Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all.
Can anyone tell me of any possible concerns with using a calibrated multimeter to confirm that a controls panel is electrically dead from all power sources?
Thanks for all help,
Carrickman
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Rank: Super forum user 
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That it's not dead?
Stored power?
Meter malfunction - you need to test the meter
System being dead at test - but then becoming live - incorrect isolation etc
etc
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Rank: Super forum user 
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HSE document GS38 (free to download) may be of some help
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Rank: Forum user
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Isolation and Lock Off spring to mind. This determines that all electrical energy is 'Dead' at the panel
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Rank: Super forum user
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Artist1 wrote:Isolation and Lock Off spring to mind. This determines that all electrical energy is 'Dead' at the panel No testing with a multimeter determines it is dead.... I think you may have misread the question :)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Artist1 wrote:Isolation and Lock Off spring to mind. This determines that all electrical energy is 'Dead' at the panel Well I've witnessed that fail a few times! OK if its a simple site I suppose, but simple sites a few and far between I take no one's word that a circuit is dead - I check for myself every time
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Rank: Super forum user
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walker wrote:Artist1 wrote:Isolation and Lock Off spring to mind. This determines that all electrical energy is 'Dead' at the panel Well I've witnessed that fail a few times! OK if its a simple site I suppose, but simple sites a few and far between I take no one's word that a circuit is dead - I check for myself every time I thought that was the question - factors to consider whilst checking for dead - am I missing something???
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Rank: Super forum user
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teh_boy wrote:walker wrote:Artist1 wrote:Isolation and Lock Off spring to mind. This determines that all electrical energy is 'Dead' at the panel Well I've witnessed that fail a few times! OK if its a simple site I suppose, but simple sites a few and far between I take no one's word that a circuit is dead - I check for myself every time I thought that was the question - factors to consider whilst checking for dead - am I missing something??? Sorry Walker I read your post out of context... doh, time for me to stop focusing on two things at once :)
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Rank: Forum user
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with a multi meter you have to pick the function you wish to test, so you may accidently put dc volts or ohms instead of ac. you test and get 0.00 or something and assume its dead, you touch conductor and get a shock.
use a proving unit and a voltage indicating device and possibly go on a safe isolation course if required. get lock off kits etc and do it right.
prove tester is functioning correctly, with known supply or proving unit.
check circuit to be worked on.
re check tester as per item 1
lock off and put key in key safe or in your trouser pocket
apply warning label as to why the isolation is in place
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Rank: Forum user
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tony. wrote:with a multi meter you have to pick the function you wish to test, so you may accidently put dc volts or ohms instead of ac. you test and get 0.00 or something and assume its dead, you touch conductor and get a shock.
Is the multimeter fused and if so what is the breaking capacity? If you are accidentally in current mode you could be shorting out the supply. Use a proper voltage indicator like Tony says.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I remain confused.
Just reading !
Let me ask what you're measuring ?
Simple question ?
Are you measuring from live to neutral, or live to earth, or live to live ?
Or neutral to neutral ?
Or worse.
Across two phases ?
Is the circuit connected in the correct fashion....I have know a lighting circuit where the neutral was derived from one [live] phase and the live another...and not labelled...good fun for a few minutes. And another where the circuit was isolated by throwing the 'breaker, but the neutral was derived from yet another breaker, and not labelled.
Personally, I always test the tester first, then check that all circuits are dead with respect to a reliable earth.
I only have one life.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Carrickman
Don't use a multi meter. Use a voltage indicator (GS 38) as Tony has said.
One thing here. As has happened in the past and no doubt will happen in the future... Test at the intake of the panel is one thing BUT be warned!!!
Some people modify control panels on occasion and do not modify the drawing to the extent that not all live conductors (neutral as well as phase) are isolated by the main switch. If you use a 'non contact' type voltage indicator that operates on frequency as a back-up (but not instead off) then run this over all the panel wiring. Any live ac conductors will show up (as before test on a known live conductor before and after test.
Now a few non electrical my poo poo this advice but working electricians and testers/inspectors will know the value of these words. I shall PM you my mobile number if you like.
Test between phase/phases, phase/phases and neutral, DO NOT forget to test between neutral and earth. I'll explain the last test one day.
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