Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

Hi Neil,
It looks like you are doing a good job already with earth loop impedance, earth bond and insulation tests.

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

neilsukwg wrote:I currently (no pun intended) check insulation, earth continuity and Martindale the socket.

Those checks are all one would be expected to do whilst repairing any individual appliance in a customers premises. Whilst earth bonding, consumer unit inspection and earth loop impedence testing are only necessary checks for appliances that are ‘hard wired’ (i.e Ovens, hobs and many built-in appliances). The latter tests requiring full access to consumer units prior to testing.

Therefore a 500 volt Insulation Test Meter, Digital Multi-meter, Earth Loop Impedence Meter and of course the very handy Martingdale are a must for all of us to have with us and use daily*. 😉

HTH?

* My guess is that few of us ‘in the trade’ barely possess a multimeter let alone a Megger? As for Loop Impedence Meter, most wouldn’t have ever seen one let alone know how to use one or why? :rolls:

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

My guess is that few of us ‘in the trade’ barely possess a multimeter let alone a Megger? As for Loop Impedence Meter, most wouldn’t have ever seen one let alone know how to use one or why.

An Intresting prospect is it not Matrin?

I come into regular contact with Service Engineers who have been in the trade for many years, and a fair few of them when asked about such tests just don’t bother. In fact one engineer I was speaking to recently replied as follows to this question. Do you have a Megger ? Na I’ve never had the need for one !

It never ceases to amaze me how or why they have come to this particular mindset. Pressed further, What about socket testing and Earthing, the reply comes, what about it ? if the punters got trouble with that then thats down to them !

Mm can you imagine the fun a barrister would have in court if the unthinkable happened ? in this blame and claim world we operate in to not perform safety checks is just leaving you wide open to a serious claim that could cost you your house, business and shirt and what of the implications of public liabilty insurance engaging experts to test any such litigation ? Insurance companies are always looking for a way to adjust or deny the claim and to have it proven that you were incompetent could bring about PLI being withdrawn ?

I have always used both a mulimeter, Megohmeter, Martindale, Clampmeter, Voltstick ( for my safety ) ever since I served my apprenticship in this trade, it was the way we were trained and by using such tools you insure your own safety, the safety of the consumers, and a lot of the time these tools give you a head start in the diagnostic process that our job entails.

As for Earth Loop Impeadance testing I think that I am correct in saying that the all manufacturers technicians are supplied with and versed in the use of such equipment. Personally I am not as yet knowledgable in this respect but I plan to find out more about this aspect.

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

i work for British Gas and we have to carry out all tests (eli inc)

we are all issued with an Alphatek Instaltest 61557 14-in-1 Installation Tester which will do all the tests u will need and more

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

shonight wrote:we are all issued with an Alphatek Instaltest 61557 14-in-1 Installation Tester which will do all the tests u will need and more

My God! That’s the mother of all testing devices I know? WoW! And BG are surely splashing it about issuing those things to everyone, but then I suppose they aren’t strapped for cash either? :rolls:

Tell me shonight, how often do you have to hand it in to get it recalibrated I wonder?

Re: Supply Point Earth Loop Impedance Testing

You got a bargain there Neil. I’ve just paid £650 for a Fluke multifunction tester. All Meters, Earth loop Impedance,Insulation resistance, and Rcd testers should be calibrated every 12 months. Just had my 3 Robin Meters calibrated. £85.
Ashby