 

[UNG]

The bottom line is...
Experience, Knowledge, Logic, Understanding of test results to identify potential faults..
- vs - Results from an expensive test meter but limited understanding of what the readings actually mean?

A competent person, knows how to utilise all of the test equipment they have access to and interpret readings to evaluate potential problems / faults.

These are very valid points that seened to be overlooked during training these days, back in my days at college hours were spent on reading and understanding the specs of various types of test equipment in order to be able to make an informed choice for the task in hand
In all the specs cost isn't one of the performance features listed and in some cases a large increase in the cost does not necessarily deliver much higher performance levels
As with all test equipment it is only as good as the person using it and getting the best from it and then interpreting the readings given

 

[Marvo]

Clamp meters measure the magnetic field caused by current flowing down a wire. Leakage clamp meters are measuring very small currents and are very sensitive to the point where the earths magnetic field itself can affect your readings. More expensive leakage clamps tend to compensate at least somewhat for the fluctuations, with the cheaper versions you've got to compensate yourself by taking a more holistic view of the results it gives and not getting hung up on the fact the readings are skittish.

 

[Mike P]

Megger DCM305E Earth Leakage Clamp Meter.​

Great piece of kit

 

[Apache]

I bought a Martindale one for some fault finding just over 2 years ago. Was less than £200. Has gone up £100 in that time!