MARTINDALE SIMPLIFY INDUSTRIAL
SOCKET TESTING
hen properly specified,
socket testers provide a
fast and effective solution
to identify potentially
unsafe installations and
wiring faults of power outlets. They
can be particularly useful as a service
tool prior to installing new plant and
equipment. Clearly socket testers are not
an alternative to the full verification of
wiring installations, however as a first line
indicator they are an essential tool for
all maintenance teams. The Martindale
Buzz-IT and Check Plug are the UK’s
most popular test plugs for polarity and
fault checking of 13A wall sockets, but in
addition to testers for standard sockets,
Martindale also offer a complete range of
industrial socket testers for single and 3
phase systems.
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The CP Series for single phase
industrial sockets – 230V and 110V
models
The PC Series for 3 phase supplies
– 16A, 32A, 63A models with 4 and
5 pin configurations for checking
phase rotation and common wiring
faults
The CP Series of industrial socket testers
from Martindale includes both 230V and
110V models.
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PECM Issue 32
The Martindale CP201 is an industrial
version of the classic check plug, is
available with either a 16A or 32A plug
to BS 4343 / IEC309. It’s capable of
identifying 28 fault conditions. Other
products in the range include the CP301
for use on 110V centre tapped circuits
fitted with a yellow 110V 16A or 32A CT
plug. Fault indications include Line 1, Line
2 and centre tap faults, plus Line 1 or 2
centre tap reversal.
Before carrying out any socket testing
it’s important to understand what they
are capable of and the different types
available. All socket testers check that
the earth, live and neutral are the right
way around (called polarity testing).
Some offer added features – they may
include a buzzer in addition to LEDs to
indicate a good socket or they may show
a combination of indicators to identify
which particular fault type is present.
There is one fault that a socket tester
and indeed no other piece of equipment
can easily find – the swapping of the
Earth and Neutral wires. This
is because the earth and
neutral are common at the
substation, (if not closer),
so electrically they are
indistinguishable.
On plugging in the tester, faults are
instantly indicated by one or more of
the LEDs failing to illuminate, with the
pattern of lit LEDs indicating the type of
fault detected. Common fault conditions
can be quickly identified from the look up
chart displayed on the front of the label.
This approach is fail-safe in the unlikely
event of any the LEDs failing to operate.
For 3 phase supplies, the PC104 and
PC105 can be used for identifying 7 wiring
condition faults and also confirm the
correct phase rotation with bright LED
indication. Incorrect phase connection
through socket wiring errors can lead to
equipment failure and serious hazards on
rotating machinery.
The testers are enclosed in a tough
rubber holster to withstand harsh on-site
environments.
For more information visit:
www.bit.ly/IndustrialSocketTesters