Decent multifunctional tester

[LukeD]

Kewtech 63 . Find a good one thats calibrated and in good order .They are really small and easy to carry . I might sell mine soon..

 

[Dustydazzler]

I use a megger 1721, I've also used a 1725. I don't particularly like the design of the leads, this is supplied by my company so I have no choice but it's a good bit of test kit..

Im waiting for one of the MFT manufacturers to bring out wireless leads

 

[LukeD]

Im waiting for one of the MFT manufacturers to bring out wireless leads

As used by the EICR "testers " on mopeds !

 

[oracle]

You can buy a perfectly functional MFT from Seaward. British made 1557 MFT for £300 brand new. This will carry you through all your training and give you something in your toolbox when you begin working

 

[shocksl]

You can buy a perfectly functional MFT from Seaward. British made 1557 MFT for £300 brand new. This will carry you through all your training and give you something in your toolbox when you begin working

Thanks Have you got a link to it mate ??

 

[shocksl]

If you're still on level 2 ten you shouldn't need to worry about a tester for a while yet, the electrician you are training with should have all the test equipment you need until you are at least fully qualified.

As for EICRs you are a good few years experience away from being able to do that properly.

I just want one to play around with just to enhance my learning tbh

 

[oracle]

Seaward Powertest 1557

Ideally suited to domestic engineers

instrotech.com

 

[neon1991]

Id have a look on ebay. I use a Kewtech. I picked up a KT63 years ago, then swapped up for the KT63DL when I needed the different rcd types. Now i need to swap up again to do EV charging tests.

 

[Vortigern]

Having used the seaward, it is good and does what you need a MFT to do but, it keeps over heating and you have to wait for it to cool.

 

[Vortigern]

Dilog 9110 has all the tests you need for domestic.£499 brand new. The dial on it is not very positive, feels loose though. Although it does switch, when you have been used to Kewtech it feels a bit cheap. British made though :)
The Kewtech, on the other hand has a very firm and positive switching. Personally I always use Kewtech as all tests are accessed through the dial. There is some switching/choice on various tests such as type of RCD. Megger and Fluke have menus and submenus. I find having to go through and drill down into functions time consuming and potentially confusing. I like to keep things simple. You can get all the six RCD test displayed on the kt64 upward at one time. On all the other MFT you again have to cycle through the results also time consuming and prone to operator error at times. You won't get more straightforward then Kewtech mfts'
I don't think you NEED it calibrated for now as you say you just want to experiment and find your way around testing. Although it has been said earlier the Electrician will have a tester..... People who have worked for me learning have often said how they are never allowed to do testing. It appears sparks can be pretty mean on learners not letting them anywhere near their precious tester! I feel that is a pretty stupid policy as you need the apprentice to get hands on (supervised) experience. After all they will be worth more as an assistant if they can be taught to do the testing.
I find often that while newbies have their level 3 T&I, they often fumble with testing even though they already "know" it. Often they cannot interpret results that do not fall within the test rigs they learnt on. I mean for instance when they do a Zs and it is 1.57 for an RFC, what now?!!! What do you do?

 

[timhoward]

And that’s the thing. It’s horses for courses.

Following the sales pitch above for Kewtech, which I don’t disagree with, here is my counter pitch;
For ease of use and price IMHO you can’t beat a megger 15xx. Plug two leads in and leave them there. All tests on one dial. RCD selection on other dial. No menus, sub menus, function keys. Instant continuity tests. Run IR tests as long as you want.
They are incredibly robust and the batteries last forever. I genuinely believe it’s the simplest and easiest to use MFT there has ever been and probably ever will be.

(I agree that Kewtech testers are very easy to understand and use, and also a decent choice. I used to have one and passed my 2391 with one.)

 

[pc1966]

The DiLOG ones are very good value, and British as well. I find mine a touch slow compared to my Megger stand-alone IR/continuity (low-R) tester, but don't have the experience to compare with other brands of MFT.

Recently we acquired a Megger ground resistance meter for any earth rod or similar work, but until now for sites with power I just did a high current Zs on the rod to find the Ra value. Works if power there, not good for early stages without AC power or high accuracy (a moot point considering how rain impacts on rod Ra), but ultimately not such a common thing for UK domestic work.

 

[LukeD]

Its not a bad buy . very very compact . Ive used their PAT tester which is the same size and it was fine .basic but did the Job . BUt ...A KT63 from Kewtech thats been looked after for £240 ish and calibrated would be a better bet ??

 

[timhoward]

This one looks a good bet:
Just calibrated and passed, and looks in great condition.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Mike Johnson]

That e-bay Megger is very funnily worded, it does not say it's the one pictured, but "exactly as pictured" be wary of that description and ask it the unit pictured is of the item for sale.