Re: voltage drop
Originally posted by iwire:
[QB] Is the test a valid one for a dwelling unit?
What load does the suretest put on the circuit?/QB]
Bob point taken. It was late when I posted, and it came across to me that the meter is not accurate, I contest it is.
"Is it a valid test for a dwelling unit?" In the hands of a experienced user, it is a valuable tool to indicate the integrity of the circuit. One must know about how long the service, feeders, and branch circuits are, and if there is any other loads present. In a dwelling unit I wouldn't be too concerned about what the percentage of voltage drop is, but I would look a to make sure the ungrounded, grounded, and ground circuit conductors impedance are roughly the same (say less than .4 ohms, and approx equal to each other)
"What load does it put on a circuit"? A pulsed 15-amps between L-N,, L-G, and no load measurement from L-N, and L-G. From the measurements the meter can determine polarity, voltage drop, conductor impedance, proper/illegal N-G bonds, approx wattage of a device, etc.
As to the original question, should a home inspector be using one? Probable not. I have doubts a home inspector would have enough electrical knowledge, training, and experience to interpret the results.