fluke 1664fc tester

Hi Fred,


I have the exactly the same model. It's had to go away for repair 3 times for the same issues in the end they sent me a new replacement, thankfully all's been well since. 


My issues were with incorrect Ze readings each time. 


I have on the odd occasion had the error 5 message, but have retested after reconnecting the leads etc and all has been well. 


Have you ever used the app with your phone or the multiple tests features?


Regards TS

No I haven't used the app on the phone, or any off the other fancy things on the tester. I have had the tester just over a couple of years now. I have been in touch with Fluke UK in the past about rcd's tripping out whilst doing a zs test at different sockets and lights etc , even on there low test mode. They told me to press and hold down the down arrow key to change the frequency from 0HZ to 128HZ and visa versa. But it still tripos rcd's out. Also most times it comes up with error 5 and error 4. But if I use my friends megger or metrel testers , they are fine on the same circuits. When I have called Fluke about it they just say the new Fluke is very complex. Its annoying, not impressed at all with it considering I paid well over a grand for it .

Error code 5 on loop test indicates that that the data is noisy (e.g. if there are appliances drawing varying current levels on that circuit). You can still get the result by pressing the up/down button, but the result may be less accurate. Error 4 indicates a voltage of > 10V between N & E.

I have a new Megger MFT1741 and last week it tripped some of the new Hager type-A RCDs during three wire low loop tests, before I bought it I had a chat to the guy in the Megger tech dept and apparently I may need to shorten the time of the test from the default period, but I cannot find it in the menu so I may have to phone him again to check what I need to do. 


I still had had my dedicated Megger two wire loop tester on the van, so I used that. I was going to put some of my testers up for sale, but I still need to determine which ones to keep, the guy at Megger said keep a set of individual dedicated testers as backup for the MFT.


Andy Betteridge

Why bother with low current loop tests on rcd protected circuits?

lyledunn:

Why bother with low current loop tests on rcd protected circuits? 

I do a lot of minor works certificates, this week I collected 250 NCR copy sets of personalised Minor Works certificates from the printers I use.


All I want is to ensure there is a good earth connection where required and a loop test does that without dismantling the consumer unit, there are usually too many other issues to deal with to waste time doing excessive testing.


Needless to say I have slimmed down the model certificate in the regs book and made more space for comments on the existing installation to get a more useful certificate for both myself and my customers.


Andy Betteridge

Thursday's job, install a supply for a shower booster pump, apparently metering services sent a guy to fit a smart meter, but he passed on doing it.

Too many issues to deal with to worry about doing more than an earth loop test to confirm that there is an acceptable earth connection at the point the new connection has to be made for the booster pump supply. 


Spot the Crabtree 50-50 double pole shockproof switch-fuse.


Then spot the earth fault protection for the farm building supply on the far right, bearing in mind it's all TT.


An earth loop tester that trips RCDs is about as much use as a chocolate teapot when you're out on a job snd need to crack on with things. 


Andy Betteridge

Yes a nice setup. You've got everything you need....

Earth fault protection with the VOELB

Over current protection using BS3036 fusing elements

A good supply of candles

Lots of 16mm2 tails

Although, I might want to check the the maximum demand before I added an extra circuit


Legh

The house  VOELCB appears to operate satisfactorily, however there was originally a second intake and meter for the farm buildings, when these were removed and the farm buildings were connected to the house supply no one bothered with earth protection.


This is going way off the subject of the original post, but going back to what I said above, when faced with installations like this the last thing you want is to waste time trying to determine something as simple as the earth loop impedance on a circuit.


So as it stands I’m hanging on to my dedicated two wire no-trip loop tester despite having a new MFT. But that still leaves several other surplus testers that my wife thinks I should get rid of to clear some space.


Andy