loop impedance on lighting circuit

[jimmymack56]

yes,it is on,I am putting the earth lead on the cpc,and the live probe on the switch live,I will try it with all 3 probes,but I wouldn't be able to do that at a light switch would i? I would have to go to the rose,and on the video which is on you tube,by routledge textbooks they are doing it at the switch with 2 probes,which is the one i am trying to do,I am thinking the 1651 fluke isn't capable to test like that.

 

[Leesparkykent]

yes,it is on,I am putting the earth lead on the cpc,and the live probe on the switch live,I will try it with all 3 probes,but I wouldn't be able to do that at a light switch would i? I would have to go to the rose,and on the video which is on you tube,by routledge textbooks they are doing it at the switch with 2 probes,which is the one i am trying to do,I am thinking the 1651 fluke isn't capable to test like that.

I don't use a fluke but could possibly be that the tester requires you to use the 3 leads to confirm polarity.

 

[jimmymack56]

meant to say switch closed (on)

 

[frontier219]

Not used a fluke myself, but I think what a couple of people have suggested is to join the N-E probes before testing, rather than only using two, although this will depend on if the circuit is RCD protected.

 

[jimmymack56]

yes,I am trying to get used to the meter,maybe I am watching too many videos on you tube with different meters and expecting mine to do the same,a lot of those look (are) a lot newer than mine

 

[jimmymack56]

I wiil try that later and let you know if it works,thanks

 

[telectrix]

your videos probably show a megger 1700 series. these will do no trip loop tests with 2 leads. earlier megger swon't.

 

[davesparks]

Is there RCD protection on the circuit? If not then you should be using a 2wire high current loop test.
If there is an RCD on the circuit then you will have to use the alternative 3wire non-trip loop test.

 

[jimmymack56]

tried joining the E &N and it tripped the rcd,it works fine using the 3 at the rose but I don't think it can be used at the switch,at least i know now.Thanks for the help.Greatly appreciated.

 

[frontier219]

tried joining the E &N and it tripped the rcd,it works fine using the 3 at the rose but I don't think it can be used at the switch,at least i know now.Thanks for the help.Greatly appreciated.

Yeah, 2 lead no-trip tests are only available on newer models AFAIK. Can I ask what two leads you were using before hand? I think you may have been getting >2000 because you were using the 'L' and 'E' leads. If you are doing a two lead test (continuity etc.) on every tester I've ever used you have to use the 'L' and 'N' probes.

 

[brucelee]

Yes fluke requires 3 leads well the one I used on my 2391 did try at the pendent or fiting using 3 leads and think you use F3 to change settings also helps using instruction manual or watch you tube video with one thats using a fluke

 

[jimmymack56]

yes,i was using the L&E probes,I will try the L&N,I will get the hang of it
if it kills me

 

[jimmymack56]

Hi Frontier219,just tried that and it tripped the rcd,it is on its minimum setting too.If I pass the course i will invest in a later model.Thanks again.

 

[frontier219]

It will trip the RCD because your tester will nto do a 2 lead no-trip test. The point I'm making is, if you're doing continuity or IR, you will always need to use the L & N leads, no matter what you're testing.

 

[jimmymack56]

I see,thanks,I am new to testing ,been in the electrical game since i left the army 10yrs ago,and have been going to night school,would like to do a few jobs of my own but won't till i am 100% sure i know what i am doing.i have paid for an inspect and test course in june of this year,am reading Gn 3 and Osg night and day,and follow the tester at work round like a sheep,lol.I will get there eventually,i hope.

 

[frontier219]

It's worth thinking about how an RCD operates when working out why a normal 2-lead test won't work. Good luck with everything!

 

[Paul D B Elex]

you are turning the light on by the switch right? leads should be on switch line, cpc & neutral

 

[Boberto]

I've got the same tester and yes when testing Zs on a lighting circuit you do a 3 lead test from the furthest fitting on the circuit with all switches closed/on. It will work. As previously discussed there is a F1 and F3 toggle to play about with but for what you are trying to achieve you need F1 on L-PE. I forget what F3 is for now I think it toggles Re and Ik.

The Flukes are good testers. I know the Megger leccies like criticise them but I say as long as its calibrated It must be working fine whatever the make/model.

 

[stefan]

hi are you testing live when you test at the switch are the lights working if yes set your tester to high current you will only need two leads red and green look at the top of your screen on left ther are circles ooo use the leads in the corresponding holes for the leads in the test meter centre hole is earth right side live make sure you get a good connection to earth and live there will be a lightning sign on the tester to show its live switch the switch if that still does not give you a reading you have no earth continuity