Ethos 8400 User Manual

Ethos Test Instruments, Distributed by MTI,

Victoria Road, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9DB

TEL [phone] FA X 0117 923 5374

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.ethos-instruments.co.uk

©2015 – Issue 2.V1

8400

17TH EDITION MULTIFUNCTION

INSTALLATION TESTER

USER MANUAL

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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The Ethos 8400 Multifunction Tester has been designed and built to the

highest standards providing you with a safe and simple solution to your test

requirements.

The Ethos 8400 tester is used to verify the safety of Commercial, Domestic

and Industrial electrical installations. All testing is required to meet the

latest IEE 17th edition of the wiring regulations (BS7671). The Ethos 8400

covers all aspects of these requirements with ease of use and safety in mind.

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Introduction page 3

Markings & Warnings page 4-5

Unpacking Tester page 6

Operating Tester & Overview page 7-9

Continuity page 9-11

Insulation page 11-13

Socket/Polarity page 14-15

Loop Impedance page 16-21

RCD page 22-26

Phase Rotation page 26

Specification page 27-30

Warranty page 31

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This tester complies with all the latest UK and European regulations.
This tester has been tested according to the following regulations:

 BS EN 61010-2-030:2010 - Safety requirements for electrical equipment for

measurement, control and laboratory use. Particular requirements for testing and measuring
circuits.

 BS EN 61326-2-2:2013 - Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory

use. Particular requirements for portable test, measuring and monitoring equipment used in
low-voltage distribution systems.

 BS EN 61557:2007 - Electrical safety in low voltage distribution systems up to 1000V AC.

and 1500V DC. Equipment for testing, measuring or monitoring of protective measures.

 Part 1: General Requirements

 Part 2: Insulation Requirements

 Part 3: Loop Requirements

 Part 4: Continuity Requirements

 Part 6: RCD Requirements

 Part 7: Phase Rotation Requirements

 Part 10: Multifunction Requirements

 When working on live circuits, use of a proving unit such as the Ethos

4299 is recommended to establish correct function of the tester.

 If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the

manufacturer, the protection by the equipment may be impaired.

 Disconnect from external circuits before removing battery cover.
 Inspect the tester and accessories for damage before use and do not

use if damage is found.

 To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, or personal injury:
 Use the product only as specified, or the protection supplied by the

product can be compromised.

 Do not use the product around explosive gas, vapour or in damp or

wet environments.

 Do not use test leads if they are damaged. Examine the test leads for

damaged insulation, exposed metal, or if the wear indicator shows.
Check test lead continuity.

 Use only approved Ethos accessories such as test leads etc supplied

with the instrument. Part numbers of replacement leads on page 6.

 Do not use the product if it is damaged.
 To be repaired by Ethos authorised agents only.
 Do not apply more than the rated voltage between the terminals or

between each terminal and earth ground.

 Remove test leads from the tester before battery cover is removed.
 Do not operate the product with covers removed or the case open.

Hazardous voltage exposure is possible.

 Use only specified replacement fuse. Fuse type F0.5A, 500V, HRC,

6.3 x 32mm.

 Keep fingers behind the finger guards on the probes at all times.
 Connect the common test lead before the live test lead and remove

the live test lead before the common test lead.

 Use Personal Protective Equipment (approved rubber gloves, face

protection, and flame-resistant clothes) to prevent shock and arc
blast injury where hazardous live conductors are exposed.

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Warning! Refer to manual.

Caution! Voltage present. Risk of Electric Shock.

Earth

Double Insulation

This instrument should be recycled as electronic waste.

User accessible fuse in battery compartment - F0.5A, 500V, HRC 6.3 x 32mm

Prohibited to use for the Electrical System which uses the voltage above 550V.

Conformity to European Standards

CAT III Testers are designed to protect against transients and fault currents in fixed
equipment installations at the distribution level. Examples are measurements on
distribution boards and socket wiring.
CAT IV Testers are designed to protect against transients and fault currents from the
primary supply level (overhead or underground utility service). Examples are
measurements made before the main fuse or circuit breaker.

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 Before using the Ethos 8400 or accessories read this instruction

manual carefully to ensure a safe understanding of the symbols and
use of this tester

 See above for a list of symbols used on the product and in this

manual.

 A Warning identifies hazardous conditions and actions that could

cause bodily harm or death.

 A Caution identifies conditions and actions that could damage the

instrument or cause permanent loss of data.

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 

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 To maintain operator safety use only specified Ethos accessories.

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







CAT III
CAT IV

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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Your Ethos 8400 Multifunction Tester comes complete with:

D

ESCRIPTION PART NO QTY

Multifunction Tester Ethos 8400 1

Instruction Manual 1

3 Wire Split Lead Ethos 2125 1

Assembly with Probes +

Crocodile Clips Brown/Blue/Green

13 Amp Mains Lead to 4mm Ethos 2126 1

Connections Brown/Blue/Green

Remote Switch Probe Ethos 2127 1

AA LR6 Alkaline Battery Duracell 6

Heavy Duty Carry Case Ethos 8001 1

Neck Strap Ethos 2128 1

Certificate of Calibration 1

Warranty Registration Card (terms of 3 year warranty) 1

All the parts listed above are included in the carry case.

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To insert batteries ensure the instrument is switched
off and no test leads are connected.
Remove battery cover from base of unit, insert
batteries into holder ensuring correct polarity.

Replace cover.

Always use good quality LR6 AA Alkaline Batteries.

Re-chargeable batteries are not suitable.

Battery power level indicated on the colour display by the symbol shown.
Please dispose of your batteries carefully.
Batteries are made from important resources and chemicals,including
lead, cadmium,zinc, lithium and mercury. If batteries are disposed of as
normal waste, they’ll be taken to a landfill site and those resources will be
lost and will contribute to the pollution of the environment. Recycling is
one way you can help the environment and you should dispose of used
batteries separately from other waste, using local collection and recycling
schemes available.
To clean the tester use a damp cloth do not use any solvents. Do not allow
any water ingress and ensure tester is fully dry before use
When replacing/removing fuse from inside battery compartment do not use any sharp
implements for this task.

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Front panel and controls

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Top View

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All test Functions are selected by using the main rotary switch.

1 Power off.
2 Socket/Polarity Test
3 No Trip Earth Loop Impedance Test
4 High Current Earth Loop Impedance Test
5 30mA Auto Sequence Type G RCD Test
6 30mA RCD Test (Manual) Type G
7 100mA RCD Test (Manual) Type G
8 300mA RCD Test (Manual) Type G
9 500mA RCD Test (Manual) Type G
10 100mA RCD Test (Manual) Type S
11 300mA RCD Test (Manual) Type S
12 Phase Rotation Test
13 1000V Insulation/Resistance Test
14 500V Insulation/Resistance Test
15 250V Insulation/Resistance Test
16 Continuity Test

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Push Buttons

1 Test Button - Initiates all selected tests.
2 Test Lock - Hands Free function for

Continuity,Insulation & Loop

3 PFC/Loop - Prospective fault current

value after Loop Test Result

4 RCD Recall - List the last set of RCD

Test Data from an Auto sequence Test

5 Continuity Null - Nulls the Resistance

Value from the Test Leads in use

6 Polarity Test Pad - Unique safety

function ensuring correct mains polarity

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To ensure long battery life the Ethos 8400 will
automatically power off when standing idle for 3
minutes.To power the Ethos 8400 either return the selector switch to “OFF” and then back to
the test selection or simply press any of the four buttons under the display screen.

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  CAUTION

Measurements shall only be carried out on de-energised circuits.
If the tester is connected to a live circuit (25V or greater), the LED will flash red and the
hazard buzzer will sound.Your Ethos 8400 is fully protected but measured RMS voltage
will be displayed on the secondary/lower display. Further testing after this point will be
inhibited.To resume testing, disconnect the test leads and isolate the circuit.
All equipment and appliances should be disconnected from the circuit under test.
Attached equipment may be damaged by the higher voltages applied during testing and
may return an artificially low test result.
There may be capacitance on the circuit being tested.Your tester will automatically
discharge this but do not disconnect the test leads or change tester function until auto­discharge has completed.

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