Professional electricians always have various reliable, compact, and durable tools at their disposal. Among them should be a range of quality testing and troubleshooting equipment. As a business owner in the industry, you must ensure your team has access to fully functional, versatile testing tools at all times.
This article will highlight four vital testing tools and discuss how these tools can benefit your electrical business.
- Clamp meters
A clamp meter—also known as a clamp-on ammeter or a current clamp—is a versatile tool featuring an internal AC clamp. Clamp meters allow you to safely measure current without disconnecting or deactivating the circuit or device itself.
With a clamp meter in hand, there’s no need to cut into the wire to take an inline measurement. The meter’s jaws will never need to touch a conductor while measuring—making the tool much safer and more convenient than traditional methods.
You’ll most often use clamp meters for:
- Repairing existing systems
- Basic electrical testing
- Earth ground testing
- Troubleshooting installation issues
- Performing scheduled maintenance
- Performing final circuit tests
The three main types of clamp meter are:
- Hall Effect (AC and DC)
- Flexible (AC)
- Current transformer (AC)
While each type has its differences, the main function is the same. A conductor passes through a probe—such as a clamp meter’s hard jaws—and the meter calculates the vector sum of currents moving through the conductor.
- Digital multimeters
A digital multimeter (DMM) is an extremely powerful testing tool, combining the abilities of an ohmmeter, ammeter, and voltmeter to form an all-in-one testing machine.
Digital multimeters often boast additional, advanced features to serve specific needs. Generally, a standard DMM will feature:
- A screen—for displaying measurement readouts
- A rotary switch or dial—for selecting your measurement value
- Buttons—for selecting various additional functions
- Input jacks—where you’ll insert your test leads
To use a DMM, plug a test lead into the appropriate input jack. The lead will serve as a conductor from the item you’re assessing to the multimeter itself.
- Insulation testers
An insulation tester—also known as a megohmmeter—can help you identify issues with insulation and record the results within the meter. You can also access these results remotely and share them with coworkers or staff as needed.
These tools use a low current, high voltage DC charge to measure resistance within motor windings and wires. They will quickly identify faulty insulation or current leakage, reducing the risk of blown circuits, fires, and electrical shocks.
- Circuit testers
A circuit or receptacle tester will instantly identify hot, neutral, or ground lines within a circuit. Most models will also quickly identify any reversed hot and neutral or hot and ground lines.
You use a circuit tester by plugging it into an electrical socket. The meter will display a series of lights indicating the state of the wiring within the outlet.
Conclusion
To boost productivity and solve problems fast in the electrical industry, it’s crucial to have the right tools on hand. Always have the above equipment in your tool bag at all times, so you and your staff will be well-prepared for any issues that come your way.
