EBME Forums Forums Maintenance Test Equipment vPad-Mini Electrical Safety Tester? opinions

Hi,
Does anyone use the vPad-Mini electrical safety tester?
I'm very interested to hear how you find this in use, is it simple to operate and does it have auto test sequences?

Many thanks
Andy

medTester 5000c is better

The vPad-Mini can't perform 62353 Alternative or Differential test, so for me would be rejected.

The vPad Rugged 2 does support all 62353 methods and has auto sequences. In the UK you would be better to look at the Rigel 62353+ for a portable EST tester.

Another consideration for 62353 testing is the Gossen Metrawatt Secutest ST Base: https://www.gmciuk.com/gossen-metrawatt-secutest-st-base-1215

This will also support the new BS EN 50699 testing of electrical appliances.

This is really old and the ones I have seen are often faulty (e.g. not outputting the correct current for the protective conductor resistance test). It is replaced by the Fluke ESA620. For portable use it would be the ESA615, or ESA612 if you don't want automation.

I would agree that the vPad Rugged-2 is a safer bet. I would also suggest that in some ways it is the true successor to the venerable medTester ... I'm thinking here about the possible use of Autosequences etc., as well as connectivity.

I believe that the vPad Mini is marketed as an "entry level" tester (and presumably is priced accordingly). To be honest, I don't see the point of that - especially considering the limitations to 62353 testing mentioned.

The GMC looks very nice (like all their kit) ... but is possibly a bit too "advanced" for day-to-day field use. I'm not sure how it rates in the "automation" (Autosequences approach) stakes, either.*

Regarding Datrend versus Rigel ... I would say that could depend upon what other test kit you use. In short, for reasons of compatibility (and interfacing ... both with each other and with databases) I would stick with one or another of the "family". That is:- all from Datrend, or all from Rigel ... or all from Fluke (of course), or even Netech, or BC Group, Pronk et al.

The bottom line here is that, if I were again to hold contractual obligations for EST of medical equipment, I would go for the vPad Rugged-2 (not the Mini), and would build up its full utility with the various Datrend "apps" available to it. A modern day medTester, if you will.

By the way, I believe the reference to the medTester 5000c at post #7710 may have been intended as a joke (possibly aimed at Yours Truly); but, as we know, the medTester is from a bygone age ... and (as mentioned a few times before) I have never seen or heard of a 220 V version.

* IZYTRONIQ software ... does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks for the comments, really appreciated