GS38 Compliant voltage indicator recomendations.

r.ali · Sep 24, 2018

Hi all,

Level 3 student here looking to purchase a GS38 complaint voltage indicator and could do with your recommendations please.

I need a voltage indicator for safe isolation that is GS38 compliant so it can be used for safe isolation procedure and used on NICEIC competent person assessment etc.

Looking for something compliant, reliable and durable with continuity testing too that wont break the bank.

I've had a look at some Flukes but my understanding is that these are not GS38 compliant straight outa the box unless probe tips are purchased for them, also am I correct in thinking that the Flukes will also trip the RCD unless a specific testing procedure is followed? For these reasons I have counted out the Fluke but please correct me if I am wrong.

I'm looking at purchasing the Martindale VT28, which on paper so far looks to fit the bill and at £54 suits my budget. For the money seems like decent feature set. The features are as follows:

4 digit LCD display
Voltage Range: 12 - 690V AC / DC
LED Indication: +/- 12, 24, 50, 120, 230, 400, 690V
Single Pole Phase Test: 90 - 6390V
Phase Rotation Test: 100 - 690V
Continuity Range: 0 - 500kΩ
GS38 Caps: Removable
Standards & Regulations: BS EN61243-3 2010
Overvoltage Category: CAT IV 600V, CAT III 690V
Cable Length: 1.2m
IP Protection: 64
Auto Power Off
Torch Light: White LED
Power Supply: 1.5V AAA x 2
Dimensions: 258 x 73 x 23mm
Weight: 180g (with batteries)

Can anyone vouch for this tester, any reviews, advantages / disadvantages or anything else to watch out for?

All suggestions and general advice as-well as other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance all.

Wilko · Sep 24, 2018

Hi RA - it's good to get one you're confident with. I've been using KT1790 the last few years and I'm still here. It's got a dinky light and a voltmeter built in (looky there - it's 247V, good thing I didn't touch it, ha ha). Paid an extra £20 for that

Kewtech KT1790 Voltage Detector - https://www.test-meter.co.uk/kewtech-kt1790-voltage-tester/

[ElectriciansForums.net] GS38 Compliant voltage indicator recomendations.

Grant webber · Sep 24, 2018

Megger TPT 320 had mine for years now been through the wars and never missed a beat

Pete999 · Sep 24, 2018

r.ali said:
Hi all,

Level 3 student here looking to purchase a GS38 complaint voltage indicator and could do with your recommendations please.

I need a voltage indicator for safe isolation that is GS38 compliant so it can be used for safe isolation procedure and used on NICEIC competent person assessment etc.

Looking for something compliant, reliable and durable with continuity testing too that wont break the bank.

I've had a look at some Flukes but my understanding is that these are not GS38 compliant straight outa the box unless probe tips are purchased for them, also am I correct in thinking that the Flukes will also trip the RCD unless a specific testing procedure is followed? For these reasons I have counted out the Fluke but please correct me if I am wrong.

I'm looking at purchasing the Martindale VT28, which on paper so far looks to fit the bill and at £54 suits my budget. For the money seems like decent feature set. The features are as follows:

4 digit LCD display

Voltage Range: 12 - 690V AC / DC

LED Indication: +/- 12, 24, 50, 120, 230, 400, 690V

Single Pole Phase Test: 90 - 6390V

Phase Rotation Test: 100 - 690V

Continuity Range: 0 - 500kΩ

GS38 Caps: Removable

Standards & Regulations: BS EN61243-3 2010

Overvoltage Category: CAT IV 600V, CAT III 690V

Cable Length: 1.2m

IP Protection: 64

Auto Power Off

Torch Light: White LED

Power Supply: 1.5V AAA x 2

Dimensions: 258 x 73 x 23mm

Weight: 180g (with batteries)

Can anyone vouch for this tester, any reviews, advantages / disadvantages or anything else to watch out for?

All suggestions and general advice as-well as other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance all.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DRUMMOND-M...537791802&sr=8-3&keywords=drummond+test+lamps
Plus a proving unit of course

Midwest · Sep 24, 2018

I bought a Fluke T110, thats GS38 compliant tester, the tips are in the module that stops you stabbing yourself (must fit them one of these days). Its about £50 now days.

I also bought a Fluke case to keep nice & safe in.

I did have a Di-Log before that, but it only lasted a few years, before the leads became detached from the body. Whatever one you get, make sure that bit is quite robust, as it seems one of the achilles heal for all these testers.

SparkyChick · Sep 24, 2018

r.ali said:
I've had a look at some Flukes but my understanding is that these are not GS38 compliant straight outa the box unless probe tips are purchased for them, also am I correct in thinking that the Flukes will also trip the RCD unless a specific testing procedure is followed? For these reasons I have counted out the Fluke but please correct me if I am wrong.

You are wrong

I have a Fluke T150... it is GS38 compliant as it comes with probe shrouds that can be removed (like the Martindale). It can trip RCDs, when I want it to... by probing between line and earth and pressing a button on each probe that drops it's impedance such that around 30mA will flow through it.

It's not exactly been mistreated, but it's been dropped several times, walked on and used quite alot and it's all good. Over 2 years old.

Would I buy another one? Absolutely.

haptism · Sep 24, 2018

Midwest said:
I bought a Fluke T110, thats GS38 compliant tester, the tips are in the module that stops you stabbing yourself (must fit them one of these days). Its about £50 now days.

I also bought a Fluke case to keep nice & safe in.

I did have a Di-Log before that, but it only lasted a few years, before the leads became detached from the body. Whatever one you get, make sure that bit is quite robust, as it seems one of the achilles heal for all these testers.

Midwest, does the T110 trip rcd's, I know some of them do. Im after a tester also

oracle · Sep 24, 2018

Voltage indicators have one job, indicating voltage The standard for 2 pole voltage indicators is BS EN 61243-3:2010 and came in force May 2013.

In June 2015 a revised edition of Guidance note GS38 was published which requires voltage indicators to be built to this standard. Edition 4 of GS38 also includes advice on how to use proper selection and maintenance of test equipment.

Whatever you buy, make sure it meets this standard

Midwest · Sep 24, 2018

haptism said:
Midwest, does the T110 trip rcd's, I know some of them do. Im after a tester also

I've used it for over two years now, its never tripped an RCD yet. I believe there is a function to test RCD's, perhaps there's some confusion there. Have a read of the manual;
http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/pa_1424110.pdf

Andy78 · Sep 24, 2018

I have a T110. The RCD trip function has never worked. Now neither does the continuity or self test functions. There are recognised problems with the T series from Fluke. Steer clear.

Pete999 · Sep 24, 2018

Andy78 said:
I have a T110. The RCD trip function has never worked. Now neither does the continuity or self test functions. There are recognised problems with the T series from Fluke. Steer clear.

The thing I don't understand, is why would anyone want to buy a voltage indicator that does all you need one for is to measure if there is a voltage present or not, RCD function, why? when you have a function on your MFT for that purpose, continuity, why when your low resistance ohm meter does that as well, just saying, awaiting a backlash from members, who revel in these testers.

telectrix · Sep 24, 2018

Absolutely. . one of these will comply. i have one myself.

oracle · Sep 24, 2018

Hey Pete! Here's my cheap, cheerful rugged, British made voltage indicator. Batteries neither included nor required. It does what it says. Detects voltage.

SparkyChick · Sep 24, 2018

Pete999 said:
The thing I don't understand, is why would anyone want to buy a voltage indicator that does all you need one for is to measure if there is a voltage present or not, RCD function, why? when you have a function on your MFT for that purpose, continuity, why when your low resistance ohm meter does that as well, just saying, awaiting a backlash from members, who revel in these testers.

RCD function... in a board that isn't marked up, you can check for voltage, trip the board, check again and then go and lock off... all without moving

It's a limited test function in that all it does is attempts to trip and RCD with a 30mA current. This function can also serve you when suddenly you get a voltage present you weren't expecting... say 50v neutral-earth.... you can apply the low impedance mode... if the voltage disappears it's a good chance it's a phantom voltage from inductive/capacitive coupling.

Continuity is useful for buzzing out circuits and testing fuses, bulbs, operation of switches etc. without the need to break out the big guns.

The other functions are useful as well, like voltage indication and phase rotation.

It's no replacement for an MFT (or separate dedicated instruments) but it can be a useful piece of kit for fault finding.

Pete999 · Sep 24, 2018

telectrix said:
Absolutely. . one of these will comply. i have one myself.

Bugger Tel were on earth did you get that jobby ? I still have my intrinsically safe one, and no it aint for sale.

GS38 Compliant voltage indicator recomendations.

r.ali

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Wilko

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Grant webber

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Pete999

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Midwest

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SparkyChick

haptism

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oracle

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Midwest

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Andy78

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Pete999

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telectrix

-

oracle

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SparkyChick

Pete999

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