BD Loops BD-Megger Programming manual

BD-Megger
Analog 0-600 AC Volt Meter and
Megohmmeter/Insulation Tester
Megohmmeter are the only meter that can test for the
most common loop issue—a nick in the insulation
causing the loop to short to ground.
Are you testing your loops correctly?
Read this pamphlet to find out!
Do you have the right
meter for testing loops?
BD Loops | 8161 Monroe Ave | Stanton, CA 90680
P: 714-723-0946 | F: 714-890-1603 | www.bdloops.com
The BD Loop Megger includes:
 Batteries
 Quick Start Instructions for Testing Loops
 In-depth Instructions for Testing Loops
 Testing Record Booklet - Track loop performance and protect
your installation.
 Carrying Case
BD Loops E-Z Detector Checker
Take the guess work out of your next gate servicing trip with the BD
Loops E-Z Detector Checker. The only device of its kind that can
help pinpoint what is causing the problem within a loop circuit by the
art of substitution.
1. 2. 3.

What is the best Meter for Testing a Loop? If you do not feel that your operator chassis is a good “ground” op-
tion you can drive a screw driver into a garden bed and douse the
screwdriver with water to create a solid ground connection.
Testing Steps:
Step 1: Remove the loop lead from the operator or detector.
Step 2: Attach one of the megohmmeter's clips (if your megohmme-
ter has clips) to an earth ground such as the operator frame or a 12"
screwdriver driven into the ground. (You can pour water on the
screwdriver to help ground the connection.)
Step 3: If the device has switches on it, make sure it is set to the MΩ
position.
Step 4: Touch the other clip or lead from the megohmmeter to one
of the loop lead-ins.
Step 5: Read the Meter.
If you are using an analog meter look at the needle's position:
Below 10 - Bad Loop (This Loop will need to be replaced)
10-40- Suspect or Questionable Loop (we highly recommend that
you replace the loop)
45-2000 - Good Loop
Step 6: Water down the area of the loop and lead-in and then take
another reading. Loops often require water in the groove to facilitate
a short to ground, and will read as a good loop in dry conditions. Is
your reading significantly lower with water in the groove?
If you are using a digital meter: (They are a bit more difficult to read)
You will likely have to read the instructions that came with your me-
ter to make sure you are interpreting the results correctly. Some digi-
tal meters give number readings similar to the analog meters, and in
that case use the chart above. Some meters have lights that will tell
you if the loop is good, questionable, or bad.
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to picking the right
meter for testing loops. Especially when it comes to under-
standing the differences between multimeters and megohm-
meters.
To properly “meg” a loop we must use a megohmmeter and
not a multimeter. Because multimeters have an “ohm” setting
many installers falsely believe that a multimeter can be used to
“meg a loop” when it cannot. Here is a quick look at how me-
gohmmeters and multimeters differ:
Multimeters generally measure Continuity, Resistance, and
Voltage. For loops multimeters will check continuity, but will not
tell you if the loop is shorting to ground.
Megohmmeters are Insulation Testers. Megohmmeters will
tell you if the loop wire's insulation has been nicked as is caus-
ing a short to ground (which is the most common loop issue).
A megohmmeter is the only test meter that can test for the
most common loop issue.
If you do not understand how a megohmmeter works then trying to
figure out how to test with one can be intimidating. A megohmmeter
is looking for a short to ground—so to test for this we must connect
one of the megger’s clips to the loop and the other to ground. The
megohmmeter will look for a connection between the loop and
ground. If there is a connection this means that the loop is leaking
current and possibly shorting to ground.
Here are step by step instructions on how to test a loop using a me-
gohmmeter. What you really want to look out for here is making sure
that you’re attaching one of the megohmmeter’s clip to an earth
ground (such as an operator chassis) and the other clip to one of the
loop’s lead-in wires.
How do you Test a Loop with Megohmmeter?