Which clamp meter for earth leakage AND continuity/voltage?

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello all,

I've been looking for a while for a clamp meter that includes earth leakage, along with resistance and voltage. Some of the earth leakage meters that seem to do a reasonable job and are fair priced dont make it clear if they also test voltage/resistance which i would want as well (hopefully for around the £100 mark??). These are 2 of the ones that I have seen, the Dilog having fairly good reviews:

Dilog DL6507
TM-EL9809

Any suggestions for which one does the lot (i.e earth leakage/continuity/voltage) at a fair price?

Cheers all...

 

[telectrix]

Dilog DL6507. Buy online or call

looking at this, the meter appears to have the 2 4mm sockets at the bottom, so it would seem that it can also be used for testing for voltage and continuity. as in a simple multimeter. looks a good buy.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

well..i have a leakage clamp....but use a beckmann clamp that plugs into one of my MFTs...
i also use an industrial multimeter for voltage etc...

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Dilog DL6507. Buy online or call

looking at this, the meter appears to have the 2 4mm sockets at the bottom, so it would seem that it can also be used for testing for voltage and continuity. as in a simple multimeter. looks a good buy.

Thats kind of what I thought Telectrix, if its got the sockets at the bottom it does continuity/voltage - I think?? But I couldn't see on the actual meter a voltage or ohm sign!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Thats kind of what I thought Telectrix, if its got the sockets at the bottom it does continuity/voltage - I think?? But I couldn't see on the actual meter a voltage or ohm sign!

should do....
the reason a multimeter would have a current clamp on it is so you can take current readings without interrupting the supply...
think meters in series...and meters in parrallel....

 

[Guitarist]

I have the Dilog, and apart from screwy readings which turned out to be the battery getting low, I'm quite happy with it. I always use my MFT for anything except clamping though, as it's calibrated.

 

[ipf]

Dilog DL6507. Buy online or call

looking at this, the meter appears to have the 2 4mm sockets at the bottom, so it would seem that it can also be used for testing for voltage and continuity. as in a simple multimeter. looks a good buy.

Yep, decent piece of kit. Had one for a couple of years.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have the Dilog, and apart from screwy readings which turned out to be the battery getting low, I'm quite happy with it. I always use my MFT for anything except clamping though, as it's calibrated.

Thanks Guitarist,

So can it measure continuity and voltage?

Cheers.

 

[Guitarist]

Thanks Guitarist,

So can it measure continuity and voltage?

Cheers.

Yes, and there's even a zero function for the continuity, along with a set of leads.
As I said though, I have never used it for that when I have a calibrated MFT with me all the time.
Also, be sure to make yourself a "clamping" lead up for measuring current drawn by any appliance.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Hippy:
a member in here has a chauvin arnoux clamp for sale...this will also do continuity and AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, frequency etc...
its brand new never been opened..
now, if you know anything about test gear then you will know that chauvin arnoux are the dogs balls of current clamps...

 

[telectrix]

not seen that glenn. where is it.?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

not seen that glenn. where is it.?

its PaulMs...
he dont want it...
i`d have to check it does leakage though...
i think he wants £150 for it...
i can find out the model number of him if you want Tel..

 

[telectrix]

cheers, mate. be interested if it's got low enough resolution for leakage measurements. mine only goes down to 1mA.

 

[oldtimer]

Alphatek TEK775. Buy online or call

What about this one

 

[GLENNSPARK]

cheers, mate. be interested if it's got low enough resolution for leakage measurements. mine only goes down to 1mA.

take a look here Tel...i use one of these...and its OK:

http://www.amecal.com

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hippy:
a member in here has a chauvin arnoux clamp for sale...this will also do continuity and AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, frequency etc...
its brand new never been opened..
now, if you know anything about test gear then you will know that chauvin arnoux are the dogs balls of current clamps...

Thanks Glenn,
It would be good to take a look at it. Cant find it advertised anywhere though?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Thanks Glenn,
It would be good to take a look at it. Cant find it advertised anywhere though?

no...theres various different models..
chauvin arnoux are just about the largest maker of current clamps going...its what they have specialised in for years..
send paul a PM...see if its suitable...
the alternative is the amecal leakage clamp...about £40..then just get yourself a decent multimeter...
like i says, i have the amecal leakage clamp....and its OK...the metrel one is identical...but comes in at about £79...
sometimes its better to have seperate instruments....you cant have enough test gear in my opp...

 

[Engineer54]

Hello all,

I've been looking for a while for a clamp meter that includes earth leakage, along with resistance and voltage. Some of the earth leakage meters that seem to do a reasonable job and are fair priced dont make it clear if they also test voltage/resistance which i would want as well (hopefully for around the £100 mark??). These are 2 of the ones that I have seen, the Dilog having fairly good reviews:

Dilog DL6507
TM-EL9809

Any suggestions for which one does the lot (i.e earth leakage/continuity/voltage) at a fair price?

Cheers all...

Think you'll find these two models are the same meter just branded differently...

They have the same specifications too. I more than happy with the Dilog, it has excellent resolutions too, that are comparable with leakage testers more than twice the price!!

 

[geordie]

Thanks for the link old timer just ordered one

 

[Engineer54]

Thanks for the link old timer just ordered one

Not exactly very good on the resolution stakes is it, and probably why it's only 45 quid!! lol!!
As the old saying goes, buy cheap, buy twice!! And after all the praise for the Dilog and TM unit you recieved too!! lol!!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Not exactly very good on the resolution stakes is it, and probably why it's only 45 quid!! lol!!
As the old saying goes, buy cheap, buy twice!! And after all the praise for the Dilog and TM unit you recieved too!! lol!!

I'm going for Dilog, cheers for the advice guys.

Does anyone else get excited about buying tools!!? :teeth_smile:

 

[telectrix]

course we do. it's like a woman buying shoes, only we don't visit 200 shops then go back to the 1st shop to buy what we should have done 3 hours before.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

course we do. it's like a woman buying shoes, only we don't visit 200 shops then go back to the 1st shop to buy what we should have done 3 hours before.

I dont know Telectrix, i've spent quite a bit of time faffing around looking at clamp meters now. Still not entirely sure I need the thing..... but its so pretty and shiny!

 

[oldtimer]

I dont know Telectrix, i've spent quite a bit of time faffing around looking at clamp meters now. Still not entirely sure I need the thing..... but its so pretty and shiny!

Well it good advise to go with the DLog if its getting good revues

 

[Guitarist]

I dont know Telectrix, i've spent quite a bit of time faffing around looking at clamp meters now. Still not entirely sure I need the thing..... but its so pretty and shiny!

It's one of those tools which you will hardly ever use, but when you do need it, it's priceless.
Bet you spend an hour when you get it testing how much current everything in your house draws....Don't forget to make up your appliance test lead before the Dilog arrives though.

 

[Engineer54]

It's one of those tools which you will hardly ever use, but when you do need it, it's priceless.
Bet you spend an hour when you get it testing how much current everything in your house draws....Don't forget to make up your appliance test lead before the Dilog arrives though.

I'd disagree with that statement, with the amount of RCD's being used these days for just about everything!!
Far better and easier to fault find with, especially when tracing leakage faults than with an MFT ramp test.
I think every electrician should have one in their testing kit!! ...So long as they know how to use them!! ..lol!!

 

[Guitarist]

I'd disagree with that statement, with the amount of RCD's being used these days for just about everything!!
Far better and easier to fault find with, especially when tracing leakage faults than with an MFT ramp test.
I think every electrician should have one in their testing kit!! ...So long as they know how to use them!! ..lol!!

Let me put it this way my friend... I've had to use mine 3 times in the last year, working solely on domestic installs. To me, that's hardly ever, compared to the other tools I use. I'm sure though that some people would use it more, depending on the jobs they do.

 

[T&Earth]

Thanks Old Timer

Looks like a good bit of kit, and also thanks to everyone contributions

Cheers T&E

Well it good advise to go with the DLog if its getting good revues

 

[Engineer54]

It's one of those tools which you will hardly ever use, but when you do need it, it's priceless.
Bet you spend an hour when you get it testing how much current everything in your house draws....Don't forget to make up your appliance test lead before the Dilog arrives though.

You summed it all up in just that one statement ''but when you do need it, it's priceless.''as to why every electrician should have a leakage amp clamp as part of their testing kit!!

But to be of any real use, it needs a consistant good resolution value, which 45 quid isn't going to give you!! When for around £100, you get everything you need!! It's then money well spent for any electrician whether you use it 3, 30, or 300 times a year!! lol!!

 

[Guitarist]

You summed it all up in just that one statement ''but when you do need it, it's priceless.''as to why every electrician should have a leakage amp clamp as part of their testing kit!!

But to be of any real use, it needs a consistant good resolution value, which 45 quid isn't going to give you!! When for around £100, you get everything you need!! It's then money well spent for any electrician whether you use it 3, 30, or 300 times a year!! lol!!

Agree.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

It's one of those tools which you will hardly ever use, but when you do need it, it's priceless.
Bet you spend an hour when you get it testing how much current everything in your house draws....Don't forget to make up your appliance test lead before the Dilog arrives though.

Thanks for the usual professional and sensible advice Guitarist.

When you say you only use it a few times but when you do its pricess, are you talking about the earth leakage capabilities, assuming you are as your MFT does all the other bits?

Also, going to stick my neck out a little and show my inexperience, although I haven't really hidden that fact!! But could you explain a bit about 'making up a test lead', I'm guessing its something to do with avoiding the return current through the neutral but I could just be digging a great big hole.

Yes, I will test everything in the house with great delight

 

[Richard Burns]

But could you explain a bit about 'making up a test lead',

I assume it is something like this photo from Pushrod, though I do not like the idea of LN clamping and would tend to just do the cpc. But that is my preference.

 

[Guitarist]

Thanks for the usual professional and sensible advice Guitarist.

When you say you only use it a few times but when you do its pricess, are you talking about the earth leakage capabilities, assuming you are as your MFT does all the other bits?

Also, going to stick my neck out a little and show my inexperience, although I haven't really hidden that fact!! But could you explain a bit about 'making up a test lead', I'm guessing its something to do with avoiding the return current through the neutral but I could just be digging a great big hole.

Yes, I will test everything in the house with great delight

Basically, it's as Richard has posted, but obviously you should sheathe any live conductors. With one of these leads you can clamp the cpc for measuring earth leakage, and the line conductor for simply measuring current drawn.
I don't use it for anything other than measuring current, as I prefer my MFT for everything else.

 

[bigbaddave]

take a look here Tel...i use one of these...and its OK:

AMECaL Calibration Services Laboratory

Thats what i have.. Not a bad bit of kit and i paid £40 new..

 

[bigbaddave]

I'd disagree with that statement, with the amount of RCD's being used these days for just about everything!!
Far better and easier to fault find with, especially when tracing leakage faults than with an MFT ramp test.
I think every electrician should have one in their testing kit!! ...So long as they know how to use them!! ..lol!!

I agree with this allthough used to rely on the ramp funmction, It wasnt until i was on a job testing a submain board which was fed from a RCD in seperate building 30m away (Not far i know but you get the picture) and having to rest the RCD every time it went was just a joke.. Now clamp it, get your reading and well thats it done..

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I assume it is something like this photo from Pushrod, though I do not like the idea of LN clamping and would tend to just do the cpc. But that is my preference.
View attachment 18274

Thats great Richard. Thankyou.

 

[Guitarist]

Best thing to clamp is a table lamp with an energy saving lamp fitted. Makes you realise just how little power they consume

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Best thing to clamp is a table lamp with an energy saving lamp fitted. Makes you realise just how little power they consume

I love it! Microwave uses 5.7A, kettle 9.8A, oven 10A on grill but only 8A on main oven!, Lighting circuit with ALL lights on 2.7A, energy saving lamp - cant remember - but incredibly low!

I can keep going if anyone wants? :wink_smile:

 

[Guitarist]

I love it! Microwave uses 5.7A, kettle 9.8A, oven 10A on grill but only 8A on main oven!, Lighting circuit with ALL lights on 2.7A, energy saving lamp - cant remember - but incredibly low!

I can keep going if anyone wants? :wink_smile:

:vanish:

The novelty will wear off mate. Have you tested the earth leakage on your installation yet? :vanish:

 

[Ducksy]

Hey sorry my knowage of clamp meters is limited but do you guys have two clamp meters one for earth leakage (range 10 μA to 60a) and one for higher load readings (range 0.1ma to 400a) which I'm guessing you would need for Working out say max demand on EICR's.

I mean this one only reads up to a maximum of 60a....... I guess you could individually test each circuit and add them together to work out max demand.

And also I can see why a earth leakage clamp meter is useful for fault finding but wouldn't IR testing be just as effective for finding faults...apart from working out issues like if there are too many computers on one circuit causing nuisance tripping.

As I only do single phase domestic work (no EICR) would you recommended me getting one.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

:vanish:

The novelty will wear off mate. Have you tested the earth leakage on your installation yet? :vanish:

Not yet Guitarist, at work again now and didn't get home to play with it yesterday until 8pm!

Yes... The novelty always wears off doesn't it, still looking forward to seeing what the shower does though

 

[Guitarist]

Hey sorry my knowage of clamp meters is limited but do you guys have two clamp meters one for earth leakage (range 10 μA to 60a) and one for higher load readings (range 0.1ma to 400a) which I'm guessing you would need for Working out say max demand on EICR's.

I mean this one only reads up to a maximum of 60a....... I guess you could individually test each circuit and add them together to work out max demand.

And also I can see why a earth leakage clamp meter is useful for fault finding but wouldn't IR testing be just as effective for finding faults...apart from working out issues like if there are too many computers on one circuit causing nuisance tripping.

As I only do single phase domestic work (no EICR) would you recommended me getting one.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

The Dilog which many of us own has such a large range that we can use it for everything needed in domestic, including earth leakage.
Get one mate, they're invaluable.
Dilog DL6507

 

[Ducksy]

Sweet il do some research tonight

Thanks guitarist.

 

[telectrix]

ducksy, thy're very useful when fault finding RCD tripping issues. you clamp the main earth cable with all MCBs off, note any reading, then turn breakers on 1 at a time till you see the reading jump. same procedure with appliances. once you've found the circuit responsible, clamp it's own cpc and narrow the fault down.