seaward powerplus 1557

[frenchie01]

hi
does anyone know if this is a good tester?
thanks

 

[MarkieSparkie]

All the testers I’ve ever evaluated are like the “curate’s egg” good in parts, and the Seaward PowerPlus 1557 is no exception. It’s probably the smallest and lightest MFT currently on the market and that’s meant some compromises have been made in the design, it’s nowhere near as rugged as a Megger, Fluke or Metrel MFT for example.
However it’s biggest deficiency is it’s reliance on a ‘high’ ELFI test method at a test current of only 3Apk, this 10 times smaller than the class leader and 8 times smaller than most MFTs currently on the market. Both the Hi and Lo ELFI tests are extremely fast taking just 5s to record four parameters EFLI, PEFC, LLI and PSSC. The trouble is this extreme speed coupled with the low test current make the measurement method very vulnerable to electrical noise errors.
The best feature is the in-built PowerPlus form filling system which is joy to use, you just navigate to the result box on the form, if it’s blank an icon flashes to warn that a test is required, the operator presses the green test button and the result is captured and entered on the form. When the form is complete it can be downloaded via Bluetooth to a PC running the Seaward PowerPlus Software, where it can be edited and stored. On the PC the original form data can be displayed on provided IET, NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA type form templates. Note:- currently ELECSA templates must be created manually. So far so good, but the fun begins when you want to print out the created forms, with the Seaward and IET formats it’s just a case of printing to plain paper. The NICEIC, NAPIT and ECA template data can be printed on plain paper, but it’s just the results in their relative positions, the coloured form structure is locked and cannot be printed. This means the only way of getting the results printed with the appropriate form structure is to overprint on to the relevant schemes pro-forma test sheets, as you can imagine registration of the templates to the pro-forma sheets is fraught at best and frustratingly wasteful at times.

 

[frenchie01]

Thanks
So it doesn't print out the whole form. That's a shame. I quite liked the idea of this. I'm just getting into periodic testing for landlords along with PAT. I have a mate who is getting a fair bit of work so ruggedness is not a high priority. Which tester would you recommend?

 

[LeeRynr]

I have had the Seaward PowerPlus 1557 for just over a year now & am very pleased with it. I print my certificates onto plain paper with no problems at all but i only issue BS7671 certificates as i am not part of NIC , napit or any of the other bodies. I agree that the onboard keyboard can be a bit slow to input info but if you want a professional looking certificate it means you dont have to write it out by hand and then type it all into your pc later.

 

[DurhamSparky]

im debating on the seaward or the new megger!!

 

[grantr37]

I use the Fluke 6500 PAT tester Machine with the keypad, I have seen people with Handheld Battery PAT testers before but I think those are aimed at small run tests such as in shops selling secondhand electrical goods, or maybe small workshops doing their own power tools etc...I like the 6500 as its solid