Equipment For Testing Electrics

[GavinK]

Hello, I'd like to learn how to test my houses electrics, eg. continuity test, proper earthing. What DIY tool/equipment should I look for ?

Also I need to tighten a lose connection to my main circuit breaker. How do I set it to the right torque - is there such a thing as a torque screwdriver ? Thank you.

[electau]

Correct testing equipment is not exactly for DIYers. However here is a list of basic test equipment which would be used by most electricians.

1. Insulation tester 500/250VDC with continuity range 300mV 0 - 500 ohms and 0-3 ohms.

2. A Digital Multimeter/ Tong Tester for AC power measurements. With fused leads suitable for voltages up to 600VAC.

3. A Proximity Voltage tester (Voltstick)

4. An RCD tester with polarity test with lead and 3 pin plug with adjustable test current ranges to 5/10/15/30mA.

With these one can test.

Continuity (earthing)

Insulation to earth

Polarity of supply

Tripping of an RCD at the socket outlet.

You do not require a torque screwdriver, just tighten but do not overtighten the connection.

Edited March 7, 2012 by electau

[Crossy]

Add to Electau's list a loop impedance tester, an outlet polarity tester and possibly an earth resistance tester

OK, we have the Pro answer, now let's have the pragmatic, DIY'er answer

For occasional diagnostic and installation work you should have:-

1. A digital multimeter, if you can get one with a low-ohms range (0-20 Ohms) it would be useful. I does not need to be anything super-dooper.

2. A neon screwdriver, cheap and simple, but your body forms part of the test circuit (don't drop it in water). A Voltstick is better, safer and more expensive.

3. If you are doing any wiring installation or flood recovery work an insulation tester is a very useful item to have (and they often have low-ohms).

4. A plug with a 15Watt lamp between Earth and Live as an earth / RCD tester.

I have a Robin KTS1630 Installation Tester, a Fluke 75 multimeter and a Voltstick 230Y.

Unless you are a mega-gorilla you don't need to go to the expense of a torque driver.

[Litlos]

Best piece of test equipment is the test button on an RCD. If you do not have an RCD/RCBO/ Safe-T-Cut then that will have to be step one, and the best bit of kit you can buy. No I am not being funny.

Cheers

[electau]

One would not require a loop impedance tester, if RCDs are installed and loop impedance tests are only required on socket outlets that are not RCD protected on an MEN system.

On can measure loop impedance by other means. The same with an earth resistance tester, soil resistance is not required to be tested as the earth electrode depth in ground of 1.2/1.8 metres is regarded as sufficient. (AS3000).

RCD checkers are fitted with a 3 pin plug to check polarity and functional test only at rated current. They just have a switch to select mA range They do not do a current/time test. Those instruments are far more expensive.

Using the test button only tests the functional operation of the RCD, using an RCD tester checks the RCD operation with the earth at the socket outlet.

RCD tests are the last tests one carries out when testing an electrical installation.

　

　

　

　

　

Edited March 11, 2012 by electau

[electau]

A long flexible trailing lead that will reach from the MSB or earth electrode to any point in the electrical installation. Can be 1.5sqmm or 2.5sqmm.

Zero out the resistance before carring out any tests.