Voltage Indicator and Proving Unit

R

RDB85

-
Trainee
So I’ve managed to sell somethings and decided to buy a voltage tester and proving unit.

I’ve seen this on eBay:

rover.ebay.com

Socket And See SP200 proving unit And Socket & See Voltage Tester VIP Pro | eBay

Half Price!! <br> <br>Socket And See SP200 proving unit And Socket & See Voltage Tester VIP Pro. Condition is New. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class.
rover.ebay.com

Or would you just pay the extra and go for this or another brand? The one on eBay looks okay it’s just a worry. With it being testing equipment.

www.test-meter.co.uk

Megger Safe Isolation Kit

#html-body [data-pb-style=C8D5VKN]{justify-content:flex-start;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background-position:left top;background-size:cover;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-attachment:scroll;border-style:none;border-width:1px;border-radius:0;margin:0 0 10px;padding:10px}#html-body...
www.test-meter.co.uk www.test-meter.co.uk
 
both the socket &see and the martindale are good bits of kit, but personally i'd go for the Megger. or you could buy a Fluke and have it die and be recalled.
 
tony clark said:
its all right as a starter kit at least you will have a proving unit the progress form there as you build you confidence and upgrade to a mft
Click to expand...
Totally different pieces of equipment, one is for proving a circuit is dead, the other (MFT) is used for testing both live and dead installations, how can you upgrade to a MFT? when in reality if you are doing electrical installation work the MFT or other individual test equipment items is a must, in my opinion.














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telectrix said:
both the socket &see and the martindale are good bits of kit, but personally i'd go for the Megger. or you could buy a Fluke and have it die and be recalled.
Click to expand...

That’s all I’m thinking is they are both £60. Or just pay the extra £50 and get the Megger. As both eBay items are no returns. They are probably okay, it’s just myself worrying that if they don’t work or develop a fault I can’t return them.
 
RDB85 said:
That’s all I’m thinking is they are both £60. Or just pay the extra £50 and get the Megger. As both eBay items are no returns. They are probably okay, it’s just myself worrying that if they don’t work or develop a fault I can’t return them.
Click to expand...

As Spin says, the ebay listings have a best offer option, you could make a cheeky offer of £40 ?
Paypal and ebay both offer buyer protection schemes. If they are not as described you can get a refund.
 
I've got the Martindale jobbie. Very happy with it. Saved me a couple of times where our work permits have stated what I'm about to work on is isolated but turn out it isn't.
 
Andy78 said:
As Spin says, the ebay listings have a best offer option, you could make a cheeky offer of £40 ?
Paypal and ebay both offer buyer protection schemes. If they are not as described you can get a refund.
Click to expand...

Declined my offer if £40. Went back with £50. That’s a good point. Suppose you could get eBay involved if there are issues. Both the Martindale and Socket and See look identical. Which is quite funny.
 
I’ve put and offer on the Martindale. Any idea on the best place for a case for either the Martindale or Megger please?
 
maybe a small camera bag that will also fit some other test gear, like a clamp meter ( earth leakage, maybe).
 
I got a couple of good quality padded camera-kit bags from the charity shop, a fiver each. 1 holds my multitool and impact driver and has numerous zipped compartments for drill bits, blades and other accessories. I actually went into the shop to drop off some stuff, and came out with the 2 bags, a lob wedge and a camera tripod...
The tripod was as new, and retails around £120, but it was priced at £19.99, so irresistible really. Of course it fits my cameras, but also useful for laser level!
The lob wedge was £5, and has improved my golf immeasurably...
by which I mean you couldn't measure any improvement at all...
 
I’m pretty certain some people were selling cases on eBay when I found that Martindale.
www.ebay.co.uk

Martindale Electric proving unit pd440 bag only | eBay

Martindale Electric Proving Unit Bag Only.Excellent Condition.
www.ebay.co.uk

Though to be honest, this one might be better as it comes with voltage tester, proving unit and case:
www.ebay.co.uk

MARTINDALE PD440 PROVING UNIT AND VI3800 VOLTAGE INDICATOR | eBay

<p>MARTINDALE PD440 PROVING UNIT </p><p>VI3800 VOLTAGE INDICATOR </p><p>Item is used aso may have signs of use but overall in great condition as seen in the pictures </p><p>Good working order </p><p>Item comes in martindale carry case with shoulder strap</p><p>Item comes with user manuals for...
www.ebay.co.uk
 
spinlondon said:
I’m pretty certain some people were selling cases on eBay when I found that Martindale.
www.ebay.co.uk

Martindale Electric proving unit pd440 bag only | eBay

Martindale Electric Proving Unit Bag Only.Excellent Condition.
www.ebay.co.uk

Though to be honest, this one might be better as it comes with voltage tester, proving unit and case:
www.ebay.co.uk

MARTINDALE PD440 PROVING UNIT AND VI3800 VOLTAGE INDICATOR | eBay

<p>MARTINDALE PD440 PROVING UNIT </p><p>VI3800 VOLTAGE INDICATOR </p><p>Item is used aso may have signs of use but overall in great condition as seen in the pictures </p><p>Good working order </p><p>Item comes in martindale carry case with shoulder strap</p><p>Item comes with user manuals for...
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...

Seems a lot for a case. Maybe it’s good quality. I’m unsure about buying used test equipment and it was open to offers but you would only save a fiver. There is a brand new socket and see on Amazon £115. With a case and everything. I’m in two minds as there is also that Megger for £108.

That Martindale one that you found originally seems good for £60 and then a case at £21. So it’s not too bad. But I don’t know if it’s worth paying the extra and getting the socket and see from Amazon or the Megger. Does the Megger have additional functions? As I’ve seen the Martindale in college when we done some safe isolation. Looked good.
 
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RDB85 said:
Seems a lot for a case. Maybe it’s good quality. I’m unsure about buying used test equipment and it was open to offers but you would only save a fiver. There is a brand new socket and see on Amazon £115. With a case and everything. I’m in two minds as there is also that Megger for £108.

That Martindale one that you found originally seems good for £60 and then a case at £21. So it’s not too bad. But I don’t know if it’s worth paying the extra and getting the socket and see from Amazon or the Megger. Does the Megger have additional functions? As I’ve seen the Martindale in college when we done some safe isolation. Looked good.
Click to expand...
What other functions are you looking for? it's a case for your tester and proving unit.
 
The person selling the Martindale has said he will except £50. Including buying a case and postage in total is £79. Good buy?
 
Or you could buy the one with a case for £55 + £10 postage.
That one’s open to offers as well.

All these things do is tell you whether something is live or not, and which voltage band it’s in.
The proving units are just something for you to check your tester is still working before and after use.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
spinlondon said:
Or you could buy the one with a case for £55 + £10 postage.
That one’s open to offers as well.

All these things do is tell you whether something is live or not, and which voltage band it’s in.
The proving units are just something for you to check your tester is still working before and after use.
Click to expand...

I understand what they are for, I am just weighing up pros and cons and whether to buy a nearly new, one from eBay or an online retailer.
 
RDB85 said:
I understand what they are for, I am just weighing up pros and cons and whether to buy a nearly new, one from eBay or an online retailer.
Click to expand...
I’m just saying that they all do the same, whichever manufacturer you purchase from.
Myself, I have a Fluke T3 which I’ve had for over 15 years.
It needs batteries to function, but not only does it test voltage, it also tests for continuity.
Don’t think it’s classed as an ‘approved tester’, but I’m happy with it.

Never owned a proving unit, only ever used one in a classroom.
If I want to verify my tester is working, I test a known live circuit.

As for buying new or second hand, these sorts of test equipment are pretty robust.
The Martindale unit has been around for years and is known for being pretty robust and reliable.
Socket and See is quite a new company, though I did quite like their basic socket tester when it first came out.
Bit wary of the later models with RCD testing.
Megger have been around for years and their MFTs and Insulation testers are well respected.
Not so sure about their voltage testers, never seen one until very recently.
 
spinlondon said:
I’m just saying that they all do the same, whichever manufacturer you purchase from.
Myself, I have a Fluke T3 which I’ve had for over 15 years.
It needs batteries to function, but not only does it test voltage, it also tests for continuity.
Don’t think it’s classed as an ‘approved tester’, but I’m happy with it.

Never owned a proving unit, only ever used one in a classroom.
If I want to verify my tester is working, I test a known live circuit.

As for buying new or second hand, these sorts of test equipment are pretty robust.
The Martindale unit has been around for years and is known for being pretty robust and reliable.
Socket and See is quite a new company, though I did quite like their basic socket tester when it first came out.
Bit wary of the later models with RCD testing.
Megger have been around for years and their MFTs and Insulation testers are well respected.
Not so sure about their voltage testers, never seen one until very recently.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the Socket and See are new company It looks similar to the Martindale. I originally gravitated to the Megger, because of the reputation they have with MFT. I will do some research.
 
Ending up buying a socket and see kit with a case for £63 posted. Brand new too. Will see what it’s like when it arrives.
 
DAvid Prosser said:
AHHHHH who on earth issued those permits ???????
Click to expand...
I work at powerstations all over the UK. During outages some of the SAPS are very overworked and on occasions can miss something. As the permits always say, 'check for dead using an approved method before starting work'. it always makes sense!
 
Moley said:
I work at powerstations all over the UK. During outages some of the SAPS are very overworked and on occasions can miss something. As the permits always say, 'check for dead using an approved method before starting work'. it always makes sense!
Click to expand...

I'm not questioning you checking for dead but I would certainly question someone issuing a permit that ambiguous. What if the permit was issued to someone non electrical. Surely a P.T.W is to say something is isolated and safe to work on ?
 
DAvid Prosser said:
I'm not questioning you checking for dead but I would certainly question someone issuing a permit that ambiguous. What if the permit was issued to someone non electrical. Surely a P.T.W is to say something is isolated and safe to work on ?
Click to expand...

I've had something similar happen to me whilst working in the quarries. @ruston will have definitely worked on the same.

The face machines (NAVIs) were powered by 3.3KV on a long trailing lead.

Every so often along these leads there was a fixed pit with copper bars inside, to extend or reduce as necessary. On on of the PM jobs, I took the metal lid off one of these pits to reveal the bars. Permit said dead and isolated. I threw a spanner across the bars (not sure why I did it that day). Enormous flash later, those bars were still live, nothing left of the 21mm spanner.

If I'd have made a mess lifting the lid, dropped it, not thrown the spanner 100% I would not be alive today. Since then, I never fully trust permits, until I have seen evidence myself.
 
Rob said:
I've had something similar happen to me whilst working in the quarries. @ruston will have definitely worked on the same.

The face machines (NAVIs) were powered by 3.3KV on a long trailing lead.

Every so often along these leads there was a fixed pit with copper bars inside, to extend or reduce as necessary. On on of the PM jobs, I took the metal lid off one of these pits to reveal the bars. Permit said dead and isolated. I threw a spanner across the bars (not sure why I did it that day). Enormous flash later, those bars were still live, nothing left of the 21mm spanner.

If I'd have made a mess lifting the lid, dropped it, not thrown the spanner 100% I would not be alive today. Since then, I never fully trust permits, until I have seen evidence myself.
Click to expand...


When I issue a permit I go through the isolation procedure with whomever I'm issuing it to, the final part of this will be to touch the conductors myself. If your not willing to touch them why expect someone else to.
 
Should add to that though Rob I went to work in a quarry once (through an agency)only lasted two days as I felt my life expectancy had dramatically decreased due to the very obvious lack of any safety measures. About four months later three blokes were killed there. Not through an electrical fault but through a bucket falling on them due to lack of proper maintenance on the bucket and the fact that people should not of been working under moving buckets.
 
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DAvid Prosser said:
Should add to that though Rob I went to work in a quarry once (through an agency)only lasted two days as I felt my life expectancy had dramatically decreased due to the very obvious lack of any safety measures. About four months later three blokes were killed there. Not through an electrical fault but through a bucket falling on them due to lack of proper maintenance on the bucket and the fact that people should of been working under moving buckets.
Click to expand...

At the time of me working in quarries, I think statistically it was the most dangerous place to work, with respect to fatal injuries. More so than the army etc..

Still, I did a good 14 or 15 years there.

There was a few fatalities whilst I was on site there, none electrical related. Unfortunately I witnessed 1 first hand, poor b"astard had retired, an come back in just to help on a shut down.
 
We had a lot of fatal accidents too, but as you say non of them electrically related .
I was involved in a fatality too, a banksman crushed by D8 dozer on a machine I was on.
These were the size of the largest machines buckets.
This is a on a walking dragline in excess of 3000 tons.
This is a stock picture from an adjacent site from ours .
Ace of Spades or, Chevington Lady.
They all had names lol.
 

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RDB85

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Voltage Indicator and Proving Unit
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