When selecting test equipment for electrical testing it is essential that you choose the right type of equipment for your particular applications. In most cases good quality test instruments will cover your regulatory requirements, ie. testing to specific legal standards and parameters, but the selection is mainly related to the practicality of the instrument. In other words, can the instrument do the tests you want it to do, and in a practical way?
Electrical testing requirements can be repetitive and frequent, but they can also vary in terms of high and low voltage, so your test equipment has to comply with those requirements. Many electrical testers need to test quickly but accurately, and also need to cover a range of different tests, so this is where the dilemma arises in terms of what type of tester you need; a single-function tester or a multi-function tester.
What are multi-function testers?
Multi-function testers are perhaps the most common instruments used by most modern day electrical testers, because they combine a number of different common tests in one instrument. These can include tests for continuity, polarity, insulation resistance, RCD performance, phase sequence and voltage drop. These are the common tests used in many electrical installations, and when you are testing a series of installations in sequence, it is helpful to have one instrument that suits all these test requirements. This way, you are not continuously searching for a new instrument and having to set it up, or even remember how to use it. With a multi-function tester, such as the MFT-PRO+ supplied by Test Instrument Solutions, you can easily switch between test programmes and input your parameters, and the test results for each test can be read and interpreted more easily from the same digital screen.
A multimeter by contrast is a smaller instrument that carries a variety of fault finding measurements, such as voltage, continuity and resistance, while a clamp meter does the same when readings of more than 10 Amps of current are expected. A multimeter or clampmeter cannot be used instead of a multifunction tester or individual hand held units for electrical installation certification & compliance.
So multi-function testers are good where an electrical tester has many different installation & periodic safety tests to carry out in one installation, because it saves time and speeds up the process. They are also suitable for three-phase equipment and distribution boards, such as in industrial environments.
What are single-function testers
As the name suggests, where multi-function testers can carry out a variety of different tests, the single-function tester is a specialist test instrument for one specific test. Examples of single-function testers are Insulation & Continuity, RCD & Loop Impedance testers.
Single-function testers are more suitable for test applications where only one single test is required, or for small installations where time is not a huge consideration, and the tester is comfortable in swapping between different instruments for each individual test.
It is not the case that single-function testers do one job well, while multi-function testers can’t do several jobs well. In all cases, the test equipment supplied will carry out electrical testing to the standard requirements and with high accuracy. However, the multiple capabilities of a multi-function tester compared to a single-function tester, will of course be reflected in the price you can be expected to pay.
Check out our range of single and multi-function testers
So the main difference between single and multi-function testers is how many tests you need to carry out and what time pressures you are under. Multi-function testers allow you to seamlessly and conveniently swap between different tests within one instrument, while single-function testers specialise in one specific test. Check out our range of single and multifunction electrical testers.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.