SHOULD YOUR NEXT MULTIFUNCTION TESTER BE AN EV MFT?

There are many reasons why electricians should consider a multifunction installation tester with electric vehicle (EV) testing capability. David Sweetman, Group Marketing and Business Development Director at Di-LOG Group, has compiled a few facts that will help electricians when they are considering investing in new test equipment.

According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will be one of the most important actions to achieve the UK’s net zero target. Today’s EV market is estimated to be around 400,000

– this includes all fully electric and plug-in hybrid models and equates to 1% of all UK vehicles. By 2032, this number is expected to accelerate to 23.2 million which is 55% of all UK vehicles and, by 2050, this number is expected to reach 49 million – 100%.

Currently, there are approximately 33,000 public charging points for around 400,000 plug-in electric vans and

There is every possibility that you will be installing EV chargers in the future if you are not doing so already passenger vehicles. In order to grow the UK’s EV fleet to 23.2 million EVs by 2032, the CCC estimates 325,000 public charging points will be needed. These numbers do not include the EV chargers that are installed at homes and workplaces.

So, there is every possibility that you will be installing EV chargers in the future if you are not doing so already.

Should your next installation tester have the functionality to check the effectiveness of DC leakage protection installed within the EV charger? David believes the answer is yes, in accordance with BS7671:2018:AM2 – Chapter 64 section 3 (643) titled ‘Testing’. Subsection 643.10 ‘functional testing’, states that ‘protective devices shall be submitted to a test of their function, as necessary, to check that they are properly installed and adjusted’.

Di-LOG’s new DL9100 series MFT incorporates the DL9120 and DL9130EV with both products boasting DC capability, paving the way for a host of tests specific to the EV and PV sectors, mainly the ability to conduct a Type B (Pure DC) RCD test. Although the new MFTs both have the ability to test Type B RCDs, the DL9130EV has a full 6mA RDC-DD test to indicate the DC safety protection is working on all modern EV chargers. Excessive DC current on the RCD that is protecting the AC supply could result in the failure to trip when an AC fault occurs. The DL9130EV can be switched to full Auto EV mode for full EV verification. The EV Auto Sequence performs a cycle of full RCD tests checking the EV charger’s DC leakage protection along with the Type A RCD. All results are then recalled simply at the press of a button, utilising the RGB colour-changing screen with a green background to indicate passes and a red background to indicate areas that may require further investigation.

Di-LOG has not just focused on additional EV features, the new DL9120 and DL9130EV MFT are the company’s most intelligent testers to date, with a fully auto-sensing high current Loop/PSCC test. The instrument will automatically detect if the user is conducting either a two-wire or three-wire test without the need to select a specific setting.

Fitted with a new high-contrast RGB colour screen with a full secondary display, results are held on the screen with the added benefit of colour-changing screen alarms when specific triggers or warnings are met. Full flexibility whilst on-site is paramount, and with a variable RCD test the user can dial in any specific value required to safely conduct the test.

The DL9130EV hosts additional time-saving features such as Zmax (maximum Zs Earth Loop) and Rmax (maximum R1+R2/R2), designed to aid the user when testing and inspecting. Although Zmax is not new technology and has been around for a while, the Rmax feature is something new and unique. Rmax essentially allows the electrician to record the maximum continuity reading when testing sockets on a ring main R1+R2, or light fittings in a radial circuit to find the maximum R2 value.

Occasionally, mistakes can happen when testing and inspecting, especially if you accidentally apply voltage to either the insulation or continuity test setting. The DL9120 and DL9130EV have added intelligent protection features to fully protect the instrument and the user when these situations occur. In all instances when the user needs to be alerted to a specific condition, the colour RGB screen will turn red, indicating the error that has occurred. In addition to user error warnings, Di-LOG has also enhanced the overvoltage protection to 480V to protect against voltage variations that may arise on the supply.

Modern-day test equipment tends to host an array of features offering fantastic value for money. However, more often than not, this can create test equipment with complex menu protocols when all you want is to rotate a dial, press a button and go. The DL9100 series continues to adopt this approach with the new intuitive user interface. As you rotate the rotary dial, each function is momentarily indicated adjacent to its function button, creating an intuitive but simplistic approach to testing and inspecting.

The DLEV1 is a universal EVSE Charge Station Adaptor Kit that will simulate the Proximity Pilot (PP) States and Control Pilot (CP) States required to energise a free-standing or wall-mounted EV charger. Supplied with a type 1 and type 2 connector plug specifically designed for testing, the DLEV1 kit will also simulate PE Pre-test, CP Error ‘E’ and PE Error with the added feature of CP signal output and load connection.

The DLEV1 has a 13A socket for MFT mains lead or can be used for inline load connection. In addition to this, there are also 4mm input terminals for single or 3-phase connections.

Di-LOG supports British manufacturing by designing and building its specialist safety test equipment in the UK

If none of the above has convinced you, then how about supporting UK manufacturing?

From time to time, things don’t always go quite to plan and like any electronic device that is designed to work in the most extreme environments, there is always the odd hiccup, so to speak. With UK-based manufacturing, research, development and design teams, issues can be quickly found and resolved –without your equipment potentially seeing more of the world than yourself!

Di-LOG says that it is proud to support British manufacturing by designing and building its specialist safety test equipment in the UK. All of the company’s 18th Edition multifunction testers have a UK-based R&D team dedicated to designing, building and delivering the most up-to-date technology to meet the continuous needs of its customers.

Di-LOG Test Equipment offers a comprehensive range of test equipment from a voltage indicator to 18th Edition and thermal imaging, to portable appliance testing kits. All Di-LOG instruments are designed and manufactured to the highest quality specification and you can be assured that all manufacturing processes adhere to internationally recognised standards. Di-LOG says that its instruments are accurate, safe and rugged – you won’t find a better balance between cost and fitness for purpose.

Di-LOG, dilog.co.uk