Buying my first tester...

Stuart27 · Jun 9, 2019

I'm coming towards the end of my level 3 training and in the market for my first MFT.. There's a ton of different brands and each brand has various products so it's all a bit confusing. Can anybody recommend a good "first" tester?

Also is it worth buying second hand? Since money is a bit tight I'm considering buying a previously owned tester.
Any advice on what to look out for when buying second hand would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks guys.

telectrix · Jun 9, 2019

buy a megger 1553 2nd hand, calibrated for under £200.

Megger MFT 1553 - 11 Months Calibration (Similar to 1552 but with Bluetooth) | eBay

Normal usage marks and scuffs are evident on the black rubber which in no way affects the operation.

www.ebay.co.uk

123 · Jun 9, 2019

telectrix said:
buy a megger 1553 2nd hand, calibrated for under £200.

Megger MFT 1553 - 11 Months Calibration (Similar to 1552 but with Bluetooth) | eBay

Normal usage marks and scuffs are evident on the black rubber which in no way affects the operation.

www.ebay.co.uk

No leads or box on that ebay sale, could easily cost £100 to get those.

123 · Jun 9, 2019

If buying 2nd hand a calibration cert would be a must for me.

Also would look for RCD Autotest, ability to test type A and S RCD's. 2 lead loop test. Phase rotation if you need it.

Stuart27 · Jun 9, 2019

telectrix said:
buy a megger 1553 2nd hand, calibrated for under £200.

Megger MFT 1553 - 11 Months Calibration (Similar to 1552 but with Bluetooth) | eBay

Normal usage marks and scuffs are evident on the black rubber which in no way affects the operation.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks for your advice telectrix.
I've also been looking at a second hand Fluke 1652, is there any notable difference between the two? All I can see is that the Megger has Bluetooth which the Fluke doesn't.

Andy78 · Jun 9, 2019

123 said:
If buying 2nd hand a calibration cert would be a must for me.

Also would look for RCD Autotest, ability to test type A and S RCD's. 2 lead loop test. Phase rotation if you need it.

Seconded. Type A RCDs will now become more commonplace and some older testers do not have that test function.

rapparee · Jun 9, 2019

Stu91 said:
Thanks for your advice telectrix.
I've also been looking at a second hand Fluke 1652, is there any notable difference between the two? All I can see is that the Megger has Bluetooth which the Fluke doesn't.

Make sure you get a fluke 1652C or 1653B

The standard 1652 doesn't do the full range of tests

The Ghost · Jun 9, 2019

What sort of work will you be doing?

eleanor jones · Jun 9, 2019

I bought Megger 1741. It needs to be calibrated and reliable. Good for the start of a career. it will be needed to test all circuits. it is expensive to start the career

Charlie_ · Jun 9, 2019

Better value for money than the latest smartphones that cost about a grand.

eleanor jones · Jun 9, 2019

Meggger cost me a grand, bu necessary equipment.

Deleted member 26818 · Jun 10, 2019

Been using a Megger 1735 and because I use my left thumb to press the test button, I often find I’m pressing the jog button instead.
Much prefer my Metrel Mi3215BT.

I also like the Metrel, because it can test B type RCDs as well as A and AC types.

rapparee · Jun 10, 2019

spinlondon said:
Been using a Megger 1735 and because I use my left thumb to press the test button, I often find I’m pressing the jog button instead.
Much prefer my Metrel Mi3215BT.

I also like the Metrel, because it can test B type RCDs as well as A and AC types.

Fluke have the test button on the actual leads

It's very handy.

Dave5678 · Jun 10, 2019

Don't let price be a deciding factor for your mft. Start with one that can do all the tests or you'll end up having to buy two mfts instead of one.

Deleted member 26818 · Jun 10, 2019

rapparee said:
Fluke have the test button on the actual leads

It's very handy.

I understand, both Megger and Metrel do a probe which incorporates a test button.
Unfortunately neither my Metrel or the Megger I’m using at work have that type of probe.

static zap · Jun 10, 2019

spinlondon said:
I understand, both Megger and Metrel do a probe which incorporates a test button.
Unfortunately neither my Metrel or the Megger I’m using at work have that type of probe.

...My Fluke has "a remote -test-" lead .. but you miss out on the User is Live ... polarity test warning !
That only surrounds the -test- button on the actual "mft"

rolyberkin · Jun 10, 2019

I like Metrel and now have their new all singing and dancing 3152 XC, however it is really far too complicated but does everything has memory etc etc.
My first tester was a Metrel Easiplus and it was a really good first tester. If you can stretch to a new tester buy one as you then know where it has been and it has been looked after.

Toneyz · Jun 22, 2019

If you are employed then the company you work for should be providing it.

rapparee · Jun 22, 2019

anthonybragg said:
If you are employed then the company you work for should be providing it.

Not necessarily.

Most tradesmen provide their own tools. The old proviso is if you quit in the morning, the tools come with you.

Charlie_ · Jun 22, 2019

And it’s all tax deductible on your personal returns

Zdb · Jun 22, 2019

Kewtech KT63 would be a good first tester

SparkyAndGeorge · Jun 22, 2019

Some may laugh but for your first tester I recommend the Di-Log 9083P. £350 on ebay and it can perform a lot, if not all, of the functions of the higher end testers which are about twice the price.

davesparks · Jun 22, 2019

rapparee said:
Not necessarily.

Most tradesmen provide their own tools. The old proviso is if you quit in the morning, the tools come with you.

When I was employed I only provided my hand tools. power tools, testers etc were all provided by the company.
But it was an old fashioned company and the only cordless tools commonly used were drills with nicad batteries.
All other power tools had to be plugged in! And with the exception of the sds they usually had to be signed out from the stores when needed and returned at the end of the job.

Deleted member 26818 · Jun 23, 2019

I would recommend Metrel as a first tester.
I’ve owned 2 now and have been quite happy with both.

As an employee, I would expect the company to provide the test equipment.
As a subby, it can be a case of either me or the company.

richy3333 · Jun 23, 2019

I’ve a spare Megger 1730 you can have for £400, posted. If you want it calibrated i’ll get it done for an extra £65. Soft carry case and set of leads. Would have to check on the hard case to see if I still have it. Was my spare unit until I bought another new tester the other week

telectrix · Jun 23, 2019

richy3333 said:
I’ve a spare Megger 1730 you can have for £400, posted. If you want it calibrated i’ll get it done for an extra £65. Soft carry case and set of leads. Would have to check on the hard case to see if I still have it. Was my spare unit until I bought another new tester the other week

can it make the tea?

richy3333 · Jun 23, 2019

That’s an apprentice job tel, and my present ones a good brew maker so I ain’t giving him up yet

rapparee · Jun 23, 2019

Drinking tea presents a bad image.

Drink bottles water, much more streamlined.

richy3333 · Jun 23, 2019

Up here if you drink water without whisky in it you’d better be able to run fast from a hiding

HappyHippyDad · Jun 23, 2019

I have owned 2 MFT's a megger 1731 and a metrel 3100. The megger is fantastic, and I would not be without it. However, I would suggest the metrel 3100 as a first buy. It is simple to use (user friendly) and not too expensive compared to other MFT's.

As for second hand, that's a risk but it could pay off. I personally think buying second hand is ok (for an MFT) but only if you have a chance to test the product first.

Lister1987 · Jun 24, 2019

I'm looking into MFTs as we'll be using them in college, looking at the various Megger 17xx series, the 1731 look to be the best fit for domestic usage and testing, it's got phase rotation iirc which would help with 3 phase etc, once I get my level 3 I'm going to edge to that - Thoughts?