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Electrical Safety & Function Tester. V. 154.

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I have just obtained a Clare V.154 "P.A.T" tester.


It has a flash test facility at 3000V or 4000V and a large test probe that looks like a 50s sci-fi film ray gun. I will thoroughly service the instrument before use, and am not inclined to use the flash test facility, but am curious about how it produces the high Voltages. I have not opened the instrument yet so it will be a treat to have a look inside. Circa 1984 I believe.

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/clare-v154-electrical-tester.933150/
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    By mains transformer and rectification - no need for clever inverters when 50Hz is available. The voltage is not that inconvenient, I'd expect a voltage multiplier rectifier to keep the winding efforts reasonable - Cockroft and Walton  style. Maybe not as big as the ones in the photos on that page.

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    mapj1:

    By mains transformer and rectification - no need for clever inverters when 50Hz is available. The voltage is not that inconvenient, I'd expect a voltage multiplier rectifier to keep the winding efforts reasonable - Cockroft and Walton  style. Maybe not as big as the ones in the photos on that page.

     




    Hello Mike,

                         I believe that I have seen the CW Voltage multiplier in action at the London Science Museum many years ago as a young man. It was advertised as producing a 1 million Volt spark, and when it discharged it made a frightening sound that made us all jump.


    Fortunately my device only has a few transformers in it, a few relays, a 16 Amp M.C.B. and a few micro-switches, plus a multi-layer wafer rotary switch.  No degrading capacitors that I can see upon initial inspection. It also has a nice moving coil meter. I must polish the wooden case and lid.


    Bye,


    Z.

  • 0
    I have a V.154 and can confirm the flash test voltage is derived from a small transformer. It's actually AC coming out of the probe. I do still use the flash test on equipment that's been repaired/modified. Absolutely lovely bit of kit
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    MHRestorations:

    I have a V.154 and can confirm the flash test voltage is derived from a small transformer. It's actually AC coming out of the probe. I do still use the flash test on equipment that's been repaired/modified. Absolutely lovely bit of kit




    Yes it certainly is a lovely piece of sold hand made test gear. And when I opened it up to look inside the smell of old transformer varnish was wonderful. A piece of working history. I just love moving coil meters.


    Z.

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