fluke 1664fc tester

Error code 5

Excessive Noise

Turn off all appliances (Loop, RCD measurements) or move the earth stakes (earth measurement).

https://dam-assets.fluke.com/s3fs-public/166x____umeng0100.pdf


So the same as the icon with a spike on a wave I am used to seeing on my Megger testers indicating a possibly less than accurate result due to installation conditions rather than a fault with the tester.


It was trying to get reliable loop test results under less than perfect conditions on less than perfect installations that led me to buying a Megger two wire loop tester 

https://uk.megger.com/2-wire-non-tripping-high-resolution-loop-testers-ltw425


The downside of the dedicated two wire tester is it is slow, oh, so slow. Having said that it appears that the full test time for a lo-3 wire test on the Megger MFT1741 is three minutes 


So having thought that when I bought my new MFT that can do lo-2 wire loop tests I would be getting rid of the dedicated no trip 2 wire tester, it looks like I will be keeping it.


Regards the original post it looks like you will have to spend more time testing disconnecting loads and other circuits or try a different tester.


Andy Betteridge 

I still don’t understand why one would be bothered with all that palaver. A wander lead test is a quick and easy method to confirm earth connections are present. Sure it has its limitations but standing with your finger placed somewhere dark while you wait impatiently for a relatively unreliable low current Zs test seems that your time could be put to better use. 

Where polarity is also to be confirmed  other than at socket outlets then the R1+R2 method is no less of a task than with a loop tester, safer too!

Do you issue a minor works certificate for something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch?


If so when doing something as basic as changing a light fitting or switch, do you dismantle the consumer unit for testing?


Doing a loop test at a light switch or fitting confirms polarity and the presence of an earth allowing you to fill two boxes in on the certificate, as well as confirming touch voltage will be acceptable and the circuit protective devices will operate.


If you do R2 or R1+R2 you may need to dismantle the consumer unit to test Zdb and test the resistance of the circuit protective conductor to get the required result.


I had a conversation about this in the office of the printers when I went to finalise my order for my new MWC pads, I asked them what they would say if I said I needed to shut the printing workshop down to access the main distribution board for testing just to change a light fitting in the office? They laughed at me.


I worked on a circuit supplying the servers at another firm, it took 45 minutes to shut the servers down to do the final connection of the new part of the installation and test it which was less than 5 minutes work, but the servers were actually off for the best part of an hour taking their website down costing them sales. Okay the delay was due to the servers updating once they were instructed to turn off, but that is the way things are now.


I think most installation electricians consider an earth loop test as the quick and easy minimal testing that should be done. So they want a tester that will just do it without any messing about.


I was told when I did the testing and inspection course nearly twenty years ago that with new work and alterations to an existing installation when it comes to the verification at the end of the work, the inspection is 97% of the verification and the testing should take less than 3% of the time, the testing is just confirming what you have already determined by inspection, so you shouldn’t get carried away with the testing and get over involved with it.


 Andy Betteridge 

Even when doing a ze I get error 5 sometimes. So cant be any noise in the property. Fluke are bloody useless at getting back to me. Called again today, someone from the Netherlands was supposed to call me back, as there was no one available in the uk apparently. The technical guy must be on holiday at Brean sands.

Fluke is American, Megger is English. Installations there and here are different. Granted, the laws of physics are the same, but could the origins of the instruments explain the difficulties?

Fred, why dont you email their tech support. Tbh when I did have issues they answered all my questions and were very helpful, guess it really depends who's on the other end of the phone. 


Regards TS

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I spent a weekend at Brean Sands in the middle of February at a chalet park many years ago when my kids were still in the double push chair with the big clear plastic cover over the front of it, definitely the best way to travel on Brean Sands when the sleet is coming across the “ beach” horizontally.


It was one of those free holidays given away by a national newspaper, the highlight was supposed to be that the Saturday night entertainment was a live music show featuring The Wurzels, they were as good as the weather.


Happy Days!


Andy B.