NIC visit, checking testers regularly...

[robd]

Had our annual visit from the NIC t'other day, also am becoming the new qualified supervisor for the firm so was my first involvement in one. Anyway one of the boxes for the inspector to tick was Evidence of ongoing accuracy of test instruments, so I cheerily got the calibration certs out for all the testers, only to be told ''yes that's your annual one's, where's your monthly ones''. Oh.

Anyway now I know, so was just wondering how other guys do theirs, basically they want all the main functions on a multifunction tester checking, on a regular basis to make sure they're giving consistant readings, either by having a regular socket etc to do tests on or by another means.

The inspector mentioned to me about getting a 1/2 ohm resistor for continuity and a 1 M ohm resistor for insulation resistance. Anyone else do it like this? Want to get this set up so would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks,rob

 

[mogga]

dead easy Get yourself a Check box and a spreaadsheet with the results monthly

I suggested same to my gaffer who asked " But how do you know your check box is accurate do you get a check box check box for your check box??" ours are callibrated anually not heard any different

 

[Dayo]

yes my nic inspector told me to do the same get some various resistors from maplin, i test the same socket in my house / office once a month i have also got one of those test boxes just mix it up a bit. he also told me to cross check with my mates meters a few times a year. i have it calibrated in the wholesalers once a year too. only thing is it has never gone faulty or out of calibration > 5 years now

 

[Johnny-G]

I have one of these - TestCal CalCard — Calibration Resistance Checkbox - and record results monthly.

 

[robd]

Cheers for comments, just got a checkbox, was cheaper than the card! Hope it's not a duff. Will have to set up a socket for RCD and Ze, will please my girlfriend greatly when I'm out tripping the garage once a month!

 

[mogga]

company I worked with had 1 ord single socket and 1g rcd socket at DB with times and Zs PFC marked on them for testing meters Qualifier had list of results for every meter on a spreadsheet I wondered what that was URIKKA now I know lol DAFFTY me

 

[Phil]

Cheers for comments, just got a checkbox, was cheaper than the card! Hope it's not a duff. Will have to set up a socket for RCD and Ze, will please my girlfriend greatly when I'm out tripping the garage once a month!

if you have a spare way on the non rcd side pop an rcd socket on and it will save the gf getting unhappy and having to re-set all those clocks

 

[brucelee]

to check Zs if the socket has rcd protection how does this check the high loop setting without tripping the rcd before test is complete

 

[riotmaster]

I have had the same problem, so I was going to install a radial with two sockets on, protected by a 20A MCB and one of the sockets an RCD socket. I label the non-protected socket up "test socket only, skilled or supervised persons" etc... (you could leave the circuit isolated if your worried) and then use the two sockets for your tests. That will get you round the RCD tripping on ELI tests...

or you could just buy a new tester which has a setting for testing ELI through an RCD, as I presume every time you're testing a ring you must have the same problem?

Either way, the NICEIC will be satisfied with your monthly checks, he just asked us which socket we use for our tests and went from there... we also use a "Socket-&-See" for known resistances etc.

 

[Amp David]

I have the Calcard for Ins res and resistance and use the garage CU for Hi loop test and the socket in there for No trip test