Stop.Meggertime

[electricmanscott]

Marc wins. I am buying a megger. I will defeat these AFCI problems or die trying.

I am buying the Fluke 1507.

I've been on megger overload this weekend reading everything I can find and I think my head may explode.

Does anyone care to summarize this one specific use?

Testing one residential branch circuit with recessed lights, fluorescent lights, and dimmer switches.

I'll start...

Remove panel cover.....

GO!

 

[ptonsparky]

No No No!!!

Don safety gear.

Next...

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Does anyone care to summarize this one specific use?

Testing one residential branch circuit with recessed lights, fluorescent lights, and dimmer switches.

I'll start...

Remove panel cover.....

GO!

Scott
I am sure that after reading you may be aware of some of what I am about to post, so bear with me.

1. remove any of the electronic devices - if it opens the circuit, splice the conductors temporarily. Normal switches need to be closed, tape 3-ways/4-ways into position.


2. Remove your loads. Prep time for meggering generally takes more time than the meggering itself...don't forget, you will need to put it all back together when you are finished testing. So budget time for yourself or your men. It may even be helpful to have your customer be responsible for unplugging the general loads, this way you will not be responsible for too much of the furniture.


- Don't forget to look in closets, attics, crawl spaces, outside.


P.S.
Be aware that some of your issues may be manufactured products. Not just that they cause the issue, but due to poor manufacturing, maybe in fixtures there is neutral-grd bonding occuring.
That is never fun.

My only other advice is to document this. I have a simple sheet I drafted just for this purpose. If you want, PM me and I will send it to you. I believe Brian and Marc may also have their own sheets as well.

 

[ptonsparky]

Speaking from exeperience on yesterdays service call, if a reading doesn't seem correct, back up and actually "look" at what you have. Physically look at the problem, don't just whip out the 1507 and start shooting away.

I am sure, as Pierre stated, you know most of what needs to be done first. I am just saying back up and look again if something just doesn't seem right to you while taking your readings. What looks like a capacitor charging may just be that. whoops.

 

[brian john]

If readings seem strange always question the tech and the test equipment.

 

[Besoeker]

Marc wins. I am buying a megger. I will defeat these AFCI problems or die trying.

I am buying the Fluke 1507.

I've been on megger overload this weekend reading everything I can find and I think my head may explode.

Does anyone care to summarize this one specific use?

Testing one residential branch circuit with recessed lights, fluorescent lights, and dimmer switches.

I'll start...

Remove panel cover.....

GO!

Might be better turn off the power first and check that the circuit is dead.........before you are.
:wink:

 

[peter d]

Marc wins. I am buying a megger.

Psshhhh...what a sell out. :roll:

 

[Cow]

Seeing if I can remember, it's been awhile:

1. Remove cover, unhook black and white wires. Connect megger and test H-G and N-G at 50? volts. If it pegs at 50-55 Megs(max reading at 50 volts on a 1507) you're OK, otherwise go to step A.

2. Now test a 500? volts. If readings are low(I'm still a little fuzzy on what's considered low, maybe 1 megaohm?), go to step A. If OK, next step.

3. Unhook all electronics from circuit(dimmers, GFI's, etc) and wirenut through, remove light bulbs, and turn on switches. Set megger to 50 volts and test H-N. If 0, look for loads still connected. If it pegs at 50-55 Megs(max reading at 50 volts on a 1507) you're OK, if not go to step A.

4. Set tester to 500? volts and test again. If readings are low(I'm still a little fuzzy on what's considered low, maybe 1 megaohm?), go to step A.

Step A: Split the circuit in half and test again. Keep splitting and testing until you've found the cause.

I'm hoping I got these steps halfway right......Marc?

 

[danickstr]

I do not have a megger, and I am afraid of blowing something up with one. What can happen if you leave something plugged into a circuit that is being meggered?

I am afraid of things like forgotten transformers, Radiora devices wired in, etc.

 

[JohnJ0906]

I do not have a megger, and I am afraid of blowing something up with one. What can happen if you leave something plugged into a circuit that is being meggered?

I am afraid of things like forgotten transformers, Radiora devices wired in, etc.

The megger I have has a lower voltage test - I don't know if it is 50 v, it may only be the battery voltage. If you get a low reading with this setting, either something is still connected, or you have a short.

 

[zog]

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this (While meggering).

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this

Stop.Meggertime

 

[mdshunk]

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this (While meggering).

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this

Stop.Meggertime

The man would be proud.

 

[480sparky]

The man would be proud.

until he goes broke.....:grin:

 

[geerhed]

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this (While meggering).

Whoa...whoawhoawhoa...whoawhoa....whoawhoa...dont touch this

Stop.Meggertime

The title on this one is hilarious.