Electrical Testing Equipment for Home and Project Inspection

In a way, to reduce electrical hazards in our homes and workplace, electrical products undergo safety tests.

This is to make sure they are safe and reliable for public use.

Electrical testing involves using a test equipment to compare the rating of a product with the required standard.

A technician or an experienced electrician does the test using the required equipment.

What is electrical test equipment?

These are the electrical tools used to create signals and also capture responses from the product under test.

The tester measures and displays the quality of the device under test (DUT) so you can compare it with the required standard.

A product must pass the test to be safe for public use.

Why Do We Need Testing Equipment?

Testing equipment helps to validate the performance of all electrical or electronic devices.

It helps to identify the components that undergo timely degradation because of the device’s exposure to stress, such as heat, shocks, vibrations and fluctuating environmental conditions.

Measurement of electrical parameters such as capacitance, current, impedance, inductance, resistance and voltage helps to detect faults and defects in the device under test.

The test equipment measures these parameters to identify the errors and risks which, when corrected, lead to more effectiveness and reliability of the product.

What Job Roles Require the Use Of Electrical Testers?

There are several job roles and industries that make use of electrical test tools. They include:

  • Automotive engineers–mechanics use the test tool to trace electrical faults in a motor vehicle.
  • Electrical engineers–electrical engineers use this equipment when testing an appliance, and also during troubleshooting.
  • Electricians–electricians use the detector in their day to day work. They use it to install new components, find faults, and to perform safety checks.
  • Design engineers–design engineers use the test analyzer when building circuits or are testing their prototypes. They use it to test certain voltages and current levels, or resistance. They also use it for diagnostic tests.
  • Testing engineers–engineers that perform various tests such as PAT testing, voltage level testing, and others also use the testers. It helps them to gather readings and identify any faults with large-scale electrical circuits and systems. Without this electrical equipment, their jobs would be hard.

Below are the most used electrical testing tools.

Digital Multimeter

A multimeter, also called VOM (Volt-Ohm meter), is a circuit analyzer used to measure voltage, resistance, current, and frequency.

It is a multi-purpose tool used to troubleshoot electrical faults in both homes and industrial appliances, such as in the electrical wiring system, electronic equipment, power supplies and others.

They are of two types, the analog and digital multimeters (DMMs).

Analog multimeters use a microammeter with a moving pointer to display readings, while digitals display numeric readings. Digital multimeters are more accurate, cheaper, and easier to use.

Megohmmeter

The megohmmeter, also known as “Megger” is an electrical testing tool used to measure insulation resistance on cable jackets, circuit breakers, transformers, and so forth

The insulators usually undergo the test after production to make sure they are safe and can withstand high-voltage without damage.

Megohmmeter provides high DC voltage through battery powered internal circuitry or a power generator to output voltage ranging from 500 V to 15 KV at a specified current capacity for the test.

Ground Resistance Tester

This instrument helps to check for ground faults or earth leakage. It injects current into the earth between the test electrode and the probe, measures the voltage drop caused by the soil to the electrode, and then uses Ohm’s law to calculate the resistance.

Hipotential test equipent (Hipot)

Hipot or dielectric withstand test is used to test the dielectric strength of insulators.

During the test, they subject the insulation to a very high voltage and also ensure there is minimal leakage of current from the insulator to the ground.

Power recorder

Power recorder is a type of circuit tester used to record the data of current and voltage.

This data can be transferred into a software and analyzed if you want to know the condition of the electrical system.

Power recorder also helps to troubleshoot electrical faults such as flickers, sags, voltage swells, and poor power factors.

It is also used to measure electrical power consumption over time, which is useful for engineers planning to expand a system or customers that wish to audit their energy bills.

Clamp meter

A clamp meter is a non-contact voltage tester used to measure the current flow in a conductor.

It has two jaw probes which you can open and place around any conductor you want to test.

They are very useful in troubleshooting electrical problems.

LCR Meters

An LCR meter is a type of electrical device used to measure the inductance (L), capacitance (C) and resistance (R) of an electrical component.

Best practices to ensure safety when using electrical testing equipment.

When using these devices, safety should be your first priority to prevent potential injuries or accidents. Here are some best safety practices to follow.  

Read and follow the manufacturer’s guide line: Always read the manual and follow the instructions given for the safe use of the tester. Make sure you understand how to operate the equipment properly before using it.

Put on your personal protective equipment (PPE): Depending on the type of equipment you use, it may be necessary to wear your PPE such as gloves, safety google, helmet, and others, to prevent electrical shock or hazards

Ensure the equipment is in good condition: Before using the equipment, check for any signs of damage or wear and tear. If you notice any issues, do not use the equipment instead, have it repaired or replaced.

Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI): When using electrical testing equipment, it is important to use a GFCI to protect against electrical shock. A GFCI can detect a ground fault and shut off power to the equipment.

Never work on live equipment: When working on electrical systems, always turn off the power and verify that the equipment is de-energized before working on it. 

By following these best practices, you can help ensure the safe use of the equipment and prevent hazards.

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About mariaelectricals

Hi, I am Emmanuel Nwankwo, a commercial electrician and the founder of mariaelectricals.com. I established this blog to share my decades of work experience in electrical installations and repairs.