Best MFT

[Ash700]

Please can anyone tell me...

I'm looking to treat myself to a new multi function tester, as well as clamp meters. At this stage, it's either going to be a Megger MFT1730 or an equivalent Fluke, and I am trying to find out which is the best brand with regards to who makes the best package, i.e., MFT in conjunction with clamp meters etc.

Thanks

 

[Marvo]

Hi Ash700, I've made your post into a new thread for you.

 

[markc123]

Mat they're both honestly as good as each other, its personal preference and use.

I always go for Fluke but they're many on here who prefer MFT.

It's like asking whether you prefer tea or coffee. Which btw, is tea everytime

 

[odawire]

Both good, ive got the megger and its a great tester, the best thing with megger is they're made in England (dover I think) and if you call the tech helpline you go straight through to the people in the workshop who make them and they couldn't be more helpful.

 

[MDJ]

I don't like the 1700 series myself, I prefer the 1550 series of the meggar, and my 1700 series meggar isn't recording the readings correctly and needs to go away for calibration and it's brand new, I have a check box which is accurate because I check all my meters in it and on the 1 ohm scale I was getting a reading of 1.3 with the leads nulled and on a 0.22 ohm zs reading on a test socket I have connected in my house for testing of my testers the 1700 is reading 0.31 and several other testers between 0.21 and 0.23, the calibrated testers 0.22 every time, the 1700 is pants and If it comes back after calibration with no improvement it's going back and I will try a different model, I doony like it, although it looks a nice bit of kit visually.

 

[Former Sponsor TM]

Hi Ash, There is an option of attaching a 100A current clamp to the Megger 17XX series of multifunction testers which will also measure earth leakage (mA). It is quite an expensive clamp though, so it may work out more cost effective to purchase a multifunction tester and a seperate dedicated current clamp.

There is a comparison chart on the forum which will highlight the differences in specification across the Megger range of testers.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

The best advice is to try a selection of MFTs before you buy, because personal preference is difficult to predict. There isn't tester on the market which is 'all things to all men' and your personal choice may well differ from mine. Making the wrong choice, like with all tools, can be a very expensive mistake which just annoys the hell out of you every time you have to use it.

 

[gigawatt]

Hi Ash, There is an option of attaching a 100A current clamp to the Megger 17XX series of multifunction testers which will also measure earth leakage (mA). It is quite an expensive clamp though, so it may work out more cost effective to purchase a multifunction tester and a seperate dedicated current clamp.

There is a comparison chart on the forum which will highlight the differences in specification across the Megger range of testers.

Why is that megger clamp attachment so bloody expensive? Wanted it for a long time but the price is ridiculous.

 

[MarkF]

the clamp is so expensive because it is designed to measure leakage currents, because these are so low, the clamp needs to be a lot more accurate which in turn increases the cost. There are a number of dedicated earth leakage clamps available and you do get what you pay for - we have seen a number of cheaper alternatives fail calibration, whereas the higher priced ones do give repeatable and accurate readings.

In terms of the original question regarding the testers, the Megger testers use the two wire loop test method and have the earth leakage option, the Fluke 1654, which is the equivalent model, has a 0.001ohm range on the high current loop test. Other than these two differences, both testers essentially perform the same range of tests, both are sold with calibration certificates and both are backed with a 3 year manufacturers warranty. We often find it is down to user preference as to which one to go for.

It's also worth noting that the cost of replacement test leads for the Megger is around half of that of the Fluke.

 

[somersetsparks]

Both good, ive got the megger and its a great tester, the best thing with megger is they're made in England (dover I think) and if you call the tech helpline you go straight through to the people in the workshop who make them and they couldn't be more helpful.

I can't say it enough, I wouldn't buy a 17xx series, it is without a doubt the MOST UNRELIABLE tester I have ever used, fair enough it has had very heavy everyday use, but it literally can't do more then 2 months of daily use without going back to megger, I now have another new megger test kit (seperates) and the difference in accuracy and reliability in results is amazing. The 1720 would give you a different result every press of the button, it trpped 6a rcbo's and the continuity always needed cobstant nulling/re-nulling. it spent nearly 3 months out of 8 at megger. Absolute steaming pile IMO.
The Megger 1500 series was excellent, as were almost all of their earlier models

 

[Ash700]

Thanks for all your replies and advice. I need to be fair to myself and not dismiss other brands just because I don't know much about them. I'll give a few a try-out and see how I get on with them. When I buy anything, I like it to work properly and as it is expected to. Bit disappointing to learn that MDJ was getting inaccurate zs readings. These things are not cheap, and they are not toys, so it's not too much to expect for them to do what they are supposed to and what the manufacturer claims.

There's nothing worse than buying something and then regretting it, only to wish that you'd bought the other one!

 

[Phoenix]

Does anyone on here have experience of the IDEAL range? They are considerably cheaper than megger / fluke and some have no 3-phase sequencing options but for DI they do all that's necessary. I only ask as it's a choice between a 2nd hand 15xx or an IDEAL for me...:juggle2: