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PLANNING ON BUYING A TESTER?
Buying a tester, or testers, is an important investment in your career. But before you put your hand in your pocket and hand over your hard-earned cash, take a few minutes to consider the following important points. Making an informed decision now may stop you regretting your investment in a few months.
WHAT DO I NEED?
What you’ll need to do your job are testers that will check earth loop impedance, RCD timings, insulation resistance and continuity, plus something to help you check whether cables are live before you work on them and to help you trace them, and also a general-purpose multimeter.
SINGLE OR MULTIFUNCTION TESTERS
The testers can be single function instruments or an all-in-one multifunction tester (MFT). These days most contractors choose all-in-one testers because they are more economical in terms of initial cost, storage space and the on-going cost of calibration. To support their MFT contractors will usually have a volt finder and an electrician’s multimeter, both of which are relatively inexpensive products. Single function testers tend to be bought by larger organisations that have a number of workers in the field, all of whom could be testing at the same time.
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU BUY A TESTER?
Three-phase safe: You want a tester that protects itself and even more important protects you when you make one of those little mistakes we all make from time to time, like connecting it across the phases. Some testers are three-phase safe and generally the manufacturers make this clear. Many are not, however, and if you connect them across the phases, they’re likely to make a nasty muffled bang as they expire. Be sure to check that the tester you buy is three-phase safe on all the ranges, especially the sensitive ones like continuity.
Non-trip loop testing: Being able to do earth loop impedance testing without tripping RCDs and 6 A MCBs is a must. Most testers have a low-current non-trip three-wire loop test, which is good for most applications, but it’s now also possible to get MFTs that do a two-wire nontrip test as well. This is very useful for testing where there’s no neutral available, such as at a light switch.
Make sure your new tester starts the loop test automatically as soon as the probes are on the test piece so that, once again, you don’t have to grope for the test button. It’s also worth choosing a tester that has a high current loop test function for use on circuits that aren’t RCD protected, as high-current testing is a lot faster than low-current testing.
Auto RCD: Unless you are desperate for an excuse to get lots of exercise, choose an RCD tester that does automation RCD testing. As you know, there are five tests you need to do on an RCD: ½I, I at 0º and 180º, and 5I at 0º and 180º. With Auto RCD testing all you do is plug the tester in and set the test running, go down to the RCD, reset it four times when it trips, then return to the tester to collect your results. If you don’t have auto RCD testing, you have to make four trips to the RCD, which is annoying and also wastes your valuable time.
A FINAL WORD OF ADVICE
There’s one key piece of advice you should always bear in mind when you’re buying a tester, and that’s to choose one that’s intrinsically easy to use. That basic simplicity will make it much more likely that you and your tester will have a long and profitable life together. results. If you don’t have auto RCD testing, you have to make four trips to the RCD, which is annoying and also wastes your valuable time.
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About Megger CertSuite™ Cloud based certification for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, smartphones and tablets. About Megger CertSuite™About Megger CertSuite™About Megger CertSuite™ Cloud based certification for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, smartphones and tablets.Cloud based certification for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, smartphones and tablets.Cloud based certification for PC, Mac, Android, iOS, smartphones and tablets.
■ Fully supports Amendments 1 and 2 ■ Use on as many devices as you want
PC, Mac, Android, iOS ■ Cloud-based syncs across your devices and between users ■ Works really well offline (no Internet connection) then automatically syncs up when you come back online ■ Wide range of certificates including MEW, EIC, EICR, EV, Fire alarm, Emergency lighting,
PV, etc. ■ Dedicated EV certificates or you can include an EV Charging Point in an EIC or EICR. ■ Add photos to illustrate your observations whether they’re problems, limitations or something done really well ■ Quick and easy if you’re working single-handed ■ Great features for larger companies
Multi-user, work flow, groups, imports
■ Fully supports Amendments 1 and 2 ■ Certificates: ■ Use on as many devices as you want ■ Electrical certificates
PC, Mac, Android, iOS ■ Fire detection certificates ■ Cloud-based ■ Emergency lighting certificates syncs across your devices and between users ■ PV certification ■ Works really well offline (no Internet connection) ■ EV certification then automatically syncs up when you come back online ■ Reports ■ Wide range of certificates ■ Distribution schedules including MEW, EIC, EICR, EV, Fire alarm, Emergency lighting,
PV, etc.
iOS
■ Dedicated EV certificates or you can include an EV Charging Point in an EIC or EICR. ■ Add photos to illustrate your observations whether they’re problems, limitations or something done really well ■ Quick and easy if you’re working single-handed ■ Great features for larger companies
Multi-user, work flow, groups, imports
■ Fully supports Amendments 1 and 2 ■ Use on as many devices as you want ■ Certificates: ■ Electrical certificates PC, Mac, Android, iOS ■ Fire detection certificates ■ Cloud-based ■ Emergency lighting certificates syncs across your devices and between users ■ PV certification ■ EV certification ■ Works really well offline (no Internet connection) ■ Reports then automatically syncs up when you come back online ■ Distribution schedules ■ Wide range of certificates including MEW, EIC, EICR, EV, Fire alarm, Emergency lighting, iOS PV, etc. ■ Dedicated EV certificates Fully supports Amendments 1 and 2 or you can include an EV Charging Point in an EIC or EICR. Use on as many devices as you want PC, Mac, Android, iOS ■ Add photos to illustrate your observations Cloud-based whether they’re problems, limitations or something done really well syncs across your devices and between users Works really well offline (no Internet connection) ■ Quick and easy if you’re working single-handed then automatically syncs up when you come back online ■ Great features for larger companies Wide range of certificates Multi-user, work flow, groups, imports including MEW, EIC, EICR, EV, Fire alarm, Emergency lighting, PV, etc. ■ Dedicated EV certificates or you can include an EV Charging Point in an EIC or EICR. ■ Add photos to illustrate your observations whether they’re problems, limitations or something done really well ■ Quick and easy if you’re working single-handed ■ Great features for larger companies Multi-user, work flow, groups, imports ■ Certificates: ■ Electrical certificates ■ Fire detection certificates ■ Emergency lighting certificates ■ PV certification ■ EV certification ■ Reports ■ Distribution schedules
iOS
MEGGER MFT-X1: A NEW GENERATION
With it’s outstanding versatility and time-saving features, the new Megger MFT-X platform is set to transform the market for multifunction installation testers (MFTs).
INNOVATIVE FEATURES
Among its numerous innovative features are True Loop™ impedance testing with patented Confidence Meter™ technology, user-configurable automated RCD testing, full CertSuite™ certification software compatibility, support for EV charge point testing, and easy on-site upgrading to meet changes in test requirements or add extra functions.
FAST, ACCURATE AND DEPENDABLE
“Megger has always been a leader in the MFT market, and our existing range continues to be extremely popular,” said Peter Wade, UK LVI Sales Manager of Megger. “We’ve listened closely to feedback from our users and we’ve used this to guide the development of our new MFT-X1. As a result, we are confident that they will find the MFT-X1 a great instrument to work with, which not only delivers fast, accurate and dependable results, but will also save them a lot of time and trouble. It really does set new standards for multifunction testing.”
EARTH LOOP IMPEDANCE
True Loop™ is the most advanced earth loop impedance measurement system that Megger has ever developed. Integrating the patented Confidence Meter™ with the latest 3-wire no-trip loop testing technology, the user is now able to get fast, reliable, accurate and repeatable readings in the harshest of high-noise environments - where previously readings could not be obtained.
In addition, the technology ensures that loop values are immune to “RCD uplift” and will perform tests on circuits protected by RCDs down to 10 mA. To further save time, a new RCD configurator for auto-sequence testing, ensures only the tests required are completed. EV charge point testing remains straightforward, thanks to a dedicated test and full compatibility with the Megger EVCA charge point adaptor.
For more information about Megger, visit: www.megger.com
