GS38 Leads

[trying my best]

Hello, I've been trying to clarify that I need fused MFT leads with a Megger 1552. It seems that the 1552 has 'Replaceable 500 mA (F) HBC 10 kA 500 V' which meets GS38 I believe, but it is not in the lead. Another factor is that the leads/probe ends that came with the MFT are too fat to reach inside even some of the most basic of fitting to make contact with terminals, eg ceiling roses, without taking off the small plastic cover on the probe end which obviously exposes more than 4mm.

Questions are, therefore, what leads would you say I needed for my inspector's visit next Friday, fused or unfused, and are there any leads you have experience of that will fit MFT 1552, 90 degree, and that have probes slim enough to get to contacts. Been looking at Kewteck, Martindale, etc but pictures too poor to know they would suit. Silvertronic pictures better and do slim probe extensions though no prices etc.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Ps, have done intro thread so hope not just jumping in with questions.

 

[Andy™]

i have used standard leads with my 1552 for 2 assessments so far and he hasnt mentioned anything about it. just use it how it is

 

[ian932]

i have used standard leads with my 1552 for 2 assessments so far and he hasnt mentioned anything about it. just use it how it is

Same here with a 1553 standard set, also last time I left the little covers off by mistake and he never said a thing.

 

[Andy™]

ive lost the little covers off 2 of them

 

[jl-heating]

i have mine in the bag but have been inspected with and without ,i have finger guards and mentioned to the inspector about access and he said no problem.

also locked off and labelled and he was surprized when i did it .. lol..

1 thing he was keen on was the ze test to tell the customer not to touch anything steel in the house due to the risk of possible shock.

might give u a browny point to say it before he asks .

 

[green-hornet]

GS38 is a recommendation document from the HSE, introduced to reduce the risk of injury or death when live testing.

Personaly I would use the probes that conform, futher covering my backside,and giving me the recommended protection and excemption from further action from the HSE when things go wrong.

However each to their own I suppose.

 

[ian932]

GS38 is a recommendation document from the HSE, introduced to reduce the risk of injury or death when live testing.Personaly I would use the probes that conform, futher covering my backside,and giving me the recommended protection and excemption from further action from the HSE when things go wrong.

However each to their own I suppose.

Being the key word and its all a matter of risk assessment and the risk of testing a circuit that you believe has been isolated with a blown fuse in the GS38 lead is a higher risk than the benefit of protection against accidental shorting out. Also these leads with a 500mA fuse can not be used on loop testing or PFC so when you way up the number of live tests you use them on have the HSE gone a bit OTT on this IMO.

 

[Andy™]

Well the circuit is RCD'd so whats the problem?!

 

[green-hornet]

Loop testers are normally fitted with a 10amp fuse and not the 500mA.

On domestic testing I would doubt there would be any problem given the risks of not using GS38 leads, but for three phase busbar systems and larger switchgear I would not use anything but GS38.

 

[ian932]

Loop testers are normally fitted with a 10amp fuse and not the 500mA.On domestic testing I would doubt there would be any problem given the risks of not using GS38 leads, but for three phase busbar systems and larger switchgear I would not use anything but GS38.

And 10A does not meet with the recommendation of GS38, I agree with the 3 phase principle though.

This is yet another one of those HSE papers that the so called experts try and apply to anything they can without applying common sense and applying it where its really required.

 

[wozz]

i read a document from megger outlining the many problems with fused test leads complying to GS38. i cant remember where i read it so cant give a link.

 

[green-hornet]

One of the main problems with fused test leads is the bulky design, neccesary for the fuse holder.

Another problem was the screw type croc clips or probes, and the restricted terminal.

Since the first types where introduced there have been many developments with spring loaded probe covers, enabeling the probes to fit in long reaching places.

I have about 4 different sets for testing some are no more than a needle in diameter, others are like a sledgehammer.

 

[Andy™]

others are like a sledgehammer.

blaming the test kit now for your work looking like its had a make over with a sledgehammer?

 

[trying my best]

Yes Green Hornet, basic thing is don't want inspector to say cannot watch you do a test with basic leads, but also agree with ian932 regards fused though if the Megger's own fuse is a 500 mA (F) HBC 10 kA 500 V fuse and copes with loop testing why not that in a probe? Andyc, re RCD, perhaps this may be the very problem, test for tripping time being later on in the live tests! Only my thoughts as yes I can get in to certain fittings only by taking the end caps off but this exposes 20 / 25mm probe tip and certainly don't seem able to get standard Megger probes to to fit in such as Helcon connectors so still need some direction. Thanks for viewing etc, a nice change having viewed some forums.

 

[Andy™]

for the red probe, mine came with a few adapters that screw into the end and can get into tight terminals. still doesnt help for neutral or earth lead though

 

[trying my best]

Sorry, did not realise more responses as I was writing. So overall seems for domestic use none fused as will not be failed by inspector, but get a set that is a bit longer and certainly slimmer in the probe end before getting to the 4mm than the supplied Megger set. Be sure please as

 

[ianmacd]

The assessor on my ELECSA assessment never saw my caps on. I was either making "dead" tests so they are not needed or using croc clips (again not needed). He did ask if I had some (they were in a bag in my megger's case), so I showed him them. He said they fitted in the little holes at the top of the lid section. Very useful tip I thought and put hem in there straight away.

Ian.