Anyone got a Metrel tester or used one?

[RJT_94]

I've been looking at testers today and was told about the Metrel gear on here. Quite taken by the amount of punch they seem to pack forwhat you pay, been looking at the MI3000 an MI3100 the only difference between them is the 3100 has a remote test probe and will test type B RCDs on pv installations. They are quite cheap hence why am asking if anyone has used them and could tell me what they think, cheap and cheerful or a serious competitive bit of kit? If I do go for one it will probably be the MI3100 so i won’t look quite the plumb with the lovely blue and yellow colour scheme of the MI3000.

 

[DNS1]

I've got the MI3000 and I'm very happy with it.

I've written a review of it somewhere on here, take a look...

I agree the colour scheme isn't great, the MI3100 certainly looks better!

EDIT: My review of the MI3000
http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...cts/57311-metrel-mi3000-easi-plus-tester.html

 

[RJT_94]

Cheers DNS1 just had a look at your review. Why oh why they chose to give it the finish they did i will never know they could have certenly made it look more exspensive just leaving it grey. How long have you had yours now?

 

[Taylortwocities]

I have a Metrel EuroTest Easi. It works just fine for normal domestic use. My only criticism/problem is that after a couple of years on dusty sites the contacts of the select switch got unreliable and it had to go back to them for repair - well it was time for calibration in any case!

Otherwise its been fine. EFLI figures on no trip RCD option are out by half an ohm but i believe this is common issue with many no-trip testers.

Mine came with the Tip Commander (remote test probe) but i have honestly only used that twice. Its only of use if you have a big board and a lot of same tests to do.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

You can see my comments on MI3000 in thread link from DNS1 above. The MI3100 is an equally good MFT, but the extra cost is only justified if your are going to be testing type B RCDs on PV installations regularly. If your not doing PV, I would save money and get a MI3000 and if you ask the good people at our forum sponsors Test-meter nicely they may be able to provide a Tip Commander Remote Control Probe in place of the bundled voltage tester or at a modest additional cost as a deal clincher.
I don't understand the mickey taking regarding the MI3000 colour scheme. After all most of the major power and hand tool manufacturers use garish colour schemes to distinguish their brand, and most tradesmen are more than happy touting their wares about without comment (the exception is probably the Makita girly pink or white ranges). The yellow/black scheme of Dewalt and Stanley, the red/yellow schemes of various VDE tool manufacturers, the fluorescent green schemes of Ryobi, Hitachi and Works, the sky blue/orange and green/black of Makita and the orange of AEG and Paslode hardly raise an eyebrow on site these days.

 

[timbobelfast]

I also own a MI3000. It's a good meter and does everything you need for hoose bashing. Colour scheme is abit lame but apart from that the functions are second to none.
it does everything my Fluke 1653B does apart from the Fall of potential for earth/ground rods.

 

[RJT_94]

Cheers guys I think i will be getting a metrel then as it just seems packed with functions and no one has had anything bad to say about it. If it does what is needed and is reliable then its good enough for me, just need to save up now!

 

[Rockingit]

Once you've had it out of the box a few times and got some use out of it, it'll change colour anyway! Mine takes a kicking and keeps a-ticking, no complaints here. Good value for money kit. The only critiscm is that they try to measure IR values up to 1000M which is just ridiculous for most applications, and writing >1000 on the test forms is a squeeze!

 

[ExArmy]

don't get a MI3125, you need 3 arms to operate it. in my opinion you have to be able to hang a meter round your neck and have 2 hands on the probes

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

the only difference between them is the 3100 has a remote test probe and will test type B RCDs on pv installations

Hi RJT,

Indeed the MI3100 does come with a 2 wire tip commander probe which allows you to conduct an insulation resistance or continuity test by pressing the button on the test probe. But be careful, as the MI3100 won't test type 'B' DC Current RCD's. There aren't too many MFT's on the market that will test this type of RCD, however if you have a look at the comparison chart, the two testers within the Metrel range that will test the type B RCD are the Metrel MI3125B (Combo Pro), and the Metrel MI3101 Eurotest AT. The MI3101 Eurotest AT has only recently had this functionality added, and as such I need to update the comparison chart to reflect this.

If you're still interested in the Metrel MI3100, it also has schematic help screens for each test and also a loop test evaluation feature which can be fairly handy. These two functions, as well as the supply of the tip commander probe are the 3 main differences between the Metrel MI3000 and the Metrel MI3100 (other than colour). If you'd like any more support or advice, please feel free to call on 0113 248 99 66

 

[RJT_94]

Thanks Test Meter i realised after posting about the testing of b type dc mcbs that i had read your chart wrong and was compairing a diffrent meter. I will be buying the metrel MI3100 from you when i can afford to.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Thanks very much, don't forget we can offer you a 5% discount if you enter 'ELECFORUM' into the checkout stage of our website.

 

[ed-ectrician]

The only critiscm is that they try to measure IR values up to 1000M which is just ridiculous for most applications, and writing >1000 on the test forms is a squeeze!

NICEIC say anything above 200 M ohms is a perfect circuit so I just write >200 (or >299 if you want to fool everyone into thinking you've got a nice old megger 1552!)

 

[ed-ectrician]

I have the metrel MI300 and the only gripe I have is that with the megger 1552 it tests continuity and EFLI automatically but with metrel you have to press test button. This is easier said than done when you are trying to hold 3 probes to a pain in the arse light fitting for the no trip setting and it takes about 10 seconds to get a reading! But for me, the saving of 3-400 quid on getting this instead of megger 1720 is a no brainer. 3 yrs warranty, 5% off and free GS38 voltage detector from test-meter.co.uk - do it mate!

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Interesting, or possibly write >1GΩ on your certificate?