Ideal Industries SureTest 61-165 vs Amprobe INSP-3
Ideal Industries SureTest 61-165 vs Amprobe INSP-3
I too have been looking into both the Ideal Industries SureTest 61-165 and the Amprobe INSP-3. These two models seem to be the top two to choose from... but which is best? I want to know as well.
A gentleman by the name of Mike Sokol, who also happens to be a forum member (jmsokol), had this to say in response to a similar inquiry (see
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=146225&page=5):
Peter,
In addition to the INSP-3 and Ideal SureTest, I also have the Extech CT-70 and have compared all three testers both on my test bench and in the field. I still have my "antique" Woodhead Ground Loop Impedance Tester (GLIT for short) with a big analog meter, which still works great but offers much less intel than a modern load tester. Guess that makes me an antique as well...
I would leave the Extech CT-70 out of the running since it has too many screens to go through for info, and the information is too spread out for a quick evaluation. Also, there's no primary screen indication of a Bootleg Ground, which is important when testing a lot of rental property outlets.
That leaves the Amprobe INSP-3 and the Ideal SureTest. Both units seem to have similar accuracy since we've tried them out on the same outlets and they read close to the same numbers. However, I did not confirm their accuracy with an independent measurement, which is what I would do using a calibrated meter and known resistance load. But I've gotta believe their accuracy is close enough for field work. (I used to build nuclear missile guidance systems in a previous life, so calibration procedures were drilled into me...)
Both the SureTest and INSP-3 provide similar info, but the SureTest is a little quicker to use since it gives you a pass/fail indicator on the first screen that's pretty clear. The INSP-3 gives you more data on the first page, but you have to really work to interpret what it all means. For instance, while either tester finds a bootleg ground, the INSP-3 just blinks the actual impedance reading number, while the SureTest actually has 3 lights on screen that show up like a cube tester, and the ground "light" blinks a big F for false ground if it determines there's too low of a impedance between the Neutral and Ground (less than 15 feet of wire). So a wiring fault that could be overlooked on the INSP-3's smaller display is really obvious on the SureTest display. Also, the fluorescent display of the SureTest is easier to see than the INPS-3, especially at a distance, so that could be helpful to somebody with less than perfect vision (like me).
Both the Amprobe INSP-3 and Ideal SureTest have a nice carrying case with a short "euro" power plug, and both seem equally rugged. I would make the SureTest my first choice, then the INSP-3 as a second choice, and finally the CT-70. All of them will get you there, but the SureTest is the easiest one to drive.
Finally, remember that none of these GLIT's can tell the difference between a CPBG (Correct Polarity Bootleg Ground) and an RPBG (Reverse Polarity Bootleg Ground) outlet. To know the difference you'll either need to use a DMM [Digital Multi-Meter] or Wiggy from the outlet ground contact to a known earth connection such as a copper water pipe, a long extension cord ground that's plugged into a known-good outlet, a test wire run back to the service panel bonding point, or easiest of all a NCVT [Non-Contact Voltage Tester] such as a Fluke VoltAlert or Amprobe VoltProbe. I really think using an NCVT as a quick check to discover any "hot" grounds followed up with an intelligent load tester such as an Ideal SureTest would be a very solid outlet check and quick to perform.
Mike Sokol
Mr. Sokol has also posted a few YouTube videos in which he test electrical receptacles using both the Ideal Industries SureTest 61-165 and the Amprobe INSP-3.
Reviews on Amazon.com appear to be made by amateur do-it-yourself electricians, so I think their comments offer limited value. They are not capable of a critical, in-depth analysis of these products.
Amprobe has a "reviews" feature on their website as a means of rating their products. Here is a link to the reviews on the Amprobe INSP-3:
You'll notice a few negative reviews regarding some percieved deficiencies in the INSP-3. A few reviewers did not use the device correctly, thus leading to their negative view of the product, while others seem to have found some genuine deficiencies. Credit to Amprose for being open and transparent with regards to these reviews and opinions. The Ideal Industries website does not have a similar "review" feature.
So, I don't know which device is better. I am not a trained electrician, but I do need a circuit analyzer to test a few electrical receptacles. Naturally, I want one without deficiencies.
I would be curious to know what further information you can find that will allow you to narrow your decision to one device or the other.
dcfelix