ideal installation tester

[markwild]

Hi everyone i am nearly newly qualified and i am thinking about buying my first tester and was just wandering if anyone has had any experience with the ideal brand as these are the most affordable or if anyone has other recommendations this would also be good
thank you

 

[Specialist]

It comes down to individual preference mate I have a Metrel MFT and swear by it other people on here wouldn't go past their Meggers, a mate of mine has Robin seperates. Theres good and bad in all I guess

Nothing wrong with the Metrel MFT, nice easy to use bit of kit. Well till my apprentice dropped it from a ladder that is.

 

[Specialist]

Metrix 4900....ex MOD, RAF i think....does all the tests you need plus the extras such as clamp (in A and mA)....earth testing...etc......that was ebay for £50..so there are bargains out there........

Nice bargain mate:cool4:

 

[Engineer54]

In your situation, where this is going to be your first bit of major test kit, you go for the very best that you can ''Afford'' Your test kit is going to be your bread and butter, you (and any electrician) will not be able to function in this industry without decent and reliable test equipment. So if needs must, go a little over what you planned to pay, but NOT to the point where it's going to cause a problem for you.

As been stated there are bargains to be had on eBay, but there are also duffers. So if you decide to go that route, ask as many questions of the seller as you need. Any reluctance to answer should be seen as a red flag. Maybe PM some of the buyers of eBay stuff here and see how they go about things when purchasing from such sites!!

 

[Marvo]

I think the problem with some of the new high-end test equipment is that it's too sensitive and the user often has problems interpreting the test results. I've seen a lot of threads where guys are trying to trace a 40MOhm IR 'fault' that they can see on their tester because an RCD is tripping occasionally.

I still have my Megger that I got during my apprenticeship. It's analogue with a winding handle and it still has its original leather case. It's also still capable of finding any IR problem on the equipment that comes through our workshop.

I would suggest making a list of what you need from your tester and spend as much as you need to buy a reliable unit that fits the bill.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I think the problem with some of the new high-end test equipment is that it's too sensitive and the user often has problems interpreting the test results. I've seen a lot of threads where guys are trying to trace a 40MOhm IR 'fault' that they can see on their tester because an RCD is tripping occasionally.

I still have my Megger that I got during my apprenticeship. It's analogue with a winding handle and it still has its original leather case. It's also still capable of finding any IR problem on the equipment that comes through our workshop.

I would suggest making a list of what you need from your tester and spend as much as you need to buy a reliable unit that fits the bill.

well thats not knowing how to test then isn`t it?.....I mean 40 MEG....come on......

 

[Engineer54]

well thats not knowing how to test then isn`t it?.....I mean 40 MEG....come on......

Generally called, ....5/7 Week Wonders!! lol!!

 

[Rockingit]

I think the problem with some of the new high-end test equipment is that it's too sensitive and the user often has problems interpreting the test results.

Something about how buying a Ferrari doesn't make you Sterling Moss, I believe.

But you're right about the scales that some of the MFT's offer - my Metrel does IR to >1000 MOhms (though I don't for one moment think it's accurate that high) and you kind of get used to seeing it on brand new cable, so when you find 'low' readings it's an easy trap to fall in to. At least the Meggers only get to 200 before topping out, not sure about others.

 

[daiplayer]

ive got a metrel 61557, deos all the tests needed and more, easy to use, never faulted ! , ok so ihaven had much experience in the use of others, but this one havent let me down yet, and 3 of my mates have recently picked one up for under £100 !!! so cant be bad,

 

[supasparxs]

I use a fluke 1652,

 

[Robo1401]

For just over 600, I picked up the Megger MFT1720 and cant fault it, it can perform all the tests required including auto RCD ramp phase rotation etc, only down side is it doesnt have the bluetooth function...but hey id never use it anyway....