Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 589 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Proving Unit Recommendations

Farmboy
So what make of proving unit(s) are you using and any issues with it/them?


Thanks.


F
  • 0
    I have owned a Martindale proving unit for over ten years and I cannot remember the last time I used it.


     Andy B
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    I have owned a Martindale proving unit for over ten years and I cannot remember the last time I used it.




    Surely every time when you have undertaken safe isolation? ?


     

  • 0
    The days of replaceable filament lamps being used in voltage indicators has long gone as far as most people are concerned, there cannot be many left in use and there cannot be many testers that they can be fitted in left in use and any that are may well have had a retrofit LED lamp fitted.

    https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F281299122931


    I know that modern testers are not infallible, but I bought a new Fluke T150 and a Fluke T6-1000 today which I along with the good quality testers I already have means I can double check in situations where I doubt the effectiveness of the means of isolation.


    When I am working I normally have at least two means of measuring voltage readily to hand.


    Andy Betteridge 


  • 0
    It's very rare for there to be a site with NO mains power available at least in my line of work (house badgering  mostly with a distinct slant to faultfinding) so using a live circuit to prove the tester is often more convenient. But for when it's needed, I have a seward unit in the bag. Works well and reliably. The only bit I don't like is using the lever of the microswitch itself as one of the contacts, it's a less than ideal conductor and often you have to prod around to get a good contact. However that could be viewed as a feature I guess
  • 0
    I still use a Drummond incandescent test lamp.

    Proving unit is home made and consists 11 batteries each 9 volts connected in series.
  • 0
    I too use a drummond test lamp :) plus an american unit made by Ideal that's got neon for voltage present/polarity and an electromagnetic plunger for approximate voltage. Probably calibrated for 60Hz but seems reasonably accurate, and the probes comply with GS38, not so much with the drummond MTL7, but I attached retractable rubber covers to fix that
  • 0
    Along with the Martindale proving unit I have the Martindale voltage indicator that I bought at the same time, it gets used, but not daily.


    If you isolate something like a consumer unit or distribution the input terminals stay live, so checking the tester is easy using those terminals.


    I am more concerned about identifying false positives, when the tester indicates the voltage has been removed, but is still there. Just because you have followed the correct procedure and have had the correct indications doesn’t mean the voltage is no longer present.


    Andy Betteridge
  • 0
    Having bought a new a new Fluke T6-1000 I am actually reading the instructions and I am looking at the available accessories.


    There is a dedicated Fluke FieldSense proving unit  available for Around £120


    So maybe I should be putting my Martindale proving unit on EBay and upgrading.


    The  Fluke T150 I also bought has a self test to show all the indicators work, 


    Andy Betteridge 




Community Rules & Guidelines