Approved voltage indicator

ringer · Jun 5, 2010

I currently have something similar to this Toolstation > Digital Catalogue but have a feeling it might not be approved

, particularly as the exposed legs are 15mm long on mine

So, any recommendations on what to buy? What makes them 'approved'? And why are they so expensive? £50 to £110+

Do you really need bells & whistles on a voltage tester? I would have thought that as long as it shows if dead or alive, and applies minimal load to avoiding tripping rcds then that's all you need.

I have a Megger 1552. Can I use that for the proving?

m4tty · Jun 5, 2010

I've got a fluke t120 or t something. Would rather use my mft1552 aswell but think you have to use a gs38 approved voltage testing for proving. Cheers

bugsy · Jun 5, 2010

Tmet 100 / 200 led tester

pennywise · Jun 5, 2010

Martindale for me, the four neon version, I've got the fluke 140 and it's a pile of ****e the flex has broken after a year and it trips the RCD if you go between live and earh first and not between live and neutral

ringer · Jun 5, 2010

bugsy said:
Tmet 100 / 200 led tester

just tried googling all sorts of variations on that - nothing coming up. Can you confirm the name or post a link?

bugsy · Jun 5, 2010

Go to NIC-EIC website its available from their online shop

rick · Jun 7, 2010

I have a couple of cheap Chauvin Arnoux testers which are OK.

But I prefer my Fluke T120 (shows actual voltage in LCD display rather than just LEDs).

Megger would do the same job, just a bit of a heavy bugg3r to carry in your pocket!

UNG · Jun 7, 2010

I use a John Drummond test lamp (manufactured by Martindale now) and also have a Martindale PD690 Proving Unit

The Drummond test lamp has been around for years and is available in a few different models now

Risteard · Jun 7, 2010

I have a Fluke T100 which is handy on site as you can check continuity with it as well. Has probe tips for GS38 compliance.

Also have Martindale voltage indicator with neons and proving unit. This is the one I use the most.

Also have Drummond test lamp.

And no, you can't use your meter for safe isolation!

Steve D · Jun 7, 2010

I find the Martindale unit is the best for safe isolation, rather than the combined continuity meters that fluke do. I've got both, but find the martindale unit best.

The other week I was actually told that it's not 'approved' if it's got batteries in it, like the fluke testers have. I tried to educate him that gs38 is nothing to do with whether it's got batteries in or not it's just to do with the leads and probes, but he wouldn't have any of it.