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Transparent

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Topic starter 29/11/2022 12:05 pm

Mains socket and RCD trip tester

I needed to replace a broken mains socket. No problem - that's permitted without needing to employ an accredited professional electrician.

Once completed I had intended to check the connection using my "Martindale" test plug, but alas, it was nowhere to be found. Looking online I found that there was a newer model which also did a Loop Test, and it also checked that an RCD tripped when it should.

However, the coveted EZ365 sells for around £65 which is nearly 5x the cost of the basic model. There were numerous alternatives made in the Far East, but this is a safety-checking tool, and I'm unsure if I could trust a very low-cost unit. Martindale are highly regarded for this technology, and used by a high percentage of electricians.

As I'm starting to investigate off-grid storage and inverters which can deliver 240v AC, what I'd really like is a full domestic circuit check tool. But these are calibrated test-boxes costing £500+. I can't substantiate that expense for the infrequent occasions when I'd use it.

Continuing online research, I came across mains RCD test units made by Uni-T, which I traced back to the manufacturer's own AliExpress shop.

That Model UT582 did what I wanted and cost not much more than the Martindale EZ365 RCD Test Plug. But importing it from China was going to take a couple of months, delayed more than usual due to their current Covid restrictions.

And that's when I found the same item re-badged Multicomp and available next day delivery from CPC, part of the Farnell group of companies. At £90+VAT it was a massive saving on the professional testers, and I didn't need the annual calibration certification anyway.

The Multicomp MP780430 test unit arrives as a kit. It has a pair of black/red probes and two mains-socket test-cables (UK and European). Those socket test-cables normally sell for around £25 each! There's a fabric carry case and a strap to hold the device around your neck whilst working.

It requires six AA-size cells to power it, but those were also included. In time I'll replace them with long-life lithium cells, more appropriate for a safety-check tool which gets used only occasionally.

The CPC kit is a better bundle than was available direct from China, and also comes with the warranty of a reputable British company behind it.

This topic was modified 3 years ago 6 times by Transparent

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