testing tips

[Sparky_Ben]

I am trying to compile a list of handy tips you guys have picked up along the way during your careers which will help to pin point the problem during fault finding.

thanks chaps!

 

[johnboy6083]

think simple first! where should there be voltage, when there isnt. Use all of your senses apart from taste. Ask the people who use the installation. it may save you hours of looking for something.
finally, dont be afraid to get out some paper, and start writing things down ordrawing diargrams. it will help you from going round in circles.

 

[spark 68]

Fault finding is roughly split 50/50 between theory and intuition.

A thorough understanding of the system you are working on is essential, and always expect the unexpected, I think it was Sherlock Holmes who said :

when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

, and this is so true while fault finding.

The best tip I got from an "old hand" many years ago, was first to THINK and then to work out what you should have and where, then to make a test miss a test, and only go back one step when you get something unexpected, as this halves the amount of test/checks you need to make thus saving a lot of time.
This has helped me immensely over the years.

Another thing to be aware of is 'cause and effect', and why are you making This test/check ? and what is causing this result ? and by answering these questions will enable you to reach a satisfactory conclusion (hopefully!)

 

[Flying Ninja]

The above two post sum up well, Go slow and be methodical, you usually overlook and miss the obvious.

 

[telectrix]

one of the most frequent , and easily spotted faults is a lost neutral. when you put your ( approved ) voltage tester across L and N at a fitting and get no reading, FFS test across L and E. many a young spark has received a belt through thinking there was no power at the point.

 

[GT1]

Make yourself a short (6") lead out of some flex or speaker wire. Then crimp some small metal crocodile clips on the ends.
You can use this to connect the ends of wires together when testing inside a consumer unit. (dead tests only of course). Null it out with your leads before testing.
It's normally a lot quicker than faffing about with clips from your megger trying get 2 ends of 4mm to hold together inside a crowded box. !!

 

[alli]

Use all of your senses apart from taste.

I must disagree with this, I often have a two cuppa of tea problem:willy_nilly:

 

[supertoad]

think simple first! where should there be voltage, when there isnt. Use all of your senses apart from taste. Ask the people who use the installation. it may save you hours of looking for something.
finally, dont be afraid to get out some paper, and start writing things down ordrawing diargrams. it will help you from going round in circles.

yes I do this too-works well