Re: GFCI leakage tester
Mdshunk, what you say this meter does seems to be very basic. You can easily make such a device yourself with a few parts. By what you say this thing does you will only need a small analog millampmeter, a potentiometer, a couple of recptacles, and a multi-terminal rotary switch and a box to build it in, all of which you could buy in Radio Shack. I always planned on making such a device myself but have not got around to it. I once recall an incident where an inspector flagged a GFCI receptacle because his "fancy" circuit tester did not trip the GFCI however the internal test did work. On another occasion a "home inspector" NOT a AHJ that had a fancy $500.00 circuit tester used the tester to test all the outlets in a 1 year old house being sold. In the far upstairs bedroom on the back side of the house opposite the side where the panel was he "failed" the wiring of the outlets in that bedroom. Needless to say since he uncovered an electrical problem, the whoile closing of the house was held up. The whole process came to a grinding halt until this "outlet wiring problem" was remedeed. I was asked to come in and check out the problem. Not knowing the exact nature of the problem (inspector never elaborated)I assumed it was perhaps a reverse polarity or a no goround situation. Went to the house and plugged in my $5.00 circuit tester and it said all the outlets in that bedroom were wired Ok and grounded. I could not see any problem. Reported to the real estate people I could not find any problems. A call the the "home inspector" with my findings netted a derogatory response "what kind of electrican did you call?" Well, it came down to that fact that I had to call and talk to this guy. When I told him I could not find anything wrong with the outlets he said "what kind of electrician are you?" Grit teeth, bite tounge, and I said would you "kindly" explain YOUR findings in regard to the "failure" of the outlets in that bedroom. He said he didnt know what the problem was other than his $500.00 testers' "red light" lit up and said "failure". Asking him what the "failure" was in refernece to he said "current", its a "current failure". So I said, Oh...does your $500.00 tester "load down the circuit"? He said " I don't know what it does I just read the "failure light" and I report on it. Well, I guess by know you know the problem, this fancy $500.00 meter this guy has checks the voltage drop on the circuit when a load is applied and if its more than 3% the little red light goes on. Long run of #14 wire in a big house way out to the other end of the house on the second floor. This created a big problem with the sale of the house, The "home inspector" wanted to be able to go back to the house and have his meter read "pass" before he would amend his report. Here's what happened. The original builder got involved, called the EC that wired the house, the EC called the "house inspector" and argued that there was no safety issue here and it wasen't a "big deal". In order to settle the issue the EC had to sign a legal avadavit taking full responsiblity of the situation and then the problem went away.
