Only as good as our meters

[highspark]

Went to small job today. Fitting cooker to existing cooker point.

Before any connection
Done zs on circuit - tripped RCD.

Done rcd test no trip at 1x no trip at 5 x. This was on socket circuit aswell as cooker circuit.

Done ramp test. Ramped out at 33mA

Said cant install it. Circuit has failed.

Spoke to landlord. He said he'll send one of his sparks out. Got a phone call from other spark - nothing wrong with it.

Went back round to show him readings. He had dis board cover off and cooker socket case.Done exact same tests and everything was ok??????

What the hell went on there??

My meter is 6months inside calibration and was getting correct readings second time round. No trip on Zs all in tolerance on RCD tests.

Whats do you make of it?

 

[Silly Sausage]

Where did you do the 1x 5x and ramp tests?

 

[highspark]

Exactly the same place as second time round. On cooker circuit socket outlet.

Kitchen socket circuit.

Down Socket circuit.

Alll no trip on first visit.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Ah, I missed that you retested.
Hell knows, wonder if spark 2 had done something with the ccts he didn't tell you about?

edit...

Should really test at the device itself with all loads off.

 

[ses]

Did you manually trip the rcd
I had similar and the rcd trips after manually tripping it a few times

 

[highspark]

Honestly cant put my finger on it. Other lad must have done something. He seemed go be a good enough spark. Vv strange

 

[Farmelectrics]

your at it haha dont no strange one

 

[Silly Sausage]

Good point ses, I've seen that, get much quicker readings after you trip them a couple of times.

 

[Farmelectrics]

do you check your meter with call card

 

[highspark]

do you check your meter with call card

No shouldnt have to. Its in calibration and has been getting correct results everywhere else. Even tested it at the other job im on - all fine.

Definately a vv strange one.

 

[dim_bulb]

I would replace the batteries and let the next calibration man aware, my tester sometimes plays up.
do think the landlord thinks you're trying to stitch him up

 

[Farmelectrics]

youd like to think other sparks wouldnt pull tricks on there fellow tradesmen strangeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[highspark]

Landlord possibly does think that. But as I said to him get a third party in to test it. That way you will know.

As title says we're only as good as our machines.

 

[Chr!s]

Probably to do with a load which may of been on when testing first time around. Noise, leakage current all effect the operation of your meter.

 

[Sintra]

Could be cold meter syndrome as I call it. Always used to get dodgy readings first thing in the morning (especially this time of year) when the meter was cold from being left in the boot all night. Remedy is to let it travel with you in the passenger footwell till you get to first job.