The MFT test off with

Around 100 years ago two giants in the science community (Ernest Rutherford and Niels Bohr) met up in Manchester, England. To discuss the nature of reality and the structure of the Atom.
Today David and I met up in Manchester to do no such thing.
We have however, brought all our Multi function Testers together for a little test off and general chat about the difference between them and pros and cons.
Sit back with a nice brew (coffee would be best as it will keep you awake) as we ramble on about trip times, Zs readings and the shape of our marvellous instruments.
In terms of the video content, this was at the end of quite a long day of filming other bits and doing some actual work. The homeowners were desperate to get their house back as David and I had taken over the place with tools, laptops, multi function testers, recording equipment and general sparky mess!
Apologies for the poor audio in parts and even poorer focus on the video when zooming in. Although the camera stays fixed on David's tripod, it picks up audio from everywhere as I didn't have my mic.
For those interested? Here are the results from the test off:
Metrel MI3100s - Zs 0.39 Ohm in 11.7 seconds. RCD 19.9 ms.
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Kewtech KT65DL - Zs 0.42 Ohm in 13.6 seconds (when plugged in) 9.98 seconds with TEST button pushed. RCD 9.98ms
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TIS MFT PRO - Zs 0.26 Ohm in 15.09 seconds. RCD 17ms
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Megger 1721 - Zs 0.30 Ohm in 16.9 seconds (when plugged in) 14.42 seconds with TEST button pushed RCD 39.8ms
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Metrel MI3152 - Zs 0.29 Ohm in 11.58 seconds. RCD 19.9ms
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BEHA Unitest Telaris 0100 plus - Zs 0.30 Ohm in 4.42 seconds (first attempt) 8.92 seconds when set to NO TRIP but Zs went up to 0.57 Ohm. RCD 19ms
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As always guys thanks for watching and for goodness sake don't copy anything we do! We are fully qualified and trained in the art of talking crap and messing about.
#Metrel #Megger #Kewtech

[@markanstey2654]

That touch screen Metrel is way too complicated in my opinion. I just want to turn a dial and hit a button to do an earth loop test - not press the screen half a dozen times. Best thing about the megger is the 2 wire no trip test (which I couldn't do without) and the max zs reading - great when testing loads of socket outlets.

[@JayTheSparky]

I do love a collaboration and it’s got two of my favourites on here 🙌🏻 Love my Kewtech KT64, it’s and old dog but it’s so easy to use, small, works and is consistent with the readings & always calibrates and RCD times all on one screen is a real bonus, so don’t really see the need to change. I’ve also got a Megger 1731 (the reachable one with the Bluetooth function for results I think) but this is my back up tester as I just prefer the Kewtech have had mine about 7 years and it was second hand when I got it but has earned its money!

[@garethblake3941]

Very interesting video and commentary. Keep up the good work and stay safe with a merry Christmas and a happy New year to you all.

[@JBE]

Merry Christmas Gareth 🎅

[@weekendmasterelectrician5900]

Great content. Thanks

[@muzikman2008]

Great to see you both in another collab.. 😁👍 Love my KT65DL. Straight forward no nonsense use, and battery life is amazing too. Happy Christmas Dave & James, hope you have a great new year.

[@JBE]

Happy Christmas to you too muzikman 🖖💡

[@acespark1]

I loved hearing the kids fighting in the background when you are testing the BEHA Unitest, which I used to own. Real life getting in the way. 👍🏻😎🐔

[@JBE]

The homeowners were so good while David and I kept tripping the power off and messing with testers. Like I said in the description this was at the end of the day and our little test off was taking longer than expected.

[@three-phase562]

The relays clicking are switching the load on and off, to generate the current flow that is used to make the measurements. They may also me switching the internal shunt as well, depends on the instrument design. I would be inclined to inspect the leads on the units that gave the higher readings, they may be worn or dirty and affecting the reading. I don't have my main Chauvin Arnoux unit at the moment, but my backup MFT is the RS Pro MT-6600, which I believe is a rebadged CEM unit, and takes 6.8 seconds for a no-trip loop test.

[@JBE]

6.8 seconds that does sound a quick response. Yes we were far from lab conditions and even further in the knowledge department on some of these beauties. Thank you the comment, I can see why the leads would make a difference. 👍

[@frankmcalinden3699]

That was interesting stuff...reminds me i need to get my Oz version of the cb200 and test my meters !!

[@brianhewitt8618]

i love my old relic the fluke 1653b, still going strong for 15+ years now, merry Christmas

[@JBE]

Merry Christmas Brian and Happy New Year 🎉

[@timhoward7037]

Still using a KT63, nice and simple, main irritation is constantly re-plugging test leads into different sockets for different tests. My spare is a Metrel 3125 original (not BT), the baby one that's narrow and tall. Somewhere I have a Robin that's the same as a KT62. It might be fun to compare them, if I do I'll submit timings. Have a great Christmas and happy new year.

[@JBE]

Happy New Year to you Tim and yes, get those comparisons up.

[@electrician247]

Nice to see you two together. 💪. Lovely video.

[@JBE]

Cheers Mark, I'll pop a link on the video to your video with the TIS, as I know you've gone into greater depth with power quality analysis.

[@dsesuk]

Cheers Mark. There are other pictures of the two of us together; I've just popped them in the post to you as you seemed interested. If you want to send back some Polaroids of yourself, I'll DM you James' address.

[@JBE]

@@dsesuk FFS 🤣

[@electrician247]

@@dsesuk James and I already have each other on only fans. Having watched Monday club this week I see you prefer the printed variety 🤭. Will drop some in the mail lol.

[@billdoodson4232]

As my MI3152 was handy in the cellar, (just finishing off installing a standby generator) so I gave it a quick loop test at 12 seconds on the old wrist watch. Does far more than I ever will need, but just fell for the pretty face of that touch screen. My son will probably make more use of it than me as he is starting out as an industrial spark in his first year of his apprenticship.

[@superiorbeing95]

I mentioned about melting plugs on fan heaters other week, I swapped the plugs over to some decent ones from RS and they don't even get that warm, so Tescos selling fire hazard fan heaters, interesting if you come across any, happy new year

[@slimski]

Awesome stereo sound in the headphones 🎧. I thought it was in the room I’m in!

[@JBE]

Glad to hear the audio came out ok 👍

[@tonyaskew7750]

Hmmm I actually have been using the uni test for many years, in fact it’s my third one , where the other two were labelled up slightly different , but still 16th edition. I too got my first back in 2000 & dot. So easy to use and couldn’t bring myself to an upgrade. Funnily enough this one has broken now too and it’s a mine field for me now at 53. I’m erring towards a megger or fluke , but they all look so complicated . I’ve spent a few days now trying to decide . More research ………

[@olly7673]

Thanks guys, I love my Megger 1741+. Their warranty and support is solid. I was tempted at the recent Elex at Sandown with both the Mi3152 and Kewtech KT66 but both were ridiculously expensive. Kewtech are known historically for their great value quality kit but affordable pricing, but not any more. Dilog, on the other hand, as mentioned by a commentor just seem inexpensive.

[@gino2465]

And dilog still gives your results

[@olly7673]

@@gino2465 I agree. To me is a bit like saying a SsangYong car will keep achieve the same result as a Mercedes at getting you safely from A to B but there something about driving one over the other. Also, which will last the longer when you use our every day. You get what you pay for.

[@Aldoraine31]

Just tested my Megger 1741+ and it does loop in 6.6 seconds on the no trip setting. Be interested to see what the fluke 1664 does for what it’s worth

[@gmeadowcroft84]

I Use a Fluke 1662, I wanted a megga as it was what I did all my training on and I was comfortable with it. To be honest I like my fluke but I genuinely think MFT choice, comes down to what your used to. Yes my fluke is a boring bit of kit compared to the fancy, dancey Matrel with touch screen but it does what I need and Im comfortable with it. Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year JBeck and Davo…. Love the colabs

[@JBE]

I've got his fancy pants Metrel and he's not getting it back 🥸👍

[@gmeadowcroft84]

@@JBE did you get him stupidly drunk and swipe it lol 😂…. To be fair I think Dave is permanently drunk

[@JBE]

@@gmeadowcroft84 I took it while he was admiring my Telaris MFT

[@MathewLiamHowarth]

Might have to use the time off to put my Robin kts 1630, Kewtech kt63, metrel 3100s to the test. I'm trying to find a seaward powerplus 1557 to see how that fairs out against bigger mft's.

[@asamitchell7948]

I had a kewtech kt65dl at my previous company is was bulletproof the 8 AA batteries lasted ages before changing and the only thing that really broke down on them were the test leads I never ever had a problem with mine.

[@JBE]

If there's one thing I don't like about my Kewtech it's the neck strap. It's too thin and cheap. However, unlike others it is easy to click off when not required.

[@asamitchell7948]

@@JBE I used a seat belt cover for mine little trick from my paper round days.

[@JBE]

@@asamitchell7948 great idea 👍

[@JacobKelly02]

When world's collide 😮

[@JayTheSparky]

Totally agree about the Megger or Fluke comment, seems to be the vast majority of people seem to think it’s just those two. I do like Meggers but Fluke MFTS really not a fan, like everything else fluke do the voltage pens the T5’s I love but the MFTS I’m not a fan of. There’s loads of other decent brands for all budgets, Kewtech, TIS, DiLog, Metrel etc think there’s a lot of brand snobbery, I know Some sparks that can literally only use a Megger to test & that’s it.

[@JBE]

Another problem with the Megger I find is the erratic readings I get when the leads keep working loose.

[@JayTheSparky]

@@JBE Yes I’ve found the same, have to say my Kewtech is always consistent like yours it’s why I keep using it as my day to day

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

Megger LT300 😍😍😍 fast tester and goes for ages without a tea break ☕☕☕✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️

[@patmcglone594]

TWAT, love it!

[@JBE]

Tango-Whisky-Alpha-Tango

[@AndyK.1]

45:50 I just want to see some j beck videos lol

[@Cablesmith]

You can actually turn the meggers auto start function off btw

[@JBE]

I know nothing 🤏😬😉

[@seandempsey7351]

Fantastic video guy’s But why spend a bucket load of money on an all bells and whistles MFT ? As David said he will never use most of the extra functions on his metrell . I will stick to my trusty Robin KTS 1620 MFT and my kewtech Kt 63 . Also why do people keep banging on about calibration? There are know serviceable parts in any of these testers, Calibration is simply hooking the tester up to a power station and seeing if the two units have matching readings to within a certain tolerance, ie your check box is simply the same thing? . Fantastic video as always 👍👍👍❤️

[@JBE]

Cheers for watching Sean. I agree, I've had my Kewtech with me for 7 years now and it's never let me down. I'm sure the all singing all dancing Metrel will get all it's buttons bashed by someone who requires those features?

[@J0nny61]

Have you wondered how the no trip Zs works? Anyone remember Robin's when they brought out D-Lock?? It's a fair bet that D Lock meant DC lock and you heard the relays clicking in as DC current was injected to blind the type AC RCD, disable it in other words while the Zs test was carried out. In Germany , from the mid 80's all RCD's had to be type A due to the increased use of switch mode power supplies, inverters etc used in common appliances. We are only just catching up now where BS7671 recognises that EV charging, solar PV inverters etc. can produce DC fault currents. What is strange is that BS7671 only requires the AC function of RCD's to be tested. Having said that switchgear manufacturers testing instructions would trump the requirements of BS7671, but then again, how many manufacturers say that?

[@JBE]

Yep, BS7671 is always lagging behind somewhat. Although I'm interested to see what happens if AFDDs "Shall be used" comes in in 2022 🤔

[@J0nny61]

@@JBE I can ask my colleague's on the JPEL64 committee about that, but I think it is going to depend on the type of circuit. I'm pretty certain that all general purpose RCD's will be type A when amendment 2 comes in. Great video by the way and thank you.

[@7chappers]

It was a while ago but you had a play with my KT65DL at a kitchen and utility rewire job I tagged along at. Must of been a few years ago.

[@RichardArblaster]

Great videos guys 😎

[@JBE]

Cheers Richard, glad you didn't fall asleep during 🥴

[@RichardArblaster]

@J Beck Electrical I must confess, I did fall asleep, not because the content was boring, just lack of energy over the last few days 😆😆😆

[@JBE]

@@RichardArblaster Dr Beck prescribes lots of DSES videos back to back all Christmas with plenty of Whisky three times a day.

[@RichardArblaster]

@@JBE will do 🤣🤣🤣

[@christianward1411]

30:52 Thats me!!. I watched the while thing and only watch David's channel for the banter, in the hopes I may learn something! follow me for DIY 3 Phase anyone. Lol

[@alunroberts1439]

If I knew you was so close I would of called over for a selfie 🤳

[@JBE]

Maybe next time?

[@alunroberts1439]

@@JBE You need to do a video were you crock clip each other and zap each other. Then me thinks I should just grow up and act my age. But then again were is the fun in that.

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

Is calibration a little bit of a con? All calibrated MFTs resulted in different readings, as did the MFT that hadn't been calibrated for a decade. However, its results were in line with the others. Calibration or not, the results clustered around the same kind of area.

[@three-phase562]

Most electricians won't have a hoard of MFTs like this pair have though and they won't carry out multiple tests using different instruments and compare the results. They will likely only test with the one meter and only ever query a result if the reading does not meet specs. Independent calibration therefore offers them a confidence factor that the instrument is working as the manufacturer intended. As more calibration results are obtained, the confidence factor increases. That confidence in the results is then passed over to the customer who the work is being done for. Test equipment these days is highly reliable and it isn't unusual for instruments to stay within calibration. My Fluke 73 is 28 years old and still passes cal, the problem is, how do I show that it it isn't tested against other instrumentation / standards?

[@acelectricalsecurity]

When I had my Megger cm500 I always used it to save the test results, that's when I was using nice one software, once that tester packed in I stopped saving the results, it's quicker to write them in a pad. I prefer a dial, a lot of these testers have functions you will never use so it's a waste of money.

[@Cablesmith]

First 😏

[@Tryingtimes007]

FFS it’s ‘Butch Cassidy & The Sundance kid’ which one can’t swim?

[@JBE]

Plenty of raindrops falling on our heads up here in Manchester.

[@markhardacre1]

Where are the Flukes ?

[@JBE]

Technically speaking there is a Fluke in there somewhere 👍

[@RichardArblaster]

Second 😜

[@Cablesmith]

You win absolutely nothing for that 😂

[@RichardArblaster]

@Cablesmith Electrical My hilarious reply got deleted. 😆😆😆

[@Cablesmith]

@@RichardArblaster hahahahaa doesn’t surprise me

[@AndyNichol]

What's that little laptop Dave has there ?

[@JBE]

That's no laptop.. that's his phone. He prefers physical keys you can press over the modern touch screen. I'll be honest with you I want one ! But I would definitely miss the smoothness of my Samsungs screen. David should do a video of it. 😉👍

[@dsesuk]

The Cosmo Communicator Andy. Me and three other people in the world own one.

[@MathewLiamHowarth]

@@dsesuk I have seen this in some of your videos and assumed it was the fxtec pro 1. I recently swapped out my blackberry key 2 for a oppo something or other, and the battery life is outstanding, but they keyboard is poor, and it's prediction and autocorrect are miserable at keeping up with my fat fingers.

[@AndyNichol]

@@dsesuk looks like they copied the Psion 5mx keyboard. What version of Android does it run.

[@ericthekingthekingtheking4842]

Why do mfts vary in price so much from make to make? Surely theyv all got the same thing in em, you look at Dilog test equipment great value for money but you dont see much of it about, everybody wants meggar or fluke

[@JBE]

I often find Megger fanboys will big up their equipment by saying it's British and not like that other Chinese crap. All this while they own an iphone that was made by a slave in China for £1