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Test kit recommendations please

D

dg2908

My test kit for the past five years has been a Metrel MI3125B. It is ready for replacement for the following reasons:
1) The test lead has recently acquired a dodgy earth, replacing that would cost £30
2) The calibration was up in December, that would cost me £30
3) I can't get a USB-RS232 adaptor working to update the tables so that's a faff
4) The machine has some intermittent interface faults - sometimes pressing one of the buttons will act as if I've pressed one of the others...
5) Metrel weren't responsive when I e-mailed them for support regarding instances when the No trip Zs has given me a completely different reading to the standard Zs

I've been looking around at what to get and I think I'm have a choice between the following

Fluke 1653B @ £690
Martindale ET4000 @ £570 (Metrel MI3000 in disguise?)
Megger MFT1730 @ £950
Kewtech KT65DL @ £700

My hunch is that the Fluke would provide good value for money - would anyone recommend it?

Other thoughts turn to the occasional PAT work I do- the disadvantage to having used the MFT is no high current earth bond test for extension leads and the like. Is there anything cheaper than the Kewtech KT71 @ £350 that will do me a 20A test? Ability to measure leakage current is a major plus too.

Finally, what's good value for money in clamp meters with 1-100A range?
 
My test kit for the past five years has been a Metrel MI3125B. It is ready for replacement for the following reasons:
1) The test lead has recently acquired a dodgy earth, replacing that would cost £30
2) The calibration was up in December, that would cost me £30
3) I can't get a USB-RS232 adaptor working to update the tables so that's a faff
4) The machine has some intermittent interface faults - sometimes pressing one of the buttons will act as if I've pressed one of the others...
5) Metrel weren't responsive when I e-mailed them for support regarding instances when the No trip Zs has given me a completely different reading to the standard Zs

I've been looking around at what to get and I think I'm have a choice between the following

Fluke 1653B @ £690
Martindale ET4000 @ £570 (Metrel MI3000 in disguise?)
Megger MFT1730 @ £950
Kewtech KT65DL @ £700

My hunch is that the Fluke would provide good value for money - would anyone recommend it?

Other thoughts turn to the occasional PAT work I do- the disadvantage to having used the MFT is no high current earth bond test for extension leads and the like. Is there anything cheaper than the Kewtech KT71 @ £350 that will do me a 20A test? Ability to measure leakage current is a major plus too.

Finally, what's good value for money in clamp meters with 1-100A range?

ive got a 1654b and cant fault it, i havent used it a great deal but i havent had any issues with it either
 
ive used both Megger and Fluke but ended up purchasing a Megger 1720 and its worth every penny. Its simple to use and a reliable tester post firmware update. Flukes alright but the one i had for a week was a pain, it had a button on the lead to perform tests instead of auto test like the megger when performing Zs i dont know why but this bugged me. The interface isnt as clean and user friendly as the megger. Top marks on the flukes case though cant fault that part.
 
ive used both Megger and Fluke but ended up purchasing a Megger 1720 and its worth every penny. Its simple to use and a reliable tester post firmware update. Flukes alright but the one i had for a week was a pain, it had a button on the lead to perform tests instead of auto test like the megger when performing Zs i dont know why but this bugged me. The interface isnt as clean and user friendly as the megger. Top marks on the flukes case though cant fault that part.

The 1720 is a lovely machine, until the contacts go at the back and the continuity readings won't settle. I've had mine less than two years and it's current away for the second time. The other lads on the firm have had the same issues as well. Hated Flukes when I used them at college.
 
The 1720 is a lovely machine, until the contacts go at the back and the continuity readings won't settle. I've had mine less than two years and it's current away for the second time. The other lads on the firm have had the same issues as well. Hated Flukes when I used them at college.
i mainly used a 1500 series at work, i like both. i like the fluke more for actual testing cause of the probe with the test button
 
Used to have a 1653b, now changed to mft1730 which i prefer

Although the case is rubbish, so need to get a fluke case
 

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