Full Meter kit, what's best

[Michaelwgroves]

I'm looking to take my part P soon so will need a 17th Edition Meter. So I thought in for a penny in for a pound. I'm gonna splash the cash and buy all new meters. All my current meters are cheap, but I now want a good set. Is Megga worth the money, Metrel MI3000 Easi Plus Multifunction Tester is Test-Meter's best seller and good value at £515inc. I also want a good multimeter, voltage probe and proving unit. CEF and TLC have their own brands Ethos & Di-Log which are cheap, but are they any good. What I would really like is a kit with everything in it I need, do they exist?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Martindale VIPD138 Voltage Indicator & Proving Unit Set

Fluke 177 Digital Multimeter


Megger MFT1730 OnSite Kit Multifunction Installation Tester

 

[shanky887614]

Martindale VIPD138 Voltage Indicator & Proving Unit Set

Fluke 177 Digital Multimeter


Megger MFT1730 OnSite Kit Multifunction Installation Tester

dont bother with the 13800 it is a fair bit more money than the 13700/2

the only difference is the 13700 is rated at 600v and 13800 1000v.


they dont have fuses in them they use resistors.

the fluke 175,177 and 179 are very good meters with a 10 year guarentee on the screens from new (lifetime on unit)

 

[NDG Elecs]

Personally I would not bother with a proving unit. Use the VI and the supply to test for live and dead. Never ever had a problem doing it that way. Put the £70 or whatever they cost towards a Megger instead of the Metrel. Had my MFT1552 for six years and it's still in great shape every calibration. I have played with a Metrel in the past and it was ok to use. I recall finding the test leads annoying at the time. But saying that Meggers new leads are cack.

 

[shanky887614]

Personally I would not bother with a proving unit. Use the VI and the supply to test for live and dead. Never ever had a problem doing it that way. Put the £70 or whatever they cost towards a Megger instead of the Metrel. Had my MFT1552 for six years and it's still in great shape every calibration. I have played with a Metrel in the past and it was ok to use. I recall finding the test leads annoying at the time. But saying that Meggers new leads are cack.

ill be honest the fluke leads are a lot better than megger.

the button on one of the leads makes it easier during testing

 

[Midwest]

If you go for the Megger 1730, DON'T get the Powersuite software, very expensive renewal cost, tech support last 3 months! Replace the leads with Kewtech, you can use their R2 socket adaptor. Don't get Di-Log voltage tester, my one leads went after 2 years, Fluke T110 much more robust.

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Thanks for all the comments, also been chatting offline.
I'm now thinking do I really need a multimeter if I get below;
Fluke T5 600 and Megger MFT 1700 series.
Seems to cover everything I would need on a daily bases.

But why might I get MFT1730 over the 1720 or even 1710.
Am I likely to use the extra features?

 

[shanky887614]

Thanks for all the comments, also been chatting offline.
I'm now thinking do I really need a multimeter if I get below;
Fluke T5 600 and Megger MFT 1700 series.
Seems to cover everything I would need on a daily bases.

But why might I get MFT1730 over the 1720 or even 1710.
Am I likely to use the extra features?

have a look at this then have a look at some reviews online to see which one you would like

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...jAHOAo&usg=AFQjCNEmA0TNirNNA4IHUpi0KE2wP3QvJw


after looking at that personally i would look at the martindale 4000/4500 or 1730

 

[Midwest]

1730 gives you Bluetooth, to download results to the powersuite software, earth electrode test (leads might be extra), but best thing IMO, rechargeable batteries. And a couple of other tests. MFT1700 series - Multifunction installation tester. 1735 comes with the earth electrode test leads

 

[shanky887614]

1730 gives you Bluetooth, to download results to the powersuite software, earth electrode test (leads might be extra), but best thing IMO, rechargeable batteries. And a couple of other tests. MFT1700 series - Multifunction installation tester. 1735 comes with the earth electrode test leads

it has more than that, it can be used for earth leakage with an accessory aparently acording to that table

 

[Midwest]

Yes, which is quite a few pounds I believe.

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Thanks guys for your comments,

A little more background, I want to predominately domestic Periodical inspections, nothing commercial.
I think 1720 should be fine, 1735 seems to be a bit more specialised leaning towards earth testing, so I can't see me needing this.
1730 adds Type B RCD and 3 pole earth test, so can't see me needing this either.
1730 On Site adds Software & Earth Test kit.
So common senses says get 1720, but I'm drawn to 1730 on site because it's rechargeable and for only £110 more than 1730 I get software and earth test kit. Take off cost of earth test kit makes software only £75. Is it worth the extra money?

"Midwest" You say DON'T get software, is it just renewal cost or something else. Also what's renewal about and cost, I thought it was perpetual licence?

 

[davesparks]

Whatever you do, don't trust the forum sponsor 'test meter' or whatever they call themselves, the customer service is non existant. I've waited a month for an order to arrive, they are waiting for one item out of three to come on to stock and they didn't bother to say anything until I emailed them about it after waiting two weeks. They sent a brief email reply and still no idea of when my order will arrive!

 

[davesparks]

Thanks guys for your comments,

A little more background, I want to predominately domestic Periodical inspections, nothing commercial.
I think 1720 should be fine, 1735 seems to be a bit more specialised leaning towards earth testing, so I can't see me needing this.
1730 adds Type B RCD and 3 pole earth test, so can't see me needing this either.
1730 On Site adds Software & Earth Test kit.
So common senses says get 1720, but I'm drawn to 1730 on site because it's rechargeable and for only £110 more than 1730 I get software and earth test kit. Take off cost of earth test kit makes software only £75. Is it worth the extra money?

"Midwest" You say DON'T get software, is it just renewal cost or something else. Also what's renewal about and cost, I thought it was perpetual licence?

Carrying out periodic inspection and testing requires detailed knowledge of current and past wiring practices and regulations along with many years experience. It's not something you can just jump in to with a quick part P course and a shiny tester

 

[Midwest]

Thanks guys for your comments,

So common senses says get 1720, but I'm drawn to 1730 on site because it's rechargeable and for only £110 more than 1730 I get software and earth test kit. Take off cost of earth test kit makes software only £75. Is it worth the extra money?

"Midwest" You say DON'T get software, is it just renewal cost or something else. Also what's renewal about and cost, I thought it was perpetual licence?

Unless it has changed (I complained to a Megger sales person at an Elex show), you must register the software within 90 days of purchase, to receive 30 days of tech support. The software is not the easiest to understand, you can purchase additional support on a yearly contract.............£179+vat! You could get a local rep to pop and see you for an hour, or go on one day training session......£300+vat! You can see what I mean. The completed certificate doesn't look that great IMO.
One of the reasons I bought the 1730, was the blue tooth ability, but you have to use it with their software. However, the rechargeable ability is worth it IMO. I haven't used the earth electrode test kit yet. I think Megger also offer a three year warranty. You can purchase just a 1730 without the software, Test Meter sell that for £954 (pick the earth wander lead as the free gift, cos you gonna need one of them).
PS Bought a few items from Test Meter, always received a good service.
PPS If you are going to do mainly Domestic, you maybe thinking of registering with a scheme, some of them offer (chargeable) online certification. I believe there are some free certificate downloads out there, or buy some certificate packs, and use an old fashsion pen & paper

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Unless it has changed (I complained to a Megger sales person at an Elex show), you must register the software within 90 days of purchase, to receive 30 days of tech support. The software is not the easiest to understand, you can purchase additional support on a yearly contract.............£179+vat! You could get a local rep to pop and see you for an hour, or go on one day training session......£300+vat! You can see what I mean. The completed certificate doesn't look that great IMO.
One of the reasons I bought the 1730, was the blue tooth ability, but you have to use it with their software. However, the rechargeable ability is worth it IMO. I haven't used the earth electrode test kit yet. I think Megger also offer a three year warranty. You can purchase just a 1730 without the software, Test Meter sell that for £954 (pick the earth wander lead as the free gift, cos you gonna need one of them).
PS Bought a few items from Test Meter, always received a good service.
PPS If you are going to do mainly Domestic, you maybe thinking of registering with a scheme, some of them offer (chargeable) online certification. I believe there are some free certificate downloads out there, or buy some certificate packs, and use an old fashsion pen & paper

Thanks mate, this is very helpful. I can see software getting very expensive.
You are correct, I'm looking at registering now. I like the idea of online certification so will also look into this.

 

[Midwest]

Yep, some say it's just another example of profit generation by the schemes. However, I include the cost of the cert in my quotations, and the scheme takes on the responsibility of storage of it. With the Megger certificate, you need the software to open the certificate, hence I had to post all my certs to customers.

 

[shanky887614]

Whatever you do, don't trust the forum sponsor 'test meter' or whatever they call themselves, the customer service is non existant. I've waited a month for an order to arrive, they are waiting for one item out of three to come on to stock and they didn't bother to say anything until I emailed them about it after waiting two weeks. They sent a brief email reply and still no idea of when my order will arrive!

dont bother emailing them, call them.

there an electrical wholesaler as well so they will be busy

 

[davesparks]

dont bother emailing them, call them.

there an electrical wholesaler as well so they will be busy

I couldn't give a monkeys how busy they are, they should be contacting me to advise me that my order is going to be delayed by a month.
It's disgustingly poor customer service

 

[Midwest]

Seem to have a good reputation on this forum, I've had good service from them. Perhaps you should start a separate thread and see what response you get from them then?