Ideal ND2291 User Manual

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#61-152
#61-153

SureTest®Model ST 1D Instructions

Introduction

The SureTest®family of circuit analyzers identify
problems common to electrical circuits quickly,
easily and accurately. They have a patented
voltage drop test, which applies a full 15 ampere
load without causing interruption to equipment
on the circuit.

Product Features

• Identifies and Locates
Loose Wire Connections
Bad Splices/Receptacles
High Resistance Grounds
False (Bootleg) Grounds
Shared Neutrals

• Verifies
Proper Wiring in 3-Wire Receptacles
Proper GFCI Operation
Dedicated Circuit Presence
Isolated Ground Presence (with the 61-176 Isolated Ground Adapter)

• Measures
Line Voltage
Ground Impedance
% Voltage Drop by Conducting an Actual Full 15 Amp Load Test
% Voltage Drop by Simulating a 20 Amp Load Test
GFCI Trip Time
Neutral-to-Ground Voltage
Estimated Load on Circuit

General Operation

The SureTest®Model ST-1D Circuit Analyzer takes only seconds to test each
outlet and circuit under a full load. The ST-1D indicates proper wiring, volt­age drop and line voltage in an easy pass/fail format. A simple program­ming menu gives access to measurements of line voltage, voltage drop at a
full 15 amperes and 20 amperes, ground-to-neutral voltage, estimated load
on the circuit and ground impedance. The ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) test is performed separately and will disrupt the electrical supply if a
functional GFCI is present.

Any discrepancies from a normal reading indicates that a problem
has been detected in the circuit.

For use in 3-prong (grounded) outlets, inset the ST-1D into the receptacle
with the ground pin extended. For use in 2-prong (non-grounded) outlets,
leave the ground pin retracted. Non-grounded (2-prong) outlets will be
tested for voltage drop and line voltage only.

WARNING

Do not use on outputs from UPS systems, light dimmers or square
wave generating equipment.

Insert the unit in the receptacle, observe test results, remove and reinsert the
unit while pressing the test button to perform the ground impedance test,
and then move on to the next receptacle. Allow at least 20 seconds
between insertions. Repeatedly inserting the SureTest into a receptacle will
exceed its ability to dissipate heat within the unit, resulting in fluctuating
readings or damage to the unit.

False Ground Indication

Sometimes 2-wire receptacles are replaced with 3-wire receptacles to
accommodate 3-wire plugs. A short placed between ground and neutral on
the back of the receptacle will test and appear to be a normal 3-wire circuit.
Common receptacle testers will test this configuration as a normal 3-wire
outlet.

Display of "FG" on the LED display on power-up indicates a suspected false
ground. False ground is defined as a short between the ground and neutral
wires very close to the receptacle. A false ground may also be indicated if
the receptacle is within 15 feet of the neutral-ground bonding point at the
panel, or if conduit is being used as the ground conductor.

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Specifications

Case Construction: GE Cycolac molded plastic
Operating Range: 108 to 132 Volts (61-152)

207 to 253 v. (61-153)
Power Consumption: 1 Watt contin; 1800 W peak
Wiring Indications: Pass/Fail format.
Digital Display: Seven segment L.E.D., .3”
Operating Temp.: 0 C to 50 C
Storage Temp.: -20 C to +65 C
Dimensions: 17.78 x 7.62 x 3.81 cm
Weight: 200 grams (7 ounces)

Accuracy

Line Voltage: ±2.5% full scale ±1 digit
Voltage Drop: ±2.5% full scale ±1 digit
Ground-to-Neutral Voltage: ±2.5% full scale ±1 digit
Est. Load on Circuit: ±10% full scale ±1 digit
Ground Impedance: ±2.5% full scale ±1 digit (0-1 Ohm)

±5.0% full scale ±1 digit (1-2 Ohm)
GFCI Trip Time: ±2.5” full scale ±1 digit

Front Panel Indicators

Test Procedures
Pass/Fail Indication

The ST-1D checks receptacles for proper wiring, and give a pass/fail indica­tion of voltage drop and line voltage. These tests are performed immediately
upon insertion of the SureTest into the receptacle.

Wiring Verification

The ST-1D checks receptacle wiring for the following conditions:
Correct wiring, no ground, polarity reversed, no hot, or no neutral or hot and

ground reversed. These conditions are indicated on the wiring indicators.

Insert the ST-1D into the receptacle for indication of the wiring condition.

WARNING

An indication of “No Ground” on the wiring indicators indicates a
safety hazard is present. Defective grounds must be repaired prior to
the GFCI test.

The ST-1D will not indicate a reversal of the ground and neutral
connections, detect two hot connections, or indicate simultaneous
defects.

Wiring Indicators
Ground Impedance Indicators
Ground-to-Neutral Indicators
G.F.C.I. Test Button
LED Display

1

2

3

4

5

1
2
3
4
5

3

V
o
l
t

D
r
o
p

®

SureTest

Circuit Analyzer

Wiring Indicators

L

P

A

S

I

Y

D

A

E

D

C

V

N

A

61-152 ST-1D

1 = Line Voltage
2 = % Voltage Drop 15 AMP
3 = % Voltage Drop 20 AMP
4 = Highest Voltage Gnd./Neutral
5 = Load on line ± 10%

6 = Ground Impedance in Ohms
(Hold button insert Sure Test)

GFCI Test. Hold Button 3 Sec.

L
n

V
o
l
t

FG = False Ground

WIRING INDICATIONS

NORMAL
NO GROUND
POLARITY REVERSED
NO HOT
NO NEUTRAL or
HOT/GROUND REVERSED

OFF

ON

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Voltage Drop Testing

The ST-1D checks the voltage drop of a receptacle under a full 15 ampere
load without interruption to equipment on the circuit. The voltage drop
LEDs, located on the left side of the instrument, will indicate a pass/fail con­dition based on the maximum voltage drop for branch circuits recommend­ed by the National Electrical Code for reasonable efficiency. (NEC article
210-19. FPN 4)

1. Insert the ST-1D into the receptacle

• Green confirms that a full 15 ampere load causes less than
a 5% voltage drop

• Amber indicates that the voltage drop in the circuit is greater than
5% under a full 15 ampere load

Line Voltage Testing

The St-1D checks line voltage of the receptacle to ensure that it is within
10% of the nominal line voltage. For the 120VAC version, #61-152, the
line voltage should be between 108 and 132 volts. For the 230VAC version,
#61-153, the line voltage should be between 207 and 253 volts.

1. Insert the ST-1D into the receptacle

• Green confirms that the line voltage is within 10%

• Red indicates that the line voltage is beyond the specified 10%

tolerance

NOTE: A failure of the line voltage test will force a failure of the voltage
drop test.

Electrical Measurements

In addition to pass fail/indication of key wiring and electrical test parame­ters, the ST-1D will measure key electrical values such as line voltage, volt­age drop under 15 and 20 ampere loads, ground-to-neutral voltage, esti­mated load and ground impedance. These measurements are accessed
through a simple programming menu.

Unless a false ground condition exists, the ST-1D will show "L-n"- in the
LED display, located on the bottom of the instrument. This indicates that
the unit is calibrating itself prior to testing. After this calibration is per­formed, the ST-1D automatically enters into the programming menu. The
LED display cycles between the numerical sequence of the test, and the
measurement every four seconds. Press and hold the display advance but­ton for 1 second to move through the menu to the next test.

1. Insert the ST-1D into the receptacle

2. The LED display will show "L-n"- to indicate self-calibration of the unit

3. The LED display will show “1=” to indicate that the first measurement is
being taken.

4. The first measurement is tested and displayed

5. The LED display alternates between the numerical sequence of the test
and the measurement every four seconds

6. Press and hold the display advance button for one second to move to
the next test

The fifth measurement, estimated load, is the final test in the menu.
Pressing and holding the display advance button will move back to line
voltage, the first test in the menu.

Line Voltage Measurement

The line voltage test is indicated on the LED display by “1=”. After four
seconds the display cycles to the actual line voltage measurement. The
LED display alternates between “1=” and the line voltage measurement
every four seconds.

Voltage Drop Measurement - 15 Amp Load

The voltage drop test at 15 Amps is indicated on the LED display by “2=”.
This measurement is tested under a full 15 ampere load without interruption
to equipment on the circuit. The National Electrical Code recommends 5%
as the maximum voltage drop for branch circuits for reasonable efficiency.
(NEC article 210-19. FPN 4)

Voltage Drop Measurement - 20 Amp Load

The voltage drop test at 20 Amps is indicated on the LED display by “3=”.
This measurement is calculated from a 15 ampere load.

Ground-to-Neutral Voltage Measurement

The ground-to-neutral voltage test is indicated on the LED display by “4=”.
Ground-to-neutral voltage results from current flowing in the neutral con­ductor from other equipment on the circuit. High ground-to-neutral voltage
indicates that the circuit may be loaded near its capacity or the neutral con­ductor may be shared or carrying harmonic distortion. A reading of less
than 2 volts usually indicates a usable outlet. An excessive ground-to-neu­tral voltage may result in inconsistent or intermittent equipment perfor­mance. This is a peak reading, which will be reset by pressing the display
advance button, and cycling through the menu until the LED display shows
“4=” again.