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Multimeters & Test Equipment

Electrical test equipment measures what a circuit is doing so a fault can be found or an installation proved before handover. This range includes Mercury digital and clamp multimeters with test leads, Knightsbridge and Mercury voltage testers, the Knightsbridge TE3 BS 1363 socket tester, network cable testers, a sound level meter, and GJD walk testers for setting up PIR detectors.

Choosing Multimeters & Test Equipment

Pick the instrument by what you need to prove: voltage present, a measured value, or a working cable run.

Multimeter or clamp meter

A digital multimeter measures voltage, current and resistance through test leads. A clamp meter reads current by closing its jaws around a conductor, without breaking the circuit; the Mercury 600.103 reads 200-1000A AC and the 600.113 up to 600A AC with true RMS.

Voltage testers

The Knightsbridge TE1 is a 2-pole voltage tester for 12-690V AC/DC with an LCD. The TE4B and the Mercury 710.030 test pen detect voltage without contact from 80-1000V and 90-1000VAC, and the TE3 checks a BS 1363 socket for common wiring faults.

Data and alarm

RJ45 and RJ11 cable testers from Haydon and Mercury check wire mapping, and the Mercury 505.993 adds USB and BNC. GJD D-TECT walk testers help align PIR coverage.

TaskInstrumentExample
Measure volts, amps, ohmsDigital multimeterMercury 600.100, 600.110
Measure current without disconnectingClamp meterMercury 600.103, 600.113
Check a conductor is liveVoltage testerKnightsbridge TE1, TE4B
Check a socket's wiringSocket testerKnightsbridge TE3
Check a data cableCable testerHaydon HAY-RJ45TEST, Mercury 505.990

Standards & compliance

The Mercury 600.103 clamp meter conforms to EN 61010-1, the safety standard for electrical measuring equipment, and the TE4B is rated CAT III. Match the category rating to the circuit you are testing.

Brands we stock in Multimeters & Test Equipment

ACT Meters, Action Can, GJD, Haydon, Knightsbridge and Mercury.

Mercury supplies the most testers and meters.

Related categories

For detector alignment see smart alarms and sensors, and for the sockets and switches a socket tester checks, wiring accessories. See also Crimping & Punch-Down Tools.

Frequently asked questions

What electrical testing tools does an electrician need?

An electrician typically needs a two-pole voltage tester and a proving unit for safe isolation, plus a multimeter or clamp meter for fault finding. Installation testing also calls for a multifunction tester for insulation, continuity and loop readings. A socket tester and a non-contact voltage detector help with quick checks. The range here includes multimeters, clamp meters and voltage testers.

How does an electric tester pen work?

A non-contact electric tester pen senses the electric field around a live AC conductor and lights up or beeps when held near a live cable or socket. It needs no metal contact, so it suits quick checks. It cannot prove a circuit is dead, so confirm isolation with a two-pole tester. The range here includes non-contact voltage testers.

What does an electric socket tester check?

A plug-in socket tester checks a mains socket for common wiring faults, such as reversed live and neutral, a missing earth or an open neutral. Lights or a display show the result. It is a quick check after fitting, not a substitute for full installation testing, and should suit BS 1363 sockets. The range here includes a mains-powered plug-in socket tester.

How do you use an electrical tester?

To use an electrical tester, first check it on a known live source or proving unit, then test the circuit, then check the tester again to confirm it still works. With a two-pole tester, test across the conductor pairs in turn: live to neutral, live to earth and neutral to earth. The range here includes two-pole and non-contact voltage testers.

What is an electrical tester?

An electrical tester is an instrument that checks for voltage, continuity or faults in electrical circuits, cables and equipment. Common types include voltage testers, multimeters, clamp meters, socket testers and network cable testers, and they suit different jobs. Choose one with a CAT rating that suits the circuits you work on. The range here includes multimeters, voltage testers and cable testers.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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