Martindale Electric VT12 User manual

VT12
VOLTAGE TESTER
Instruction
Manual

ALWAYS READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE PROCEEDING
Thank you for buying one of our products.
For safety and full understanding of its
benets please read this manual before use.
Technical support is available from
[phone] and
[email protected].
CONTENTS
1 Safety Information 1
1.1 Meaning of Symbols and Markings 1
1.2 Precautions 2
1.3 Safety Advice 3
2 Introduction 4
2.1 Inspection 4
2.2 Description 4
2.3 Accessories 4
2.4 Battery Installation 4
3 Operation 5
3.1 Description of VT12 Elements and LED 5
Indicators
3.2 Low Battery Check 6
3.3 Operating Duty Ratio 6
3.4 Proving Check 7
3.5 Removable Probe Tip Covers 8
3.6 Testing for the Presence of Hazardous 8
Live Voltage
3.7 Interference (Phantom) Voltage 9
3.8 Single Pole Phase Test 9
3.9 Testing for Continuity 9
4 Maintenance 10
4.1 Battery Replacement 10
4.2 Periodic Testing 10
4.3 Cleaning 10
4.4 Repair & Service 10
4.5 Storage Conditions 10
5 Warranty 11
Specications

1. SAFETY INFORMATION
REMEMBER: SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT
These instructions contain both information
and warnings that are necessary for the safe
operation and maintenance of this product. It
is recommended that you read the instructions
carefully and ensure that the contents are
fully understood. Failure to understand and to
comply with the warnings and instructions can
result in serious injury, damage or even death.
Particular attention should be paid to the
Warnings, Precautions and Technical
Specications.
Please keep these instructions for future
reference. Updated instructions and product
information are available at:
www.martindale-electric.co.uk
1.1 Meaning of Symbols and Markings
Caution - risk of danger & refer to
instructions
Caution - risk of electric shock
Equipment protected by double or
reinforced insulation (Class II)
Suitable for live working
Alternating current (AC)
CAT II (Measurement Category II) is applicable to
test and measuring equipment connected
directly to utilization points (socket outlets
and similar points) of the low-voltage MAINS
installation.
CAT III (Measurement Category III) is applicable
to test and measuring equipment connected
to the distribution part of the building’s low-
voltage MAINS installation.
CAT IV (Measurement Category IV) is applicable
to test and measuring equipment connected
at the source of the building’s low-voltage
MAINS installation.
For further information on measurement categories
visit www.martindale-electric.co.uk/measurement_
categories.php.
Equipment complies with relevant UK
Conformity Assessed marking
Equipment complies with relevant EU
Directives
End of life disposal of this equipment
should be in accordance with relevant
Directives
1

2
1.2 Precautions
This product has been designed with your
safety in mind, but please pay attention to
the following warnings and cautions before
use.
Warnings
In order to avoid the danger of electrical
shock, it is important that proper safety
measures are taken when working with
voltages exceeding the extra low voltage
(ELV) limit of 50V AC RMS or 120V DC.
Where applicable other safety measures
such as the use of protective gloves,
goggles etc. should be employed.
The voltage tester must only be used by a
skilled and competent person who is familiar
with the relevant regulations, the safety risks
involved and the consequent normal safe
working practices.
Before each use the voltage tester should
be examined for damage, cracks, cuts or
scratches to the housing, cable and prods.
The cable has black outer and contrasting
inner insulation, to allow damage to the
cable to be easily identied. If there is any
doubt the voltage tester should not be
used.
Make sure the voltage tester is dry, clean
and free from dust, grease and moisture
while in use to avoid the danger from electric
shock due to surface leakage.
Before and after each use, the voltage tester
must be proven using a suitable proving
device or a known good voltage source. Do
not use the voltage tester if any expected
LED’s fail to illuminate correctly during
proving.
Testing for a voltage that exceeds the
specied limits of the voltage tester may
damage the voltage tester and may expose
the operator to a shock hazard. Always
check the voltage tester’s specied limits
before use.
The voltage tester must only be used in low
voltage systems of CAT IV up to 300V, of
CAT III and CAT II up to 690V, and within the
operating temperature and humidity range
specied.

3
If the probe tip shrouds are not tted, great
care must be taken when testing CAT III
and CAT IV installations to avoid the risk of
shorting high energy circuits and arc ash.
Do not use the voltage tester in damp
conditions.
Do not use the voltage tester if the battery
casing is not tted.
Always keep your ngers behind the nger
guards. Never touch the exposed metal prod
tips.
The different indicating signals of the voltage
tester (including the ELV limit indication) are
not to be used for measuring purposes.
The voltage tester must not be dismantled
or modied in any way by unauthorized
persons. The safety of the voltage
tester cannot be guaranteed under such
circumstances and it must not be used.
Cautions
Avoid severe mechanical shock or vibration
and extreme temperature.
If the voltage tester has been stored or
transported in temperatures outside its
normal operating range it should be given
sufcient time to stabilise in the environment
where it is to be used. An acclimatisation
time of at least 2 hours is required prior to
operation of the voltage tester.
To avoid possible corrosion from leaking
batteries, remove the batteries if discharged,
or when the unit is not in use for an
extended period.
1.3 Safety Advice
Depending on the internal impedance of
the voltage tester there will be a different
capability of indicating the presence or
absence of operating voltage in case of the
presence of interference voltage.
A voltage tester of relatively low internal
impedance, compared to the reference value
of 100kΩ, will not indicate all interference
voltages having an original voltage value
above the ELV level. When in contact with
the parts to be tested, the voltage tester
may discharge temporarily the interference
voltage to a level below the ELV, but it will be
back to the original value when the voltage
tester is removed.

4
When the indication “voltage present”
does not appear, it is highly recommended
installing earthing equipment before work.
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Inspection
Examine the shipping carton for any
sign of damage. Inspect the unit and any
accessories for damage. If there is any
damage then consult your distributor
immediately.
2.2 Description
The VT12 is a voltage tester used for
proving circuits are dead i.e. not hazardous
live. It is constructed in accordance with the
latest safety standards.
The voltage tester has the following
features:
u AC and DC Voltage testing up to 690V
u Continuity test with optical and
acoustical indication up to 500kΩ
uSingle pole phase test
u Automatic AC/DC detection
u Bright LED indication
u Indication of voltage above the ELV level
when batteries at
u Ergonomic and robust housing
u Probe-tip protection
u Complies with BS EN 61243-3:2014
u Complies with GS38 when probe tip
covers are tted
u Measurement Category CAT IV 300V,
CAT III 690V
2.3 Accessories
u Probe tip covers (tted)
u 2 x 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries
uInstructions
2.4 Battery Installation
Refer to Section 4.1 (Battery Replacement)
for battery installation instructions.

3. OPERATION
3.1 Description of VT12 Elements and LED
Indicators
1Probe tip protection
2Positive probe
3Voltage threshold indicators
4Polarity indicators
5 Buzzer
6Phase indicator
7 ELV indicator
8 Continuity RX indicator
9 Battery compartment cover
Polarity indicators
When connected to a DC voltage source
either the + or – polarity LED’s 4 will
illuminate dependant on polarity. The positive
probe 2 is on the main body and is marked
with +.
5

When connected to an AC voltage source
both the + and – LED’s will illuminate.
The polarity LED’s will illuminate when the
voltage source is ≥ 12V AC rms or DC.
Voltage threshold indicators
The voltage threshold LED’s 3 will
illuminate when the magnitude of the voltage
source is at a value approaching or greater
than the corresponding marked voltage. For
example if the voltage source is 55V AC rms
then the 24V and 50V LED’s will illuminate,
if 690V AC rms all voltage threshold LED’s
from 24V to 690V will illuminate.
ELV indicator
If the batteries are low or exhausted a
hazardous live voltage will not be indicated
by the polarity or voltage threshold LED’s,
but an indication of a voltage above the ELV
limit (50V) will continue to be indicated by
the ELV LED 7.
Continuity indicator
The continuity RX LED 8 will illuminate to
indicate continuity of a circuit under test.
Phase Indictor
The phase LED 6indicates the presence of
AC voltage when the unit is used as a single
pole phase detector.
Buzzer
The buzzer will sound when:
Voltage above the ELV threshold (50V) is
present,
or AC voltage is detected when used as a
single pole phase tester,
or circuit continuity is detected.
3.2 Low Battery Check
Before and after each use short the test
probes of the voltage tester together and
check for an audible tone.
If there is no audible tone the batteries need
to be replaced (see section 4.1 Battery
Replacement).
Do not use the unit if the batteries need
replacing.
3.3 Operating Duty Ratio
The voltage tester should be operated (ON)
for a maximum period of 30 seconds. This
should be followed by a recovery period
(OFF) of 4 minutes.
6

The operating duty ratio is 8 to 1, so if the
voltage tester is only ON for 2 seconds then
the OFF period need only be 16 seconds.
3.4 Proving Check
Before each use the voltage tester should
be examined for damage, cracks, cuts or
scratches to the housing, cable and prods.
The cable has black outer and contrasting
inner insulation, to allow damage to the cable
to be easily identied. If there is any doubt
the voltage tester should not be used.
Before and after use, verify the voltage tester
is functioning correctly with a proving device
(PD690-S is recommended), or a known
good voltage source. Do not use the voltage
tester if any expected voltage indication
LED’s fail to illuminate correctly during
proving.
The LED’s that illuminate during proving will
depend on the magnitude of the proving unit
output or the voltage source. See table 1.
Also check the buzzer sounds during proving.
Table 1.
VT12
LED’s
Voltage
source
230V 50Hz
Proving unit type
PD430
PD440
PD690
PD700 PD710
RX Off Off Off Off
ELV On On On On
Phase On On On On
+12V On On On Only +
or - On*
-12V On On On
24V On On On On
50V On On On On
120V On On On On
230V On On On On
400V Off On On On
690V Off Off On On
*Illumination of the 12V polarity LED’s
depends on the polarity of the connections to
the PD710. Always reverse the connections
to the PD710 to check the other 12V LED.
If only the ELV LED illuminates during
proving then check the batteries.
7

Warning
If the proving device or voltage source
exceeds the specied limits of the voltage
tester the voltage tester may be damaged
and the operator exposed to a shock hazard.
Always check the specication of the proving
device or the voltage magnitude of the
voltage source before proceeding with a
proving check.
During this verication emphasis should
also be placed upon the exing of the
voltage tester’s cable along its length, and
particularly at the entry points to the hand
held elements, to conrm that the cable has
not been fractured.
3.5 Removable Probe Tip Covers
The probes are tted with removable probe
tip covers allowing the probes to comply with
GS38.
Where access to test points may require
extended probe tips, the probe tip covers
may be removed.
Where possible is advisable to keep these
shrouds tted. If removed, great care must be
taken when using the voltage tester on CAT
III and CAT IV installations to avoid the risk of
shorting high energy circuits and arc ash.
3.6 Testing for the Presence of Hazardous
Live Voltage
Warning
Hold the voltage tester and test prod behind
the nger guards in a manner that will not
obscure the voltage indication LED’s. Never
touch the exposed metal test prods or any
part of the voltage tester forward of the
nger guards while applied to hazardous
voltages.
If testing at locations with high background
noise levels, always determine whether the
buzzer is perceptible before relying solely on
the buzzer indication.
While taking all required safety precautions
connect both test probes to the UUT (Unit or
location under test).
The polarity and voltage level of any voltage
present will be indicated by the illumination of
the voltage tester LED’s (see section 3.1).
8

The buzzer will also sound if voltage is
present.
Note: The individual LED indications,
including the ELV LED, are not to be used
for measuring purposes.
3.7 Interference (Phantom) Voltage
It is possible for wiring that is ‘dead’ to
indicate the apparent presence of voltage at
power frequency.
If wiring that is live is running in close
proximity to the ‘dead’ wiring being tested,
there can be capacitive or inductive
coupling between the two, thereby causing
interference (phantom) voltage.
3.8 Single Pole Phase Test
Warning
Single pole phase testing is not suitable to
determine if a circuit is not hazardous live.
A double pole voltage test should always
be used for that purpose.
While taking all required safety precautions
connect the positive test probe 2to the
UUT (Unit or location under test).
The phase indicator LED 6 will illuminate
and the buzzer will sound if the presence of
AC voltage >100V is detected.
3.9 Testing for Continuity
While taking all required safety precautions
rmly connect both test prods to the UUT
(Unit or location under test).
The continuity indicator RX LED 8 will
illuminate and the buzzer will sound to
indicate circuit continuity.
Do not rely solely on the buzzer as an
indication of continuity. Always check the
voltage threshold LED indications as the
buzzer also sounds to indicate the presence
of voltage.
9

4. MAINTENANCE
4.1 Battery Replacement
To avoid shock or injury, disconnect the
voltage tester from any external circuits
before proceeding.
To gain access to the battery compartment,
loosen the screw securing the battery
compartment cover and pull back the cover.
Fit 2 new 1.5V, AAA alkaline batteries (IEC
LR03, NEDA 24A).
Replace the battery cover and tighten the
screw.
Note: Do not mix old and new batteries.
4.2 Periodic Testing
To maintain the integrity of the voltage tester,
Martindale Electric recommends that it is
returned at least once a year to verify physical
integrity, electrical specication and insulation
integrity.
Martindale Electric is pleased to offer you this
service. Please contact our Service Department
for details.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: [phone]
4.3 Cleaning
Warning
To reduce the risk of surface leakage, this
instrument must be kept in a clean condition.
Prior to cleaning, ensure that the instrument
is disconnected from any voltage source.
If contamination is found, clean with a damp
soft cloth and if necessary a mild detergent
or alcohol. Do not use abrasives, abrasive
solvents, or detergents which can cause
damage to the unit. If a mild detergent is used,
the unit should subsequently be thoroughly
cleaned with a water dampened soft cloth.
After cleaning, dry and allow to remain in a dry
environment for 2 hours before use.
4.4 Repair and Service
There are no user serviceable parts in this
unit. Return to Martindale Electric if faulty. Our
service department will quote promptly to repair
any fault that occurs outside the guarantee
period.
Before the unit is returned, please ensure that
you have checked the unit and batteries.
4.5 Storage Conditions
The instrument should be kept in cool, dry
conditions and not subjected to shock,
scratching or other damage, prolonged direct
10

11
harsh sunlight, extremes of temperature and
in such a manner as to preserve the working
life of the unit. It is strongly advised that the
unit is not kept in a tool box where other tools
may damage it.
5. WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF
LIABILITY
This Martindale product is warranted to be
free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service. The warranty
period is 2 years and begins on the date
of receipt by the end user. This warranty
extends only to the original buyer or end-
user customer, and does not apply to fuses,
disposable batteries, test leads or to any
product which, in Martindale’s opinion,
has been misused, altered, neglected,
contaminated, or damaged by accident or
abnormal conditions of operation, handling or
storage.
Martindale authorised resellers shall extend
this warranty on new and unused products to
end-user customers only but have no authority
to extend a greater or different warranty on
behalf of Martindale.
Martindale’s warranty obligation is limited, at
Martindale’s option, to refund of the purchase
price, free of charge repair, or replacement
of a defective product which is returned to
Martindale within the warranty period.
This warranty is the buyer’s sole and
exclusive remedy and is in lieu of all other
warranties, expressed or implied, including
but not limited to any implied warranty of
merchantability or tness for a particular
purpose. Martindale shall not be liable for any
special, indirect, incidental or consequential
damages or losses, including loss of data,
arising from any cause or theory.
Since some jurisdictions do not allow
limitation of the term of an implied warranty,
or exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, the limitations and
exclusions of this warranty may not apply to
every buyer. If any part of any provision of this
warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by
a court or other decision-maker of competent
jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision
or other part of that provision.
Nothing in this statement reduces your
statutory rights.

ELECTRICAL
Voltage Detector
Maximum working voltage: 690V DC &
AC rms
Nominal voltage threshold indications:
12, 24, 50, 120, 230, 400, 690V AC/DC
Nominal voltage threshold tolerance:
Conforms to BS EN 61243-3:2014
Internal impedance at ELV a.c.: 260kΩ
Polarity indication: from 12V DC/AC rms
Range detection: Automatic
Response time: <0.1s
Frequency range: DC, 0-65Hz
Test current (In): <3.5mA
Duty ratio: 30s ON (operated) / 240s OFF
(recovery)
Overvoltage protection: 690V DC or AC rms
Single Pole Phase Test
Voltage range: 100 to 690V AC rms
Frequency range: 45 to 65Hz
Specication
VT12
Voltage Tester

Continuity
Resistance range: 0 to 500kΩ
Test current: 3µA
Overvoltage protection: 690V DC or AC rms
ENVIRONMENTAL
Temperature (Operating & Storage): -10°C
to 55°C
Humidity (Operating & Storage): ≤ 85% R.H
Altitude: up to 2000m
Pollution degree: 2
GENERAL
Power: 2 x 1.5V, AAA alkaline batteries (IEC
LR03, NEDA 24A)
Battery consumption: 30mA max
Dimensions packed: 250 x 75 x 40 mm
Weight packed: approx. 200g
Includes: 2 x 1.5V AAA batteries, 2 x probe
tip covers, instructions
SAFETY
Conforms to BS EN 61243-3, BS EN 61010-
1
CAT IV 300V, CAT III 690V
Class II, double insulation
IP rating: IP54 to BS EN 60529
GS38 compliance (with probe covers tted)
EMC
Conforms to BS EN 61326-1

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Martindale Electric Co. Ltd. Metrohm House,
12 Imperial Park, Imperial Way, Watford WD24 4PP, UK.
T: [phone] F: [phone]
www.martindale-electric.co.uk
[email protected]
© Martindale Electric Company Ltd. 2023
Registered in England No. 3387451. LITVT12
Ver. D1.0