Should I buy this Multifunction tester?

HappyHippyDad · Mar 15, 2012

Hello,

After looking around lots I have decided on Alphatek (Metrel) Easiplus MI3000

[ElectriciansForums.net] Should I buy this Multifunction tester?

I have reviewed this tester and like it. My only concern is that the seller is saying that it is an older version and has said it is '16th ed' (see pic above, this is the actuall one for sale).

I am new to electrics and will not be finishing my course for sometime but wish to buy a MFT that I can sign off work with. Once I get this one calibrated could I use this one to do that? Its just his use of the word '16th ed' that worries me.

Many thanks,

Happyhippydad..

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
Its a nifty little tester that does a few things, like Phase rotation. Test Meter may have been worth the extra (you get 5% forum discount) and when I got mine from there I got a multimeter and a breakout box free with it to. When you add in that you need yours calibrated and that you won't have the 3 year guarantee or the free goodies, the savings seem like a bit of a gamble, quite a lot of nicked stuff ends up on Ebay.

The tester can also test time delayed RCD's (not sure how general a function this is with MFT's?)

i think that most of the newer MFTs will test s type RCDs now D80......its just the ancient stuff like the old robins that wont.....

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
If I remember correctly the battery pack is AA rechargable cells, I haven't looked in the back of mine too often but pretty sure this is the case rather than it being something better. That long a charge is a little worrying, from nearly dead to full charge I get overnight on my unit which is about 2 years old now.

and this is an issue with some MFTs as well.....the use of AA batterys......my boss`s tester is a metrel and the way it drains the batterys......i used to have an old robin 1620 that uses AA batterys as well......that used to drain em n all.....

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

GLENNSPARK said:
i think that most of the newer MFTs will test s type RCDs now D80......its just the ancient stuff like the old robins that wont.....

Does the Megger MFT 1552?

In fairness its not a test I do often, and I used the MFT 1552 for years and don't even know if it does or now lol!

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
Does the Megger MFT 1552?

In fairness its not a test I do often, and I used the MFT 1552 for years and don't even know if it does or now lol!

well lets face it....for domestic situations the only time you`l encounter s type RCDs is on a TT system....where you are feeding a sub board in an outbuilding and you need 2 RCDs in series......in order to acheave discrimination.....

D80 · Mar 17, 2012

GLENNSPARK said:
and this is an issue with some MFTs as well.....the use of AA batterys......my boss`s tester is a metrel and the way it drains the batterys......i used to have an old robin 1620 that uses AA batterys as well......that used to drain em n all.....

The MI3000 isn't too bad on them if I'm honest. It's got about 8 batteries in it and doesn't eat through them, but at the end of the day AA batteries are pretty **** for anything. I'm over run with rechargeable batteries, the Brother label machine has them, the MFT has them, the keyboard and mouse has them - then when it comes to my daughters toys we just go through them for fun lol!

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

to the o/p.....try before you buy.....go and have a look at the various test instruments on offer....see how they feel to use......base your purchase on this....not on how it looks alone....it has to feel `right` when you are using it....dont forget that its something you will be using for some time so it has to be right for you......

GLENNSPARK · Mar 17, 2012

D80 said:
The MI3000 isn't too bad on them if I'm honest. It's got about 8 batteries in it and doesn't eat through them, but at the end of the day AA batteries are pretty **** for anything. I'm over run with rechargeable batteries, the Brother label machine has them, the MFT has them, the keyboard and mouse has them - then when it comes to my daughters toys we just go through them for fun lol!

i think that half the problem though with leigh`s metrel....is he doesn`t bother to charge it up on a night.....so it conks out half way through testing..lol....then and only then will he bother to put it on charge.....i even had to ring him up once to remind him that it was flat and we had a load of testing to do the next day so it needed charging up otherwise he would have just left it in the van..lol......