Advice on Voltage Testers please.

[RDB85]

I am building up my tool collection, slowly, we have done safe isolation, on our course, so I was looking to buy a Voltage Tester. But I know the Fluke ones have had a recall. But I have seen these two:

Fluke T150 Voltage and Continuity Tester - Edwardes - https://www.edwardes.co.uk/en/products/fluke-t150-voltage-continuity-tester

Megger Electricians Two Pole Voltage Tester - https://www.its.co.uk/pd/TPT320-Megger-Electricians-Two-Pole-Voltage-Tester-_MEGTPT320.htm

They both look very similar but which would you go for? I will also need a proving unit which is here:

Megger Electricians Proving Unit - https://www.its.co.uk/pd/MPU690-Megger-Electricians-Proving-Unit-_MEGMPU690.htm

 

[buzzlightyear]

i have this .good v/tester .

 

[Midwest]

I had the di-log ^^^ one. The lead came free from the main body after a year.

Wouldn't worry about the Fluke recall; least they've identified the fault and gone about the recall. I just received my replacement.

 

[SparkyChick]

I have a Fluke T150 (currently at Fluke for the recall) and a T90. They are both great units, but I love the T150. It has been abused and lasted well but did finally succumb to the fault that triggered the recall.

I have a Socket and See proving unit, I found it was cheaper than the likes of Megger etc. but works great.

 

[Zdb]

Fluke T6-1000

 

[Wilko]

On the US currency is written "In God We Trust" and let me just say, this is the one tool that we must trust to always be right.

I have a Kewtech tester and prover - it's been perfect for 3 years, but that Megger does looook verrry nice (can you tell I want one?).

 

[telectrix]

go for the Megger. at least it's not JCB yellow.

 

[Strima]

i have this .good v/tester .

We use them in work, not bad but all the probe tips have gone missing...

 

[BruvDunk]

Megger does look nice.
Always used the flukes and had no issues...

 

[RDB85]

The Megger does look nice. I will see what offers there are on the Fluke. What’s the difference between the Fluke models?

 

[MDJ]

I personally hate fluke but that is me, I would go with the Meggar myself, JMO.

 

[Powellm]

I've got a fluke 117 great bit of kit if you have somewhere to put it ie a bench the amount of times I've had to let it dangle. I'd go for a pen style as they are very easy to read from if you have no croc clips. (Stop stealing by croc clips!!!)

 

[RDB85]

I was going to look at a Multimeter but I don’t have the cash for one right now. I thought a voltage indicator would be a great start.

 

[telectrix]

i had a fluke T5-1000. on continuity it was less accurate than a piece of wet string.

 

[RDB85]

I’ve decided to go for the Megger. It looks a nice piece of kit. I’m sure it will last many years.

On the subject of Multimeter, are they worth getting or would it be better saving for a MFT?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I’ve decided to go for the Megger. It looks a nice piece of kit. I’m sure it will last many years.

On the subject of Multimeter, are they worth getting or would it be better saving for a MFT?

If you need to test small voltages accurately, or if you need to measure DC voltage, capacitance, etc. then you'll need a multimeter. They can also be useful for recording min/max readings on AC circuits over a period of time. But if you'll mostly be house bashing, it's a nice to have, not an essential.

Remember what you've been taught on safe isolation too, I.e. you must use a two pole tester, not a multimeter or MFT (or neon screwdriver or voltage pen).

You'll need an MFT, as these do tests that you can't do with a multimeter, such as IR, PFC, RCD tests.

Finally, if you do get a multimeter, think very carefully about what live tests you do with it, as its not designed to do what an MFT does, and apart from a fuse, offers no protection against doing the "wrong" live test. Check out some of the exploding multimeter videos online, they focus the mind somewhat.

 

[Tonch_cro]

I'm in market for 2 pole voltage tester and most budget friendly option that fullfils my conditions (smaller is better, voltage reading, continuity test) is Voltcraft VC 55.(Other option is Uni-T UT 18 D, but I don't know if it is any good.)

It is probably same as Megger TPT320 and Metrel MD1160, just in different colour, so I would appreciate if anyone has feedback regarding Megger or Metrel. Thank you!

 

[ruston]

I’ve decided to go for the Megger. It looks a nice piece of kit. I’m sure it will last many years.

On the subject of Multimeter, are they worth getting or would it be better saving for a MFT?

I have the one in the link.
It does not display a readout for resistance , only buzzes.
It is very sensitive on resistance and if you have the probe ( all safety checks assumed done) covers removed and touch the tips, if your fingers are the least bit moist it will buzz and may give a false continuity reading.
Other than those observations it is a lovely tester.

 

[ruston]

Duplicate.

 

[Tonch_cro]

Ruston, thanks for info! I can live with that, it is first on shopping list