Enhancing electrical safety for electricians: Martindale Electric’s EZ165 and EZ365 socket testers feature non-trip earth loop test

Socket testers are now a fundamental tool for electricians, primarily checking that earth, live and neutral are correctly connected with multiple LEDs for indicating specific wiring faults. Some enhance safety checks with features like a buzzer or RCD trip test.

However, when evaluating an outlet, measuring earth loop impedance is vital as a low earth resistance is essential for safety disconnection devices to work properly and prevent electrocution when faults occur. Basic socket testers only indicate the presence of an earth and will do so even when earth resistance values are dangerously high. Here, advanced socket testers are essential. 

The Martindale EZ165 and EZ365 socket testers not only indicate the presence of earth but also help check the safety of the earth connection by carrying out a non-trip earth loop test and indicating its value in 6 discrete ranges. Faults are identified by a combination of red LEDs that correspond to neutral, earth and live connections to aid fast identification of the source of common faults. A look up chart on the tester provides further fault diagnosis. The EZ365 can be used to trip test 30mA RCDs and has the capability to check for L-NE polarity swap at the incoming supply which can detect a serious fault condition that cannot be identified by normal socket testers.

The EZ165 and EZ365 advanced socket testers are commonly used by engineers, electricians and technicians prior to servicing and installing mains powered electrical and gas appliances. It is important to note that socket testers are not an alternative to the full verification of wiring installations. However, as a first line indicator to identify potentially unsafe installations and wiring faults, socket testers offer a fast and effective solution when properly specified.

For more information visit www.martindale-electric.co.uk/