The Metrel MI3000 Easi Plus Multifunction Tester is the entry level multifunction tester within the Metrel range. The MI3000 boasts a impressive specification for a tester within this price range, offering test features that will satisfy not only domestic, but commercial and industrial electrical installations.
Brief Specification Overview
Out of the box
The Metrel MI3000 comes supplied with a good quality soft carry case. The case itself is basic protection for the tester and there are compartments designed to unzip allowing functional use whilst being contained within the case. Although the case offers basic protection, it is not a hard carry case. Also included within the box is a neckstrap which allows you to use the tester against your chest whilst it is hung around your neck.
The tester comes supplied with a manufacturer’s calibration certificate, a CD containing the full product manual, a list of popular Metrel accessories, and a printed short instructional guide for quick start use.
With the Metrel MI3000 being a rechargeable multifunction tester, it comes supplied with 6 x AA rechargeable Nickel-metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, rated at 2000mAh. The mains charger supplied is designed to plug into the tester allowing you to recharge your tester in situ.
Finally, there is a brown, green and blue three-wire test lead set supplied with crocodile clips, and test probes. The test probes feature removable plastic heads which allow for a maximum of 2mm of exposed tip where needed. There is also a 13A mains test lead that will allow you to connect the MI3000 to a 13A BS1363 socket outlet. Both test leads connect to the unit via a block connector.
Testing with the Metrel MI3000 Easi Plus Multifunction Tester
All of the test functions are selected using a primary rotary dial, with each test printed clearly next to the selector dial. Secondary test functions (for example insulation resistance voltages), are chosen using an up, down, left and right keypad. This selects your options digitally, rather than using a secondary test dial.
The three wire test lead does not allow you to connect and disconnect each test lead as the leads are fixed into one block connecter. In order to carry out a two wire test, you need to plug two of the test leads together; please see figure 2 below. This can be fairly confusing to start with if you have only ever used another brand of tester in the past.
A great feature is being able to programme your own pass thresholds into the tester on insulation resistance and continuity functions. For example, you are testing a circuit for insulation resistance and you have selected a value of 1 MegOhm. Any reading above this value will be displayed with a tick, whilst any reading below will display with a cross.
Similarly, on the loop test functions, you can also select what device is protecting the circuit and also the maximum disconnection time allowed. For example, you are testing a shower circuit protected by a BS60898 40A B type MCB. Using the keypad, by selecting B40 and selecting a 5 second disconnection time, the tester automatically calculates the pass threshold based upon the values stated in BS7671:2008 – very clever I’m sure you’ll agree.
- Continuity – By selecting the continuity setting, you are presented with two further options. The first is an ‘RLow’ option, which is the test setting you will use for testing gas and water bonding, your R1+R2 value and your end to end ring final circuit resistance values. This option delivers a 200ma burst of current to obtain the test value. The second option ‘Continuity’, is used for testing continuity on inductive loads such as motor windings and coils. This test continually pulses around 7mA into a system to give you a continuous reading (similar to a multimeter). As above, you can also preset a pass threshold in Ohms.
- Insulation Resistance – Insulation resistance can be tested at 100, 250, 500 and 1000V. Unfortunately, there is no ‘lock’ button which allows the tester to continually input voltage into a circuit, so you need to keep the test button held down. This being said, other testers within the price range of the MI3000 do not offer the range of voltages.
- Loop Test – There are two different loop test functions. The first is marked as a ‘line test’ which is a high current two wire test which you can use to test three phase systems without an earth (3P+N). The second is the standard loop test which can be either a two or three wire test. This is the setting that you would probably use to obtain your Ze and Zs values. Importantly, you can also select a low current anti trip setting by using the up and down keypad to select ‘Zs – RCD’, although this can only be selected using three wires. A high current loop test takes around 2 seconds to conduct, whereas the low current test takes 15 seconds to complete. This is due to multiple current pulses that are generated into the earth loop, with each value calculated to produce an overall average test value. Where possible it is best to use the high current test, as it will be more accurate. Each of the loop test options will also display your fault current value – with the line test function displaying a PSC value and the loop test function displaying a PFC value.
- RCD Test – You can test 10, 30, 100, 300, 500 and 1000mA RCD’s at 0.5x, 1x, 2x and 5x the protective current rating. Multiple RCD types can be tested, although you cannot test a ‘B Type’ RCD which are DC current/high frequency RCDs. A ramp test is also available to see what current an RCD trips at, and most importantly the tester offers an automatic RCD test.
- Other test features – The MI3000 will allow you to monitor voltage and frequency on an installation. It also boasts a phase rotation function so that you can assure phases within a three phase system are connected in the correct order throughout an installation. A tester at this sort of price range would not normally offer you this test function.
Conclusion
Pro’s – great value, aesthetic design, easy to use, comfortable design, lightweight, programmable pass/fail thresholds, neckstrap design allows for hands-free testing, 3 year warranty.
Con’s – no hard carry case, test leads are not universal, test lead configuration can be confusing if this is your first Metrel MFT, no lock button on insulation resistance testing.
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