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18th Edition amendment one. Volt drop measurement, who is spreading the rumour we need new testers?

Sparkingchip
Who is the test equipment manufacturer and/ or importer spreading the rumour that we will need new volt drop testers?


Out of interest I have tried an internet search for volt drop testers than can be used to test UK fixed installations and drew a blank with only testers suitable for use in the USA at lower voltages coming up in the search results along with results for auto electrics.


Andy
  • 0
    I was thinking of something more like the Ideal Sure Test


    But the manufacturer seems to be suggesting that it can be used to identify problems that UK electricians identify using continuity and loop testers, so I’m not sure if would really be beneficial to add one to our tool kits.


    Andy
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    I have just looked at the Martindale tester data sheet and I am not seeing anything in the specification specifically about measuring voltage drop.


    Perhaps I am wrong, but I assumed a voltage drop tester would allow you to test using a dummy load of 6, 10, 16, 20, 32 or 40 amps so that you can instantly test a standard circuit without having to connect loads actually to the circuit by for example turning all the lights on or plugging in electric heaters. . . 




    I agree, it isn’t on the data sheet, but it is on page 50 of the ET4000/ET4500 manual. 


    Regards,


    Alan. 

  • 0
    The Martindale does not appear to be applying a dummy load, just doing a back of a f** packet calculation for you.


    If you were verifying a new socket radial circuit you would need to take some electric heaters or other such appliances with you to verify the installation in am unoccupied property or the like. 


    My Megger loop tester will will calculate r1+r2 after you have taken a reference reading at the distribution board or consumer unit, the Martindale appears to do the same for voltage drop without applying a dummy load.


    That seems a bit pointless without the ability to apply a dummy load except for dedicated appliance circuits where the appliance can be powered up whilst measuring the connection terminal voltage. 


    Andy
  • 0
    LOL 


    The forum software has redacted  f a g   when I used it to describe a cigarette!


    If the Ideal Sure Test is redesigned for the UK market I will consider getting one, but I’m not sure it would get much use. However I suspect that a manufacturer may try and hoodwink us into buying a chocolate teapot of a tester that won’t really do a satisfactory volt drop test and certainly nothing that we cannot do with the testers we already have and a calculation on the back of a cigarette packet.


    Andy
  • 0
    Arsenal football club 


    Well that could not get past the old forum software.
  • 0
    Here is another make of American tester that does volt drop calculations using an applied load.


    Unless something like Amprobe or the Ideal tester that tests using an applied load is redesigned for the UK market I don’t think I will consider buying a “volt drop tester”  and I’ll just carry on as I am.


    Andy
  • 0
    I have had a look at the Martindale data sheet on a bigger screen than my phone, it calculates the voltage drop from the measured impedances at the test point and at the reference point upfront of the circuit in the distribution board taking into account the rating of the circuit protective device, rather than applying a load.
  • 0
    I agree. It uses the technique for measuring the phase to neutral impedance by drawing a high current briefly. It then uses this figure for the volt drop calculation. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

    I have had a look at the Martindale data sheet on a bigger screen than my phone, it calculates the voltage drop from the measured impedances at the test point and at the reference point upfront of the circuit in the distribution board taking into account the rating of the circuit protective device, rather than applying a load.




     

    Precisely! See my note above. Maybe the hot Easter sun has got to JW - the presentation falls short of his usual standard. Let's stop all this nonsense about measuring voltage and applying loads. You wouldn't pass your C&G if you tried that approach. ?
  • 0

    Chris Pearson:




    Sparkingchip:

    I have had a look at the Martindale data sheet on a bigger screen than my phone, it calculates the voltage drop from the measured impedances at the test point and at the reference point upfront of the circuit in the distribution board taking into account the rating of the circuit protective device, rather than applying a load.




     

    Precisely! See my note above. Maybe the hot Easter sun has got to JW - the presentation falls short of his usual standard. Let's stop all this nonsense about measuring voltage and applying loads. You wouldn't pass your C&G if you tried that approach. ?

     




    With a glass of beer on hand I entered the search term “measuring voltage drop IET” and it returned numerous discussions from the old forum as the search results.


    I landed on This little gem from over eleven years ago.


    What do you fancy, two people each with a volt meter and a two way radio or a twin wander lead connected to the load terminals and run back to the source of the circuit?


    Plugging your  voltage tester into one side of a double socket and having some fan heaters plugged into a multiple socket adapter on the other side of the double socket then flicking them on and off to see what difference it makes to the voltage is not looking so daft; actually it is something I have done in real life to assess a ridiculously long circuit that a customer wanted made even longer.

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