TEST LEADS FOR RCBO TESTING

[NICKYNUNN]

Hi, what do you guys use to test rcbo trip times at the rcbo in DB? My Fluke test lead can not reach far enough for contact, I can't see any long reach probes for the Fluke 1662.
Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[James]

Some probes , you can pull the covers off the tips

 

[NICKYNUNN]

Some probes , you can pull the covers off the tip

Thanks,you can on mine but they are still not long enough :/

 

[R-fur]

Make up some short (100mm) leads with a 4mm socket at one end and a bootlace ferrule at the other.
Put the bootlace end under the pinching screws and plug your test set into the other end. I always carry a couple of these leads and find them useful in many locations.

 

[NICKYNUNN]

Make up some short (100mm) leads with a 4mm socket at one end and a bootlace ferrule at the other.
Put the bootlace end under the pinching screws and plug your test set into the other end. I always carry a couple of these leads and find them useful in many locations.

Thanks,sounds like a good work around. You'd think there would be long reach leads for this, looks like there is a gap in the market

 

[timhoward]

I was going to suggest exactly the same; when test lead plugs split I keep them and use the plug other end to make up this sort of thing.

The other last resort solution, based on what I secretly used to do when I had a separate RCD tester that was only intended for socket circuits and had a moulded 3 pin plug on it and needed to test other circuits...

Stick an unswitched double socket in a surface pattress. Plug in the 3 pin plug lead for the fluke.
In the other half of the socket use a Megger/Kewtech etc 3-pin plug to 4mm lead, and any 4mm probes of your choosing. Rather a horrible clunky hack but works.

 

[NICKYNUNN]

I was going to suggest exactly the same; when test lead plugs split I keep them and use the plug other end to make up this sort of thing.

The other last resort solution, based on what I secretly used to do when I had a separate RCD tester that was only intended for socket circuits and had a moulded 3 pin plug on it and needed to test other circuits...

Stick an unswitched double socket in a surface pattress. Plug in the 3 pin plug lead for the fluke.
In the other half of the socket use a Megger/Kewtech etc 3-pin plug to 4mm lead, and any 4mm probes of your choosing. Rather a horrible clunky hack but works.

Thanks, I might get myself on dragons den with some long probes, see if any of them wanna back it

 

[R-fur]

Long reach probes are a bad idea for sparks as you might be tempted to use them in inappropriate locations. Tim's idea works and is safe but as he says a bit clunky. The little 4mm to bootlace leads are easy to stick in a corner of your tool bag so they are always handy.

 

[NICKYNUNN]

Long reach probes are a bad idea for sparks as you might be tempted to use them in inappropriate locations. Tim's idea works and is safe but as he says a bit clunky. The little 4mm to bootlace leads are easy to stick in a corner of your tool bag so they are always handy.

thanks for your help

 

[Cagethethird]

Fluke make long reach/narrow probe tips

Fluke 8845A 8846A Tip Adapter Set | ISSWWW.co.uk

Fluke 8845A 8846A Tip Adapter Set - Extended Fine Point Tip Adapter for the Fluke 884X Series Digital Bench Meters

isswww.co.uk

Is this the sort of thing you are after?

 

[Dartlec]

Fluke Twistguards are probably what you want. Got some for my Megger and they have come in so handy I couldn't go back to any other type now.

ebay link

 

[NICKYNUNN]

Fluke make long reach/narrow probe tips

Fluke 8845A 8846A Tip Adapter Set | ISSWWW.co.uk

Fluke 8845A 8846A Tip Adapter Set - Extended Fine Point Tip Adapter for the Fluke 884X Series Digital Bench Meters

isswww.co.uk

Is this the sort of thing you are after?

Thanks, Yes possibly , if they are meant for the multimeters and not just the hand held voltage meters.I'll have to ring them up

 

[pc1966]

Make up some short (100mm) leads with a 4mm socket at one end and a bootlace ferrule at the other.

Don't forget to use safety 4mm plugs!

For example:

RS PRO Red Male Banana Plug, 4 mm Connector, Solder Termination, 10A, 1000V, Tin Plating | RS

uk.rs-online.com

 

[NICKYNUNN]

Fluke Twistguards are probably what you want. Got some for my Megger and they have come in so handy I couldn't go back to any other type now.

ebay link

nice one, i'll check and see how long they are

 

[pc1966]

The issue stems from the likes of GS38 safety requirements for not touching the probe tip while working and having less chance of accidentally shorting (and potential for a serious arc-flash incident if on the tails, etc).

The Fluke Twistguards look interesting, must try and get some for myself!

Edited to add link to GS38:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/gs38.pdf