installation testers [as in expensive meters!]

[apprentice87]

Hi all, What do you all think is the best installation test meter to get?? I was thinking a Fluke 1654b. Yes, expensive i know, but i have got other fluke stuff that seems very nice to me. What make of meter would you all recommend??

Also, i was thinking, if it would be better to get separate meters for separate tasks, you know, an rcd tester, an insulation tester, etc etc. The only problem with this is that it seems to be more expensive than buying one meter that does the lot, and you would be spending a fortune on having them all calibrated every year.

What you all use and what do you like, anyone had anything they did not like??

Thanks all

 

[a1]

Whatever one you decide to get - I would purchase it from our forum sponsor "megger mark". from isswww.co.uk. their prices are cheap enough as it is, but you will receive a further discount for being a forum member.

 

[Evans Electric]

Hi Apprentice87, I have seperate meters , which I've had for ages , but they are a pain in the ass, all that swopping and changing . I usually use my mate's Robin multi tester .

Two other things that drive me up the wall are :-

1. The Robin multi test trips the RCDs on loop impedance.

2. My own Kewtec KT42 (Which is a Robin really) doesn't trip normal RCDs but does trip RCBOs (which is the reason I only fit dual RCD boards!!! )

As for recalib. costs , they are exactly the same for the 3 function Robin as for the three seperate ones . They obviously charge for each function (

 

[Sidewinder]

Fluke MFT, 1653B.

One thing to carry around, have enough in the van already!

Would have gone for the 1654 but it was not out when I got my last mft.

I carry enough meters as it is without another 2!

I can get my Fluke clamp meter & the lightmates in the box with it, as well as the leads I need & the socket tester, voltstick, & "approved" voltage indicator.

 

[PC Electrics]

I've had a Megger 1552 for five years now. Very happy with it.

 

[Doc Hudson]

Individual testers have the advantage where you are working with other electricians on a regular basis. For a sole trader a single multifunction tester can be more convenient. As EvansElectris says, many re-calibration companies charge by function not by meter. Hoverer you do have to balance the potential inconvenience if the a meter fails.

Doc H.

 

[ianmacd]

Not sure where you are looking as my MFT is cheaper to recal than separates.

 

[a1]

Forgot to add that I have a Fluke 1652 - and am very happy with it.

Are we talking of buying a New or Used model, mate?

I assumed New.

 

[m4tty]

Mft1552 too can't fault it really apart from eating batteries lol

 

[ianmacd]

Megger MFT1553.

 

[apprentice87]

Hi Admin, yes, i would get a new one. I will use the people you mentioned too, "Megger Mark" as if they are good enough to sponsor the forum then they deserve our support. Not sure what to get though, either the fluke or the megger i think.

Few other things i fancy too. especially the megger clamp meter that reads multiple cored cable! Cannot see that you would use one all that much, but it would be novel i suppose! Anyone got one, what they think of it??

john

 

[Sidewinder]

I have an old Robin clamp, an LEM a.c. only with peak, a Fluke 337 & the earth leakage clamp Megger Mark did as a forum special.

So I can't help with the Megger unit sorry!

 

[ISSWWW]

Whatever one you decide to get - I would purchase it from our forum sponsor "megger mark". from isswww.co.uk. their prices are cheap enough as it is, but you will receive a further discount for being a forum member.

Many Thanks as always

Hi Admin, yes, i would get a new one. I will use the people you mentioned too, "Megger Mark" as if they are good enough to sponsor the forum then they deserve our support. Not sure what to get though, either the fluke or the megger i think. Few other things i fancy too. especially the megger clamp meter that reads multiple cored cable! Cannot see that you would use one all that much, but it would be novel i suppose! Anyone got one, what they think of it??

john

We sell a fair amount of the Megger Multi Core Clamp (mmc850) and they certainly do what it says on the tin.

The Fluke 1654C looks to be a good tool and has a track record as it is based on technology previously used in the 1650 series.

Megger have moved to the MFT1700 range now, again looks to be good but it is new to the market so has no track record.

We have some MFT1553-ON SITE versions in stock that we could do a forum price on.

 

[sprocketflup]

MFT1553-On SITE?

 

[ianmacd]

Megger MFT1553 with some software to make it bluetooth your readings to a laptop while on site. Laptop not included. MFT1553 is a good meter though and I should know as I have one

 

[ISSWWW]

Megger MFT1553 with some software to make it bluetooth your readings to a laptop while on site. Laptop not included. MFT1553 is a good meter though and I should know as I have one

Could not have put it better myself :Salute

 

[fletchflash]

Whats the difference between a Fluke 1653B and 1654B?

Ive got a 1652B, i really like it. Pretty much everything i need, only thing i miss sometimes is phase rotation. However I also have a spare metrel alphatek in the van which has phase rotation. Is nice to have a spare, slightly beat up tester. Good to use for fault finding etc.

My mates got a megger. one thing I would say is an advantage for megger, when E/L testing on low current, you still only use two probes, whereas fluke 3.

Altough Flukes have definately got a better button probe than meggers!

 

[steptoe]

does fluke actually test on low current, or does it simply saturate the coil? hence the 3 probes.

but in all honesty I given up on Zs on RCDs now unless its only one circuit, I find it much much faster and more accurate to R1 R2 and calculate with Ze.

 

[ianmacd]

I find it much much faster and more accurate to R1 R2 and calculate with Ze.

How do you know that if you can't measure it?

 

[steptoe]

Aren't you measuring the resistance of the cables? Then adding to Ze? So you are measuring it, and its a required test anyway, so its saving time too by doing one less thing.

I usually do a few random Zs tests too, but not every circuit.