Earth Leakage Clamp Meter...Why do I need one?

[123]

I've read various threads on faults and it's been suggested that an Earth Leakage Clamp Meter is an essential bit of kit and some suggesting it is the first go to bit of kit in fault finding.

What am I missing out on then? I do numerous call outs, and have yet to be beaten on one. What's it going to offer that some of my various bits of test equipment can't solve (IR Tester/MFT/PAT tester). Will it speed things up enough to pay for itself, or is it just going to be an expensive toy?

Thoughts welcome folks. My next purchase may be this, or a Dewalt DCE088D1G Green Laser (I already have a Dewalt DW087K Red Laser).

 

[The Ghost]

So how do you test RCD faults then?

 

[Wes1000]

Can be useful. Just clamp it on and will tell you wether there is a higher than usual current on the earth. For RCD tripping issue it’s handy

 

[Wilko]

Just relax and do it. You know you want it

 

[LankyWill]

So how do you test RCD faults then?

insulation resistance tests still work a treat.

 

[Leesparkykent]

So how do you test RCD faults then?

What's do you mean?

 

[Pete999]

I've read various threads on faults and it's been suggested that an Earth Leakage Clamp Meter is an essential bit of kit and some suggesting it is the first go to bit of kit in fault finding.

What am I missing out on then? I do numerous call outs, and have yet to be beaten on one. What's it going to offer that some of my various bits of test equipment can't solve (IR Tester/MFT/PAT tester). Will it speed things up enough to pay for itself, or is it just going to be an expensive toy?

Thoughts welcome folks. My next purchase may be this, or a Dewalt DCE088D1G Green Laser (I already have a Dewalt DW087K Red Laser).

I've read various threads on faults and it's been suggested that an Earth Leakage Clamp Meter is an essential bit of kit and some suggesting it is the first go to bit of kit in fault finding.

What am I missing out on then? I do numerous call outs, and have yet to be beaten on one. What's it going to offer that some of my various bits of test equipment can't solve (IR Tester/MFT/PAT tester). Will it speed things up enough to pay for itself, or is it just going to be an expensive toy?

Thoughts welcome folks. My next purchase may be this, or a Dewalt DCE088D1G Green Laser (I already have a Dewalt DW087K Red Laser).

How will you test for earth leakage, RCD tripping, without one? why would you want 2 lasers? are you a tool tart then.

 

[The Ghost]

Pretty plain question @Leesparkykent isn't it?

 

[Pete999]

What's do you mean?

Deleted question has already been asked.

 

[The Ghost]

Seems a valid question

Ok well when I ask someone how they do RCD fault testing I am asking...how do they do RCD fault testing. Complex I know but take your time and you will be able to divine what it is I am asking. Sheesh!

 

[Marvo]

insulation resistance tests still work a treat.

I'd agree it used to, you could do a global IR on a circuit or installation and from that you could calculate pretty accurately what the leakage would be.

That was the days before installations had LED drivers, game consuls, numerous chargers for electronic devices, multiple PC's and laptops, cordless phones etc etc all of which have noise and surge suppression circuits that all leak to earth to some extent.

Accurately measuring standing/functional leakage current now requires a live test with a clamp meter that has a miliamps range.

 

[gazdkw82]

 

[123]

So how do you test RCD faults then?

Sometimes no tester needed at all, sometimes Insulation Resistance Tester or MFT, and sometimes PAT Tester. A notepad is useful as well.

Majority of these faults are RCD is tripping and won't reset.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Ramp test the RCD with appliances etc on and the ramp test the RCD without. The difference is the earth leakage.

 

[telectrix]

Ramp test the RCD with appliances etc on and the ramp test the RCD without. The difference is the earth leakage.

but with things like freezers, how would you know when and if they were running?