What Multi Tester to buy?

[telectrix]

or this one

MEGGER MFT 1502/2 MULTIFUNCTION TESTER | eBay

calibration with oscs ( he comes to you) £57.50

 

[gmchris]

**UPDATE**

I have eventually bought a calibrated nearly new Di-log 9083p, under £200.

For anyone who hasn't usd one, i can recommend it, the continuity has a test lock function, and optional buzzer, ins res has test lock too. Non-trip loop takes 6 seconds, cant say whether it trips rcd's or not, i still have an old wylex fusebox in my house (typical eh? fit em all week but can't be arsed at home :yesnod: ) Could do with a neck strap though, gonna hack one of the wife's old handbags to bits when she's not looking.

I tried a Metrel- cracking meter, but didnt have test lock continuity. Did have lots of other features though, and was comfortable to wear all day, good solid leads too- better than any others i've used (including fluke, megger ,di-log). Also looked at used 16XX flukes but they dont appear to have test lock. Aslo looked at the Martindale veritest and Seaward Combicheck but both of these only do non-trip loop to a resolution of 1ohm.

Hope this helps anybody else who is looking for a cheap tester and cant afford used megger prices.

 

[jonnyspeed]

The di log looks good. Anywhere I can get it on finance or for £200? Sounds like you got a bargain. Anybody know good and bad points with the di log 9083p? I read it may have some problems when testing.

 

[Harry Worth]

The di log looks good. Anywhere I can get it on finance or for £200? Sounds like you got a bargain. Anybody know good and bad points with the di log 9083p? I read it may have some problems when testing.

My mate bought a Dilog.He's pleased with it for the price. Seems to do everything you need of a meter. Really easy to operate with a clear display and layout. My eyesight is poor and I struggle with the old Megger 1552 meters but found the Dilog very easy. Didn't come with the harness though and that's a definite must otherwise you have to press the test button with your nose whilst holding the meter with one hand and handling the three probes like chopsticks in your other hand. The Dilog doesn't have a seperate 'no trip' setting so everything seems to be a three wire test and earth loop readings must be slower as a result of the assumed RCD in the circuit. On another note - get the meter supplied calibrated - the money he saved shopping around was more than outweighed by the cost of calibration.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Hi Guys,

srl-8 'Do i 100% have to have a Multi Function Tester? ' Personally, I would prefer to have a multifunction tester than seperate units. Having to carry a low resistance ohmmeter, insualtion resistance tester, loop/PFC/RCD tester around seperately could prove a pain if your lumping around cable, tool boxes, ladders etc. And yes, they work out more expensive to calibrate every year. However, if one of the individual meters was to become faulty, you'd still have the others available to use. Give us a call mate, we have different brands in stock, and you don't necessarily have to break the bank. We'll advise you on the correct meter/meter's to purchase, and we'll honour you with a 5% discount, too.

gmchris Hi mate, some multi function testers do a ultra low current continuity test (around 7-8 mA). This means, essentially, that when you want to conduct a continuity test, it will measure the resistance straight away without you having to grow a third arm and press another button. Other testers do a higher resistance test, which means that magic third arm comes in handy. I know for a fact that most Megger MFT's do the continuity test as soon as your second probe/crocodile clip touches the conductor (providing there is continuity). They will also conduct a Ze/Zs test without you having to press a button, which is handy when you have all 3 leads connected to a ceiling rose and a lamp quickly warming up on your cheek!

 

[gmchris]

Update re Di-log 9083p

I made a holster from a neoprene laptop skin (found under the sofa) and an old bike rack strap so the handsfree thing was great, just press test lock and away you go, still the megger's are better here but remember this is a sub £200 budget. The rcd tests are very quick and it is a very light unit for a multifunction.

Downsides- the earth loop tests seem a bit erratic but i mostly r1r2 everything- just link out the earth bar and live bar at the (off) Db. Unfortunately i put the probes on live terminals whilst continuity was still locked on, and blew the internal fuse (see my oyher thread AAAAGGHHH i blew my meter), then i bridged it with wire and was stupid enough to do it again later. So i'd say the major downside is that it is not a 'live proof' meter- but it would be if supplied with a pack of spare fuses

Gonna get it repaired or get another though- just to make use of my homemade holster!!

 

[gmchris]

Another update; for anyone looking for CHEAPEST MEGGER testers, Newey & Eyre wholesalers sell their own-branded testers (Newlec) which i am pretty sure after looking at a few, are meggers. City Electrical sell them too- branded as Ethos. I have just bought a new Ethos non-trip loop/rcd tester, and a Newlec ins/res tester. They are both identical to megger stuff, and cost me just £94 on fleabay- i'm guessin not many people search for em as i was the only bidder for both items!