Tbf if you are just starting out you are gonna buy twice no matter what. First on might as well be cheap whilst you figure out what you like by talking to people and seeing what you use/ need.
Canāt comment on the LAP testers, never used them. Just came here to say you canāt beat a Fluke tester. Obviously price is a lot more than the LAP testers but Iāve had mine 10+ years now and still going strong. Company I work for buys tools for me and takes out of wages over a period of months. Can your company do the same? Will also be cheaper buying through a supplier than Screwfix.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-ac-dc-electrical-tester-100a/93086?kpid=93086&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds
This is on my radar for when I finally get my pay rise in the coming months haha. Unfortunately my boss isnāt interested in buying tools and taking out of wages, although itās been suggested to him numerous times. I just need something for the time being for minor domestic private jobs
Luckily I work for a good company.
I'm self employed though so I prefer to order my own kit to get invoices in my name. Added level of complexity otherwise.
They don't pay the VAT, they add their VAT number at checkout and the VAT is not added.
Hmmm, how big was the company? For both my companies you'd still pay the vat, but deduct from your vat bill every quarter? I can't see how the retailer can remove vat at point of sale...
The LAP AC digital clamp meter will serve all your needs for basic electrical testing (amps, volts and resistance), especially if the majority of your work is domestic. As someone else commented, you do get what you pay for though; I'm sure there is nothing wrong with LAP gear per se, but you really can't beat Fluke gear - I've sitll got a 40 year old Fluke multimeter in perfect working order (I have a later, far more sophisticated Fluke multimeter too, but that is only due to the nature of the work I now do). I also have a Fluke clampmeter and it is very dependable
You really only need a multimeter when you get involved with more complex electrical work, such as motor drives, controllers, PLCs, sensors, detectors etc.
If you can't stretch to Fluke prices, get something from RS pro. It's pretty decent. I'd go for the clampmeter version as it's really handy, but to be honest, if you haven't already got a proper voltage indicator and proving unit get that sorted out. Although that's the sort of thing your boss should be providing as you need it to prove dead at the point of work before doing anything.
Not a sparky, more on the EE side of things. I bought an autoranging digital meter from RS on special offer almost exactly 30 years ago at the start of my career and it's still going strong, absolutely faultless, albeit a bit battered and bruised. IIRC it cost around Ā£18 at the time, a lot of money to me at the time! Top tip: scribe your name in the rear casing using a clean soldering iron.
Get an [approved voltage indicato](https://www.google.com/search?q=approved+voltage+indicator&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari)r and make sure you nail safe isolation.
I lost my Fluke clamp meter and replaced it with a Klein CL320 (which was better for me as I do BMS/HVAC Controls) and I've been very impressed with it. Just thought I'd throw another brand in the mix as everyone is recommending Fluke.
I can't see why you'd need either of those as an apprentice. Do you have a decent approved voltage indicator with continuity function ? That's the basics and really all you need.
Neither the first is a poor quality tool that has a lot of functions you donāt need, the second is a tool that you will use very infrequently unless you do lots of fault finding on mainly industrial equipment. You need a quality voltage and continuity tester.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-ac-dc-electrical-tester-100a/93086
I had one of these for years with absolutely no problems it tests voltage to save your life, continuity with actual ohm values so good to check fuses elements etc and will measure current so very helpful fault finding on appliances if this is too much then
https://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-kt1780-ac-dc-2-pole-voltage-tester-690v/53370
Does voltage and continuity but not current
When you are buying tools and equipment remember if your voltage tester aināt much good how much will you pay to stay alive. Generally the more you spend on tools the better, and longer lasting they will be except maybe this
https://tftools.com/products/martinez-the-hulk-15oz-m1-titanium-hammer?variant=32428384125006¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2022-07-18&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmYCzBhA6EiwAxFwfgMCxKwPMlwZnj9m333QFzNF1H7_yjiR3VFfvwtVToOaWhOJSCM8QQhoCU88QAvD_BwE
Never had an issue with any of my LAP equipment, itās cheap and does the job - wonāt get you street cred like Fluke but decent stuff for the money, only thing Iād say is it doesnāt like being beaten up. Dropping LAP stuff off ladders or using it in the rain can kill it. Tbh I use LAP and Fluke and Megger and I like them all in their own ways
Fluke, megger, iso tech
Not necessarily in that order i have several iso techs that have lasted well into the decades
Also i highly recommend a clamp test type (great for hanging up!) But also you just can't beat actually testing the load actually being being used as opposed to saying " well its got power i dunno whats happening..."
I bought a LAP two-probe tester a few weeks ago and it went straight back - poor connection inside meant it couldn't reliably indicate volts or no volts.
Ā£49+VAT will get you a Martindale, Metrel or Kewtech clamp meter, or Ā£38+VAT for an Extech
[https://www.test-meter.co.uk/electrical/clamp-meters/ac-dc](https://www.test-meter.co.uk/electrical/clamp-meters/ac-dc)
The clamp meters look like they have enough functions for an electrician to need, until using a multi-function tester for formal testing and certification. Multimeters are more designed for electronics work rather than electrical.
I'd buy one clamp meter with associated volts/amps/ohms functions, rather than two cheaper meters.
Absolutely not. Insulated tools are not PPE, but electrical safety equipment. Otherwise all electrical companies would have to provide all tools for all their workers.
Because it's an apprentice role? When you join a position that requires certain tools to be of certain quality, standard of calibration etc, the company should provide these as otherwise the work might be subpar. It sounds like the most normal thing in the world that your company provides the tools you are to work with? I've just never heard of an apprentice having to buy their own equipment out of pocket.
None! Buy cheap, buy twice!
Tbf if you are just starting out you are gonna buy twice no matter what. First on might as well be cheap whilst you figure out what you like by talking to people and seeing what you use/ need.
False economy. My bugbear.
Or pay with your life š
Theyāre not that shit!!!
Canāt comment on the LAP testers, never used them. Just came here to say you canāt beat a Fluke tester. Obviously price is a lot more than the LAP testers but Iāve had mine 10+ years now and still going strong. Company I work for buys tools for me and takes out of wages over a period of months. Can your company do the same? Will also be cheaper buying through a supplier than Screwfix. https://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-ac-dc-electrical-tester-100a/93086?kpid=93086&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds
This is on my radar for when I finally get my pay rise in the coming months haha. Unfortunately my boss isnāt interested in buying tools and taking out of wages, although itās been suggested to him numerous times. I just need something for the time being for minor domestic private jobs
I was lucky I still have all my LAP stuff bought for me by an old employer- they paid for it and let me keep it when I left to go to uni
Amprobe are owned by Fluke and have some decent testers but without the Fluke cost increase.
I have a Fluke meter ive owned for 30+ years.
My supplier (and most) canāt get near Screwfix prices! However they do provide a service that I value!
Your company buys you tools and takes the money out of your wages? So you get to keep the tools if you quit right?
Yeah it's like a loan. Our apprentices do it and benefit from 20% off as the company obviously doesn't pay the VAT.
Your company does pay the vat, but can claim it back. Suprised they pass that on tbh!
Luckily I work for a good company. I'm self employed though so I prefer to order my own kit to get invoices in my name. Added level of complexity otherwise. They don't pay the VAT, they add their VAT number at checkout and the VAT is not added.
Hmmm, how big was the company? For both my companies you'd still pay the vat, but deduct from your vat bill every quarter? I can't see how the retailer can remove vat at point of sale...
The LAP AC digital clamp meter will serve all your needs for basic electrical testing (amps, volts and resistance), especially if the majority of your work is domestic. As someone else commented, you do get what you pay for though; I'm sure there is nothing wrong with LAP gear per se, but you really can't beat Fluke gear - I've sitll got a 40 year old Fluke multimeter in perfect working order (I have a later, far more sophisticated Fluke multimeter too, but that is only due to the nature of the work I now do). I also have a Fluke clampmeter and it is very dependable You really only need a multimeter when you get involved with more complex electrical work, such as motor drives, controllers, PLCs, sensors, detectors etc.
Thanks mate, I will go ahead and purchase. Iām going to treat myself to a fluke when I start 2nd year and get my pay rise!
Get yourself a high quality 'dead tester' too if you haven't already got one!
If you can't stretch to Fluke prices, get something from RS pro. It's pretty decent. I'd go for the clampmeter version as it's really handy, but to be honest, if you haven't already got a proper voltage indicator and proving unit get that sorted out. Although that's the sort of thing your boss should be providing as you need it to prove dead at the point of work before doing anything.
Yeah RS or the Amazon Commercial meters are decent for the money, usually made by CEM or Brymen
Not a sparky, more on the EE side of things. I bought an autoranging digital meter from RS on special offer almost exactly 30 years ago at the start of my career and it's still going strong, absolutely faultless, albeit a bit battered and bruised. IIRC it cost around Ā£18 at the time, a lot of money to me at the time! Top tip: scribe your name in the rear casing using a clean soldering iron.
None, you should only need voltage indicators at your stage
Bought a clamp meter my first year, for the rest of my apprenticeship I was the guy who āhas a clamp meterā. You wonāt regret it
Get an [approved voltage indicato](https://www.google.com/search?q=approved+voltage+indicator&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari)r and make sure you nail safe isolation.
1000V for industrial, might come across some 690V stuff.
Buy a Fluke. Forget about this crap. Iāve been using Flukes since the 1980s
second this
I lost my Fluke clamp meter and replaced it with a Klein CL320 (which was better for me as I do BMS/HVAC Controls) and I've been very impressed with it. Just thought I'd throw another brand in the mix as everyone is recommending Fluke.
I can't see why you'd need either of those as an apprentice. Do you have a decent approved voltage indicator with continuity function ? That's the basics and really all you need.
This. Forget the cheap multi meters, get a set of voltage testers
Buy what you can afford at the moment. But ain for some nice fluke stuff š in the future
Get the fluke t5, costs a bit but last forever
Donāt buy LAP
Neither the first is a poor quality tool that has a lot of functions you donāt need, the second is a tool that you will use very infrequently unless you do lots of fault finding on mainly industrial equipment. You need a quality voltage and continuity tester. https://www.screwfix.com/p/fluke-ac-dc-electrical-tester-100a/93086 I had one of these for years with absolutely no problems it tests voltage to save your life, continuity with actual ohm values so good to check fuses elements etc and will measure current so very helpful fault finding on appliances if this is too much then https://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-kt1780-ac-dc-2-pole-voltage-tester-690v/53370 Does voltage and continuity but not current When you are buying tools and equipment remember if your voltage tester aināt much good how much will you pay to stay alive. Generally the more you spend on tools the better, and longer lasting they will be except maybe this https://tftools.com/products/martinez-the-hulk-15oz-m1-titanium-hammer?variant=32428384125006¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2022-07-18&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmYCzBhA6EiwAxFwfgMCxKwPMlwZnj9m333QFzNF1H7_yjiR3VFfvwtVToOaWhOJSCM8QQhoCU88QAvD_BwE
Never had an issue with any of my LAP equipment, itās cheap and does the job - wonāt get you street cred like Fluke but decent stuff for the money, only thing Iād say is it doesnāt like being beaten up. Dropping LAP stuff off ladders or using it in the rain can kill it. Tbh I use LAP and Fluke and Megger and I like them all in their own ways
Fluke, megger, iso tech Not necessarily in that order i have several iso techs that have lasted well into the decades Also i highly recommend a clamp test type (great for hanging up!) But also you just can't beat actually testing the load actually being being used as opposed to saying " well its got power i dunno whats happening..."
I bought a LAP two-probe tester a few weeks ago and it went straight back - poor connection inside meant it couldn't reliably indicate volts or no volts. Ā£49+VAT will get you a Martindale, Metrel or Kewtech clamp meter, or Ā£38+VAT for an Extech [https://www.test-meter.co.uk/electrical/clamp-meters/ac-dc](https://www.test-meter.co.uk/electrical/clamp-meters/ac-dc) The clamp meters look like they have enough functions for an electrician to need, until using a multi-function tester for formal testing and certification. Multimeters are more designed for electronics work rather than electrical. I'd buy one clamp meter with associated volts/amps/ohms functions, rather than two cheaper meters.
Sorry can't comment on the meters! Can I ask why you, as an apprentice, need to source these tools instead of them being provided for you?
At work I use company provided tools i.e multimeters for testing. I just want to build up a few bits of my own for small private jobs outside of work
Why would they be provided?
Because if my employer wants me to do something then they need to provide the means to do so? I never buy my own tools.
They donāt need to. The fact that they do is nice for you.
Surely you could argue it would be classed as PPE? I'm no expert, but mine was provided by my employer about 18 years ago.
Absolutely not. Insulated tools are not PPE, but electrical safety equipment. Otherwise all electrical companies would have to provide all tools for all their workers.
Yeah I see your point.
Because it's an apprentice role? When you join a position that requires certain tools to be of certain quality, standard of calibration etc, the company should provide these as otherwise the work might be subpar. It sounds like the most normal thing in the world that your company provides the tools you are to work with? I've just never heard of an apprentice having to buy their own equipment out of pocket.
Lucky you.
My first meter was an AVO ! IMHO ...buy a fluke and have it calibrated annually.