Warning over socket testers
April 1st 2008 Electrical installations need to
be regularly checked to ensure
they remain safe. This is
especially important in areas
where electrical sockets or
wiring is likely to become
damaged.
"Socket testers are designed
to identify a variety of faults
with socket wiring, but many
commonly used socket testers
cannot reveal a poor earth
that could lead to someone
being killed," warns the HSE.
"A socket might have a
poor earth for years with no
visible signs. However, when
an appliance plugged into it
develops a fault, earthed
metalwork can become
permanently live at a
dangerous voltage. This
could give the user a fatal
electric shock, or cause a
fire." (www.hse.gov. uk/
electricity/socket1.htm).
Steve Dunning, md of
Martindale Electric,
recommends that users of
simple socket testers consult
the above HSE website. He
says: "Martindale has
introduced the E-Ze 150, a
socket tester that gives an
accurate indication of earth
loop impedance in bands.
Now, users can buy a small
plug-top shaped socket
tester testing the quality of
the earth for less than £50."
There are three types of
socket tester: simple,
advanced and professional.
Simple socket testers can
detect various faults but
cannot identify some
extremely dangerous poor
earth faults. Advanced and
professional socket testers
can measure the earth fault
loop impedance on indicator
lights or a digital display. More articles from Martindale Electric Ltd: | 
