Robin psc-loop tester

[Mfctitch]

Evening everyone
Have got hold of an robin kmp4120DL loop tester and need some advise.which has a three lead
When trying to carry out a PSCC test the manual says put the green lead on the neutral. but if I do put it on the neutral bar then put the probes on the incoming phase and neutral I just get a "HI" reading.
The only way to get a proper reading is to turn the main switch on which of course you are not supposed to do with the main cover off.

So I have two questions:
First what stupid thing am i doing wrong.

Second does any one know of any videos on the use of this and any of the other robin test meters.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Geoffsd]

I initially said this is how I do it on my Fluke. As it has ROBIN on it as well I thought it may be the same.

Robin is Kewtech or vias versa, I didnt have the manual for my robin and after a bit of geeking up i found kewtech is the same.
The Green lead ALWAYS goes in the earth bar! If your doing PFC surely you should have Earth lead to earth bar and both the others to Line?

Yes for PFC i.e. Uo/Ze.

You only put the "Spare" lead on so its not dangling around live while your doing the test

Why would you have a spare lead?

When doing PSCC you only put the earth lead on the earth bar so its not dangling around like the test before(not that it would be live)

This would be exactly the same.
I think we are confused because if your meter specifically has a PSCC setting you are probably correct.
However, for a meter that does not have this facility you have to 'fool' it into thinking it is doing a Ze test through the Neutral conductor by connecting both N & E leads to N i.e. Uo/Zn which will give you the PSCC.

 

[Mfctitch]

Thanks everyone for your input but I'm still lost?

So just in case I'm confusing everyone ill describe how I carry out the three tests with my machine.

So to start with the machine is a robin KMP 4120DL PSC-Loop tester.

To carry out the ZE test
turn the knob on the machine to 20 ohms on the loop side.
disconnect the main earth
attach the green clip to the main earth
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes
get the reading.

re-attach the main earth
leave the main switch off

To get the PFC Reading
turn the knob to the PSC side of the machine and to the 20 Ka reading.
attach the green lead to the earth bar
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes
get the reading.

To get the PSCC reading
Turn the knob to the PSC side of the machine and to the 20 Ka reading.
attach the green lead to the neutral bar.
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes

This is where my problems start
With the main switch off I of course get a "Hi" reading on the meter.
If I turn the main switch on (which you should not do) I get a reading.
If I don't attach the green lead I get a do not proceed warning light.
And as I can not "piggy back" my clips I'm lost as to how I carry out the test with this set up.

I hope that this explanation has helped and not muddied the waters

 

[Guest123]

Thanks everyone for your input but I'm still lost?

So just in case I'm confusing everyone ill describe how I carry out the three tests with my machine.

So to start with the machine is a robin KMP 4120DL PSC-Loop tester.

To carry out the ZE test
turn the knob on the machine to 20 ohms on the loop side.
disconnect the main earth
attach the green clip to the main earth
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes
get the reading.

re-attach the main earth
leave the main switch off

To get the PFC Reading This is the PEFC reading, PFC is the highest of the PEFC and the PSCC readings.
turn the knob to the PSC side of the machine and to the 20 Ka reading.
attach the green lead to the earth bar
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes
get the reading.

To get the PSCC reading
Turn the knob to the PSC side of the machine and to the 20 Ka reading.
attach the green lead to the neutral bar. With the main switch open, the neutral bar may be isolated from the neutral supply depending on main switch number of poles.
push the probes into the incoming phase and neutral screw holes

This is where my problems start
With the main switch off I of course get a "Hi" reading on the meter.
If I turn the main switch on (which you should not do) I get a reading.
If I don't attach the green lead I get a do not proceed warning light.
And as I can not "piggy back" my clips I'm lost as to how I carry out the test with this set up.

I hope that this explanation has helped and not muddied the waters

For PSCC you need to get both N&E onto the N supply terminal of your main switch.

 

[Geoffsd]

Have found instruction manual for you.

http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/0052/0900766b80052a0b.pdf

It does say for PSCC test to connect E lead to Neutral so unless Main Switch is closed (or you use different leads) it wont work.
Why are you so averse to doing this? You can open all the MCBs, RCDs etc. No different than doing Zs tests around the installation.

 

[mattmoo1974]

I initially said this is how I do it on my Fluke. As it has ROBIN on it as well I thought it may be the same.Yes for PFC i.e. Uo/Ze.
Why would you have a spare lead?
This would be exactly the same.
I think we are confused because if your meter specifically has a PSCC setting you are probably correct.
However, for a meter that does not have this facility you have to 'fool' it into thinking it is doing a Ze test through the Neutral conductor by connecting both N & E leads to N i.e. Uo/Zn which will give you the PSCC.

You ve got a "Kettel plug" lead which has the 3 leads and the 2 leads plugs in as normal.
Unless you wanna keep swapping leads over its just as easy to keep the 3 lead in and do it that way.
You have a spare lead because Ze needs the earth lead and the PSCC doesnt need that lead

 

[Geoffsd]

Sorry for the delay but I've been to Indianapolis

the PSCC doesnt need that lead.

Yes it does

Have you read the posts above?

Did you see the link to manual I posted above?

Edit - IGNORE THIS - I thought post was from OP.

 

[Mfctitch]

Morning Everyone
Sorry for late reply took the kids down to the air show yesterday

Bit more info the cu is a Niglon

To answer a few replies I'm not adverse to turning the main switch on but am under the impression that you should not have the main switch on with the cover removed.

And as Lenny has pointed out with the main switch open the neutral bar is isolated and I can not find where to place my green lead .

I'm getting a little concerned that what should be one of the first and easiest tests to do that I'm having so much trouble.

Sorry boys if I'm being awkward :-(

 

[mattmoo1974]

Main switch on all MCB's off.
Or main switch off and test on the incoming side(tails in).
Also how to do your Ze because you can pull the earth from MET.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Sorry for the delay but I've been to Indianapolis

Yes it does

Have you read the posts above?

Did you see the link to manual I posted above?

Just looked at the link for intructions, I was just sayng how it works on my meter.
Im sure he ll work it out with are help

 

[Mfctitch]

Morning mattmoo

main switch is off for all tests
and yes doing the test on the incoming side.
As for Ze I do pull the main earth from the MET.

 

[mattmoo1974]

Yes or you ll get parallel paths and the reading will be lower.

 

[Geoffsd]

I was just sayng how it works on my meter.

Sorry, I was thinking you were Mfctitch

 

[Electro-tech]

Could it be the Installation you are testing that is at fault and not the meter or user?