how to do a proper test using multi meter. what am asking what is the Right way.
Thanks
Thanks
Positive Isolation
- Thread starter onlyfitidealboilers
- Start date
A multimeter is the wrong way to test for dead as the wrong setting could be chosen and give misleading indication. Also a voltage indicator will test for AC and DC at the same time (think of a highly charged capacitor.)
Although it could be argued that it is better than nothing if it can be proved before and after on a known live source.
Although it could be argued that it is better than nothing if it can be proved before and after on a known live source.
Agree with the above however, I would always also test to ensure the circuit is DEAD before working. How do you know you have isolated the correct circuit at the CU?
Its more of a habit thing, but even after I have carried out ALL the above, I tap the live with the back of my hand, away from the neutral. Probably will get laughed off here but if I had the choice, I would much prefer a jolt to ground through rubber soles than one with me grasping live AND neutral.
Humans are designed to make mistakes. NEVER get into the habit of forgetting to check live, especially if you are going to/from the CU and working more than once circuit. NEVER get complacent.
Every electrician really ought to own a proper lock off kit, and get into the habit of using it every single time you work on a circuit.
what it is I need to show my apprentice an i want to make sure i dont mislead him, Say before i touch a boiler case/pipe cheak with meter set to ACvolts put one probe to earth an the other on boiler case/pipe that will prove the case is not live before i touch it?? netter than a volt stick surely
thank you
thank you
Why don't you teach him the correct way then, and use a two probe voltage indicator and proving unit ?
well would do but us gas fitters arnt made of money! Only got a fluke multi meter, surley that will do ??
cheers
cheers
Or worse the probes can be in the wrong sockets.
If you are working on mains distribution you really should ensure all test gear you use has GS38 approved fused test leads. The results of faults with or misconnection of cheap multimeters (which generally only have fusing on the low current socket not on the high current socket or the voltage socket and even on the low current range the fusing is often vastly inadequate for mains installation work) with unfused leads on high fault current circuits can be extremely nasty.
If you are working on mains distribution you really should ensure all test gear you use has GS38 approved fused test leads. The results of faults with or misconnection of cheap multimeters (which generally only have fusing on the low current socket not on the high current socket or the voltage socket and even on the low current range the fusing is often vastly inadequate for mains installation work) with unfused leads on high fault current circuits can be extremely nasty.
An electrician would call these exposed and extraneous conductive parts. I doubt many would routinely test these for live. The reason being that one of the main aims of designing an electrical installation is to make sure these never have a dangerous voltage on them. What they should test for live are "live conductors" - i.e. the wires found inside enclosures.
Please don't scrimp on this, you can buy a Fluke T50 for less than £25 that will do the job properly, and a set of lock offs for less than £5, ok they are not the best in the world, but they would need a yank to remove them, and if someone yanked off my lock off, it would be grounds for me getting a bit irritated!!
My leads are fused and there is only two places the leads can go, so what is the problem, nott being funny just like to know
I was always shown before i touched a boiler case to test from earth to boiler case to cheak there is no voltage save me getting a belt, and also use volt stick incase there is a bad earth..
am i well off with this ? because to be honest it makes sense to me
cheers lads
I was always shown before i touched a boiler case to test from earth to boiler case to cheak there is no voltage save me getting a belt, and also use volt stick incase there is a bad earth..
am i well off with this ? because to be honest it makes sense to me
cheers lads
Non contact volt sticks are pretty good for testing mains xmas tree lights, that is about it. I would never rely on one to check for dead.
As said before, you should not use a multimeter to check for dead i.e. if you are going to be touching parts which could be live. Only a voltage indicator as specified in GS38 should be used for testing for dead.
A multimeter can be used for measuring voltages as part of fault finding. If set wrong in this instance you may create a short circuit hence the concept of using fused leads.
If your meter is a quality make with an internal HBC fuse and you are using manufacturers recommended leads then using fused leads may not be necessary, check with the MI.
As said before, you should not use a multimeter to check for dead i.e. if you are going to be touching parts which could be live. Only a voltage indicator as specified in GS38 should be used for testing for dead.
A multimeter can be used for measuring voltages as part of fault finding. If set wrong in this instance you may create a short circuit hence the concept of using fused leads.
If your meter is a quality make with an internal HBC fuse and you are using manufacturers recommended leads then using fused leads may not be necessary, check with the MI.
How do you mean set wrong mate??
err are the leads fused to protect the multi meter or to protect the user ?
thanks again
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