What Brand of Tester Do You Use?

[MKSparks]

Megger MFT1720, very pleased with it!

 

[Edward Peterson]

Hi everyone,

As there is normally a fair bit of talk of 'which tester should i buy', i thought we could gauge what people use with a poll.

I have listed all the ones i can think of, but if there any i have missed then let me know!

I am not really into brands but I have a Fluke electrical tester and it has been with me for quite some time now, I could say that it is durable and its reliable...

 

[Deleted member 38070]

mft 1730 (only issue was original leads don't fit socket and see, use socket lead supplied instead)
fluke 83 dmm
fluke prodder
fluke volt alert
kewtech socket tester

used fluke 1653 for a while, nice meter

 

[Smart Sparks]

Martindale voltage tester
Robin - singles

 

[vjsmarwick]

Mtf 1730 but not got the hang of the software yet still manually input the results

 

[PAW]

Thankyou for your opinions on MFT's. I am in the process of buying a replacement meter for my KT64, which was repaired last year with same selector switch fault coming back.. Meggers 1720 appear to be fixed now, but the 2 wire loop test is apparently still giving incorrect readings??? (comments welcome). Fluke 1652C what do you think about this meter? is it robust? does the loop test take long? is it easy to switch between tests?.... Metrel MI3000 i have heard some good things said but understand the remote test probe is an optional extra, which pushes the price up, not as much as the fluke, but then you think to yourself, pay a bit more and get a fluke?... I know you need to draw a line somewhere, but having a dependable, accurate test meter that is easy to use is just so important that I don't want to spend to much, but more importantly don't want to make the wrong decision... Any advice would be gratefully received.... Regards Paul.

 

[D E P Northeast]

Megger MFT1730 top bit of kit

 

[kingeri]

I'm still using three separate Robins which I've had for years. Only problem is when it comes to calibration time....

 

[sparc]

Although I've got a Megger MFT and separate testers my Kewtech KT35 is still the box I turn to for diagnostic work. I bought it off eBay about 3 years for £50. It's never been calibrated, but I only use it to help me trace faults. The best feature is the continuity beep-beep-beep with locking button. You can set it up at CU then wander around house trying connections and listening to the sound. You get a nice beep-beep-bOp when you hit gold! If you see one on eBay they're a great investment.

I've had the 1553 for about 3 years and its's okay, but I prefer the Megger separates, TBH - they are totally solid and reliable.

The 1553 wasted me a lot of time the other day reporting continuity between a screwhead in the wall and the earth, when there was none. Checked the batteries but still odd readings, that I've yet to get to bottom of - it was calibrated a month ago. I tried the KT35 and that gave me what I needed, and helped find the N-cpc short pretty quickly. If I hadn't had a hunch the 1553 was misbehaving I may have ended up tearing down part of a wall!

 

[smorris]

I use Megger testers. So far it is working for me smoothly and safely. For ground testing, battery testing, insulator testing - they are the best! As experts say they are truly pretty useful for any electrical testing. My vote goes for them.

 

[harrod58]

I like the Megger but the test leads have gone down hill. I like my Kewtech machine!!!

 

[Paul Tuson]

You could always hire different kits to try them out and then buy the one you liked best.

 

[LeckyBill]

I got a Metrel, tried fluke, Kewtech and Megger at TradeSkill and found them all to complicated.

 

[Tommy C]

Have a fluke 1653B MFT really good & easy to use, don't like their leads & use Megger leads which are great.

Fluke are my favorite as to me they are the prettiest and very functional, though would like the new Megger with the two wire no trip (if circuit is RCD protected) function for measuring ZS.

Like the Meggers as they are rugged & really simple to use.

Kewtech's I've used seem fine.

All the ones I've ever used seem okay and have been easy to use.

Often find having good leads & the batteries fresh enough seems to be most important for accuracy (so long as the instrument is calibrated & hasn't been knocked about too much).

 

[sparc]

My Megger 1553 has just celebrated the end of its warranty period (3 years - plus a month - obviously) by falling to pieces on a job. Literally, bits started falling off. It eats AA's for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A set is really only good for one complete install. It's still my main tester - can't afford a new now. I picked up three Megger separates on eBay, and use those for fault finding, and these are solid as rocks. They don't get calibrated, just checked against the MFT - which does, every year.