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#47056 01/07/05 03:50 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
S
SJT Offline OP
Member
Has any-one heard about the tester we've been using for years, (Ideal-wiggins) as far as it having problems if left on a test for longer than 20 seconds or so?
I work for a Major research facility, and we are not allowed to use either the Sq.D wiggys or the ideal testers. I think it has something to do with the solonoid in the testers. We have switched to the Fluke T5-600 digital. Has anyone heard of an accident with a wiggins type tester during a test?

#47057 01/07/05 04:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 75
B
Member
Most solenoid testers like this are only rated for intermittent duty (I'm not sure how many seconds/minutes this means).

The inrush current by these solenoid testers may cause a problem on sensitive equipment.

We work with a lot of PLC I/O and prefer to use solenoid testers for checkout, although there are good times when an electronic meter is required.

Solenoid testers are more likeley to give a true indication if a point is on or off. "Leaky" triacs on an output module tends to make liars out of electronic meters, even real good ones like Fluke 87's, T5-1000, etc.

Induced voltage or noise on input wiring will cause a false reading on electronic meters also.

#47058 01/07/05 05:21 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
Member
SJT,

I don't know if this is related, but there was a recall on some testers in 2003:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum14/HTML/000459.html


Bill
#47059 01/07/05 05:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,116
Likes: 4
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Bill
#47060 01/07/05 08:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
Ideal makes a model called the vol-con elite - with or without solenoid. Both also offer NCV & continuity detection.

#47061 01/07/05 09:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
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Bill,
Quote
Most solenoid testers like this are only rated for intermittent duty (I'm not sure how many seconds/minutes this means).
Usually, solenoid type testers have a maximum of 30 seconds, where they can be connected to the voltage under test.
I think also, that as the voltage gets higher (towards the tester limit) this time allowance gets shorter. [Linked Image]


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