In the pursuit of accurate ground-fault testing, it is crucial to utilize the appropriate tools and techniques. By following the steps below and incorporating an upgraded analog ohmmeter, you can enhance your testing process and locate faults with greater efficiency.
Step 1: Connection and Calibration
- Connect the negative test lead of the analog ohmmeter to the ground-fault tester after confirming the output voltage.
- Set the ohmmeter to the Ohms setting and short the test leads together. The reading should be zero, indicating a proper calibration jmdhindi.
Step 2: Incorporating the 36-Volt Battery Pack
In the provided photo, you can observe the 36-volt battery pack securely fastened to the back of the analog ohmmeter. The combination of this battery pack and the internal battery within the ohmmeter results in a total output voltage of 39.53 volts.
This increased voltage level offers multiple benefits:
- Enhanced Fault Detection: The higher detectmind voltage makes it easier to locate ground faults, improving the accuracy of your testing process tenfold.
- Appliance and Device Safety: Despite the higher voltage, it remains at a level that won’t cause damage to appliances and devices connected to fire alarm circuits.
Step 3: Testing Procedure
- Before proceeding with the testing, disconnect all circuits and control boards for safety.
- Look for continuity between each circuit and ground to identify potential faults.
- The new analog ohmmeter will display infinite ohms if the conductor does not make contact with an earth ground.
- If the insulation has been compromised or if the copper is directly connected to the ground, the ohmmeter will indicate 0 ohms.
- For faults related to soft ground, the ohmmeter needle will move from zero (left) to infinite (right), providing a clear indication of the fault’s location.
- Utilize the fine movement of the ohmmeter to swiftly identify circuits with faults, effectively reducing the troubleshooting time required by half.
This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at Becker Mining Systems! For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of industry safety. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by koiusa Becker/SMC.