Just got the Di-Log

[gselectrical]

Morning all.

After reading the excellent reviews of leakage clamp meters on here, I decided to buy one.

Went for the Di-Log in the end. Mainly due to price.

Ive never used a clamp meter before so bear with me.

Right if I wanted to measure the earth leakage on a domestic installation would it be a case of clamping the main earthing conductor?

Can Line & Neutral be clamped together to measure the imbalance?

Can the incoming Line be clamped to measure the current draw of the installation?

Appliances. In order to test the leakage to earth would I have to make up some sort of lead to be able to clamp the CPC?

Cheers guys

GS

 

[Apache]

Did it not come with instructions?

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Have a look here

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/442175.pdf

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 10:06 ---------- Previous post was made at 10:04 ----------

Right if I wanted to measure the earth leakage on a domestic installation would it be a case of clamping the main earthing conductor?Can Line & Neutral be clamped together to measure the imbalance?

Line and neutral together was how I thought you'd do it.

Can the incoming Line be clamped to measure the current draw of the installation?

Yes.

Appliances. In order to test the leakage to earth would I have to make up some sort of lead to be able to clamp the CPC?

You mean clamp the L&N and not the CPC? You could, or if practical isolate everything else? We're getting into PAT testing now...........

 

[gselectrical]

Did it not come with instructions?---------- Post Auto-Merged at 10:04 ---------- Previous post was made at 09:58 ----------

Have a look here

http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/442175.pdf

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 10:06 ---------- Previous post was made at 10:04 ----------

Line and neutral together was how I thought you'd do it.

Yes.

You mean clamp the L&N and not the CPC? You could, or if practical isolate everything else? We're getting into PAT testing now...........

Cheers.

Instructions don't really mention much about "current measurements", but then again they are probably aimed towards somebody who actually knows how to use a clamp meter.

Just clamped mine around the the "live tail" feeding our place as a test, on the 100A range. 0.00A is what I get. Cooker on etc.

Clamped round L&N on 40mA range measures 0.27mA

Cheers

GS

 

[Apache]

Cheers.Instructions don't really mention much about "current measurements", but then again they are probably aimed towards somebody who actually knows how to use a clamp meter.

Just clamped mine around the the "live tail" feeding our place as a test, on the 100A range. 0.00A is what I get. Cooker on etc.

Clamped round L&N on 40mA range measures 0.27mA

Cheers

GS

Try the main tails on the 40A range.

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make sure the jaws are shut

 

[Doc Hudson]

A normal basic clamp meter is only placed around a single conductor, see page 9 of the link Apache posted. Make sure the jaws are correctly closed, if they are fractionally open it will not work correctly. The clamp jaws become part of a transformer yoke & winding to allow the induced current to be read. Try plugging in a kettle while your meter is around the incoming live tail, it will probably increase by around 8 or 10 amps when you switch the kettle on. If it doesn't then something is not quite right. If you loop the jaws around live and neutral the two opposing currents cancel each other out.

Doc H.

 

[Apache]

If you loop the jaws around live and neutral to two opposing currents cancel each other out.

.... and any difference is the earth leakage? AFAIK

 

[Doc Hudson]

.... and any difference is the earth leakage? AFAIK

I would be interested to hear if the Dilog can indeed do this, most basic clamp meters are only designed for use round a single conductor as per instructions page 9. There can be complexities reading two conductors together due to the nature of the alternating currents. Not quite as straight forward as reading two DC currents and deducting one from the other.

Doc H.

 

[a1]

I agree with Doc, They will cancel each other out and are designed to go around a single conductor. (basic clamp meters).

 

[ianmacd]

Also make sure you have the meter the correct way round. There should be a arrow on it showing which way the current should be flowing.

 

[gselectrical]

Tried it on the 40A range. Kettle on, still nothing. Tried the clamp both ways.

The only reading I can get is when it is on the 30mA range and around both L & N conductors. (0.27mA)

Cheers guys

 

[Apache]

I would be interested to hear if the Dilog can indeed do this, most basic clamp meters are only designed for use round a single conductor as per instructions page 9. There can be complexities reading two conductors together due to the nature of the alternating currents. Not quite as straight forward as reading two DC currents and deducting one from the other.Doc H.

I agree with Doc, They will cancel each other out and are designed to go around a single conductor. (basic clamp meters).

We are not just talking about a standard clamp meter here gentlemen. It's sold for earth leakage fault finding, tripping RCD's etc

Accurate measurement of earth leakage down to a resolution of 10 uA enables the detection of nuisance tripping caused by faulty appliances or circuit faults resulting in current leakage to earth.

Dilog DL6507 10uA to 60A AC Leakage Clamp meter. Buy online or call

Remember the recent threads and poll?

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/poll-forum/13456-earth-leakage-clamp.html

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/testers/13429-ammeters.html

 

[professional]

I agree with Doc, They will cancel each other out and are designed to go around a single conductor. (basic clamp meters).

This meter is capable of carrying out differential current measurement - clamping the jaws around both L & N tails will measure the total leakage to earth of the installation.

Additionally, comparing this reading with that obtained by clamping the main earth conductor will give a pretty good indication of any earth leakage to the general mass of earth via various paths in parallel to the main earth conductor.

The real skill is interpreting the readings obtained.

I doubt the 5 day courses teach such useful fault finding techniques. :coat

This meter is so simple to use it`s laughable - absolutely fantastic little piece of kit.

 

[gselectrical]

Ok. I appreciate the fact that it may be "so simple to use, its laughable" to some.

I am only looking for a few pointers, as I have never used a clamp meter before.

The 5 day courses probably do not teach such useful fault finding techinques. Lucky I am not a "5 day wonder" then isn't it?

 

[Voltimax]

I'm not taking the juice I promise you, but you're an electrician and you've never used a clamp meter before?

 

[ianmacd]

I'm not taking the juice I promise you, but you're an electrician and you've never used a clamp meter before?

Objection, asked and answered. Sustained, move on.

 

[Sidewinder]

I know an elecrtrician, 4 yrs time served, all relevant C&G's passed (236) including regs (17th) & 2391, & the PAT course.

Worked since 16 as an electrician when he started his apprenticeship.

Not done much domestic, mainly ind & comm, alarms etc.

He was around 30/35 when I met him (unfortunately), he did not know how to use a clamp meter either!

So it may not be uncommon?

 

[PC Electrics]

I'm not taking the juice I promise you, but you're an electrician and you've never used a clamp meter before?

No need to be condescending. There's a first time for everything: from walking and talking, to sex and riding a bike, through using a clamp meter and then dying (though that's usually a 'once in a lifetime' offer).

Anyone got any useful tips and hints for using these?

this thread has reminded me to get mine on order from Mark.

 

[Apache]

to sex and riding a bike

I can do either at once, but never managed it together. Any tips PC? Is this a stabiliser job?

 

[Manator]

I know an electrician who is fully qualified but does not have the 2391, he is 40 and has never even tested a single circuit, obviously others have done that who employed him, he is still an awesome electrician with good instinct, and in good demand locally because he is trusted to do the job right.

He works for me now so I have started to get him interested in the testing side which can only improve his already useful skills.

 

[Voltimax]

Right as I said before I wasn't taking the juice at all so don't jump on me. I certainly wasn't being condescending either.

I was just surprised that was all.