Working on your own? Need some technical advice? Don’t know where to turn? The technical team at Megger answers the latest technical query from end users.
YOU ASK:
I WANT A ROBUST AND COMPACT TESTER THAT I CAN TAKE ANYWHERE AND USE TO RELIABLY PROVE THAT CIRCUITS ARE DEAD BEFORE I START WORKING ON THEM. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
MEGGER SAYS:
You need a two-pole tester but, as this is a safety critical application, you should be sure that it complies with the relevant standard: IEC/EN 61243-3. You’ll also need to confirm that it will continue to show whether circuits are live, even if its batteries are flat or missing. Our recommendation is the Megger TPT420. This has an LED display that gives a quick indication of the voltage in the circuit under test and an LCD panel that gives a three-digit voltage readout. It measures up to 1,000 V AC and 1,500 V DC, and it doesn’t trip RCDs. It has a handy continuity test function plus, for added safety, an acoustic sounder for both continuity and voltage measurements. There’s also a torch feature that’s useful when working in poorly lit locations. The TPT420 has an IP64 ingress protection rating and is supplied with GS38 probe tip shrouds. Don’t forget that when proving a circuit is dead, you’ll also need access to a known live source to check your tester. For this, the Megger MPU690 proving unit is an ideal companion for the TPT420.
Visit the Megger TPT420 Voltage Tester product information page here
Catch up on more ‘Made 2 Measure’ queries here
