Hints & Tips & FAQs

General FAQS	Technical FAQs	VR2230/2240	Calibration FAQs
PAT testing guide	PAT errors	PAT sales information	Choosing the right PAT

General

Where can I purchase Martindale products?
You can purchase goods from all major wholesalers across the UK.

How can I get a catalogue?
Catalogues can be ordered by clicking here or give us a call on 01923 441717.

What are your opening hours?
Monday-Friday from 8.00am -5.00pm.

Is there a minimum purchase order value?
There is no minimum purchase order value; however we do charge £7.50 for all orders below £100 net.

What is your carriage charge?
There is no carriage charge, but there is a charge of £7.50 for orders below £100 net, whether you are collecting or they are being delivered.

What is the standard guarantee on Martindale products?
All Martindale products are guaranteed for two years from date of purchased.

Is there a next day delivery service?
We use UPS for most of our deliveries and they guarantee a next business day delivery up to 5.30pm (a next day pre -10.30am delivery is available at extra cost). Certain outlying areas of Scotland, Wales, South Cornwall etc, might be delayed by 2-4 days. Recorded delivery post is also used and generally delivered next day but not guaranteed.

Can you please send me another instruction Manual?
Instruction manuals for all of our products are available on the website for you to download and print off.

When is the VR2250 all-in-one tester being released?
It is currently in the final stages of development and testing and should be available to order in December.

Do you offer off­site PAT training courses?
Yes, we can arrange off­site training at your premises for up to 12 people for a fee of £675.00 plus travel.

Do you Export?
Yes, we have agents in a number of territories, e.g. Australia. If we do not have an agent locally you can buy many of our products through RS (electro components) http://rswww.com Please contact us for more Information.

Technical

What Building Regulation requirements are there in addition to Part P?
From 1st January 2005 the Government introduced new legislation, regulating electrical work carried out in homes and gardens. The new rules affect anyone considering electrical work in the home, including DIY enthusiasts. The rules mean that all work that falls under Part P must be notified to your local authority's Building Control department. But how do you know if the work you have planned needs to be notified? For further information please click here

What new equipment will be required for 17th Edition electrical testing?
Will my 16th edition tester still be usable once the 17th edition becomes law?
All current Martindale 16th Edition test equipment is compatible with the 17th Edition Regulations

When should I use GS38 leads?
If you are working on mains power circuits GS38 leads are deemed necessary. See health and safety guidance notes.

Will socket testers spot all mains wiring faults?
No, they can´t tell if the earth and neutral wires are reversed, and most conventional testers can only tell if the earth is disconnected.

My non-trip loop tester only resolves 1Ω, is this a problem?
If your circuit is protected with an RCD your loop impedance has to be less than approx 100Ω, although in theory it could be up to 1000Ω. If it´s reading 1-3Ω, that´s fine, if you haven´t got an RCD you need a high current loop test with two digit resolution.

Why am I getting two different readings from two meters?
All meters have a specification and if one meter is reading from the top of its specification and the other from the bottom, both readings will still be correct, but just show different values.

Can the Fuse finder be used to troubleshoot dead circuits?
No – The transmitter is powered by the circuit under investigation.

What is the range of the fusefinder?
Depending on the type of cable in use the range could be up-to 200 metres.

Can the PD690 Proving unit be used to test a Digital Multimeter?
Can the PD690 Proving unit be used with a WIGGY tester?
NO – The proving unit is designed for use with Filament/Neon Voltage Indicators.

What equipment do I need to do Pat testing?
The Martindale EPAT1600 is the legal minimum tester capable of performing the 2 mandatory electrical safety tests (earth continuity and insulation) on portable appliances and power leads. The EPAT2100 expands this functionality to five tests and adds run current, earth leakage and an insulation flash test. For added convenience, the MPATPLUS supports a barcode reader, and also allows the test data to be downloaded to a computer for safe keeping and manipulation using the optional formatting and reporting software. Other PAT Testing essentials are the LT series extension lead testers, the EZ150 mains socket tester and a copy of the IEE code of practice (IEEPATS2). You will also need to obtain certification by way of a suitable training course.

Should I buy a manual or downloading PAT tester?
If you have the budget the download PAT is better. It has excellent memory and it makes managing your records easy, it holds above 1000 appliance records. We recommend a manual PAT if you are going to be testing less than 600 appliances.

Can I do an earth bond test on a class II appliance?
No, it's bound to fail! Class II appliances have no earth. This is the single most common problem found by our technical help line. For other PAT testing mistakes please click here.

Do I need computerised records?
Above 400 items we suggest computerisation (Micropat Plus). Below 400 - the EPAT 1600 or EPAT 2100 for speed and simplicity. For more help on choosing the right PAT please click here.

Why wont my bar code scanner wont work with my MPAT?
The most common causes for barcode scanners not working with the MPAT are either the scanner has not been configured for use with the MPAT or the MPAT baud rate has been set diffferently to the scanner. (The early MPATs had only the 1200 baud rate, with the later MPATs you can cycle from 1200 to 9600 by pressing first the PRINT button then the RATE button).
Note: If the MPAT is the the type badged up for Metrotest then it will need to be returned to us for a firmware change before it will work

How do I test 3 phase appliances?
You need our three phase adapter leads, that allow a single phase PAT tester to carry out safety tests on three phase appliances.
Please note that only the basic tests can be performed ie. Earth bond and insulation test. Obviously it is not possible to do the RUN test with a single phase PAT tester.
The parts you require are as follows.
Part no MARTL151 ­ 16amp 4pin adapter
Part no MARTL152 ­ 16amp 5pin adapter
Part no MARTL153 ­ 32amp 4pin adapter
Part no MARTL154 ­ 32amp 5pin adapter
It is also advisable to obtain a copy of the IEEPATS2 Code of Practice

VR2230 / 2240

Why am I getting unexpected results when loop testing?
Before investigating the wiring installation, check that your test leads areconnected to the appropriate colour coded socket on the instrument (redlead to red socket etc). Also ensure that you make a good contactbetween the instrument and the circuit being tested. See Tip 1 and Tip 3.

What is the best way to calibrate the instrument to suit my test leads?
Croc clips should always be used when carrying out calibration tominimise contact resistance. The best contact will be obtained if the crocclips are connected Lower Jaw to Lower Jaw as this eliminates theincreased resistance of contact made through the top jaw spring. See TIP2 & 3 and user manual 4.1.1.

Why can’t I repeat a measurement and get the same resistance value?
Variable readings are caused by poor contact between the instrument andthe circuit being tested For best contact quality see TIP 1, TIP 2 and TIP 3.

Why do some measurements result in a zero reading and the display of awarning triangle and a flashing “CAL” sign?
Test lead calibration has not been performed accurately and the measuredvalue is less than the test lead resistance. The instrument will not display anegative value.Repeat the test lead calibration using CAL mode. See Q2 above and usermanual 4.1.1.

On the VR2240 why am I seeing the message "no con in5" that locks theinstrument?
The condition occurs if the user presses the In/Idn button inadvertentlywhile the instrument is in Loop Zs/Ik mode on the rotary switch. Themessage "no con in5" comes up on the display. The instrument will nolonger measure Loop Impedance on the Zs/Ik position. This condition canoccur on firmware releases 1.34 to 1.38 and may occur on subsequentreleases, until it has been verified that the condition has been eliminated.

To remove the message, the In/Idn button should be pressed again whilethe instrument is in Loop Zs/Ik mode. The message "no con in5" willdisappear and the instrument will work correctly.This solution can be employed whenever the condition occurs. There is nodamage to the instrument and no long term effect.

TIP 1
To satisfy safe working practices as defined by GS38, fused test leads aresupplied with the Veritest 2230/2240. However, the introduction of theadditional moving parts and contact faces required by fused leads cancause variable results when used with a precision measuring instrument.Therefore, it is recommended that fuses are removed and cleaned on aregular basis and that moving parts are exercised to help to reduce thetendency for oxidation on contact surfaces to adversely affect theaccuracy of the measurement. The terminal sockets may be cleaned usingcotton buds and isopropyl alcohol. Do not use alcohol for cleaning anyother part of the instrument.

TIP 2
To help judge the quality of contact you are achieving, a continuouslyupdated resistance value can be displayed in the countdown phase(Selection Switch set to LOW? position) of the R+ and R- Timer modes.For continuity measurement, this is the recommended method forobtaining reliable results because it allows the user to adjust the contactuntil the lowest sampled value of contact resistance is displayed.However, the final result will be an average, upset by any poor interimsampled values. Therefore it is essential that the test should then berepeated without any contact movement for the final and most accurateresult. See user manual 4.1

TIP 3
Croc clips give a more reliable contact than a probe tip and shouldtherefore be used wherever possible. The operator should clip the crocsecurely in place and then LET GO. Do not move the contact during anyfinal calibration or measurement episode.If croc clips cannot be used, hand held probes should be pressed firmlyinto contact with the item under test and HELD STILL duringmeasurement.

Calibration

Are all your meters calibrated when first sold?
As part of the manufacturer´s process, all equipment goes through a series of tests including calibration. However certificates are not provided for all products.

How often should I get my meter calibrated?
Only you can decide this based on your environment and the consequences of errors. However most people get their meters calibrated every 12 months.

Does Martindale repair other companies´ instruments?
Yes, with a fixed charge repair scheme.

What is the turnaround on calibration?
We quote a 5 day turnaround but it is very often less. We do offer a 24 hour calibration service but it is an additional 50% of the price of the calibration.

Do you offer discount on calibration?
We give discount to wholesalers on calibrations but not on repairs.