Ideal ND 5481-4 User Manual
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#61-164
#61-165
Intr
oduction
Utilizing patented technology, the SureTest®circuit analyzers
"look behind walls" to identify wiring problems that can lead to
personal shock hazards, electrical fires, or equipment performance issues. Personal shock
hazards stem from poor grounding, false grounds, and/or no ground fault protection.
Electrical fires are primarily caused from arc faults and high resistance points that lead to
glowing connections in the circuit wiring. And, equipment performance issues arise due to
insufficient voltage available under load, poor ground impedance, and high ground-to-neutral voltage. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of power quality performance issues are related
to the faulty wiring issues stated above.
Product Features
• True RMS
• Measures voltage drop under 12, 15 and 20-amp loads
• Measures voltage: Line, Ground-to-Neutral, Peak, Frequency
• Measures Hot, Neutral and Ground conductor impedances
• Identifies proper wiring in 3-wire receptacles
• Identifies false (bootleg) grounds
• Tests GFCIs for proper operation
• Tests AFCIs for proper operation (61-165)
• Checks for Shared Neutrals that lead to AFCI nuisance tripping (61-165)
• Verifies dedicated circuits (with 61-176 adapter)
• Includes 1-ft. extension cord and carrying case
General Operation
The SureTest®Circuit Analyzer takes only seconds to test each outlet and circuit under a full
load. This test tool checks for various wiring conditions including: correct wiring, polarity
reversal and no ground per UL-1436. A simple menu gives access to measurements of line
voltage, voltage drop under a full load condition, ground-neutral voltage and line impedances.
The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) test is performed separately in accordance with UL1436 and disrupts the electrical supply if a functional GFCI is present.
The SureTest®w/AFCI, #61-165, also tests arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) devices to
ensure that AFCI breakers protecting the circuit have been installed correctly. This test disrupts the electrical supply if a functional AFCI is present. This tool also checks for a shared
neutral condition that leads to AFCI nuisance tripping.
To maintain stated accuracies during repeated use, allow 20 seconds between insertions to
adequately dissipate any heat buildup during the load testing.
SureTest Circuit Analyzer
1. Menu Structure
2. Navigation Buttons
3. GFCI Test Button
4. AFCI Test Button
Menu Navigation
The microprocessor’s top priorities are to take live measurements and then analyze the data.
Hence, the microchip occasionally will not recognize the keypad buttons being rapidly
depressed, while it’s executing these routines. To avoid this issue, hold down the keypad
button each time until the menu changes.
The measurements taken by the SureTest are broken into five main menus positioned down
the left side of the display: Wiring Configuration (•••), Voltage (V), Voltage Drop (VD),
ASCC, and Impedance (Z). To navigate to each of the main menus, use the down arrow
button ( ).
The Wiring Configuration (•••) screen indicates correct wiring, reverse polarity, hot/
ground reversal and no ground conditions by sequencing the three balls. The label on the
back of the product explains the wiring sequence indications.
#61-165
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AFCI
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SureTest®
Circuit Analyzer
WARNING: Do not use on outputs from UPS systems, light dimmers or square
wave generating equipment as damage to the analyzer will occur.
SureTest®Circuit Analyzer
Instruction Manual
#61-165
GFCI
AFCI
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The Voltage (V) menu displays the True RMS line voltage in real-time. This main menu has
a sub-menu positioned horizontally at the bottom of the screen that displays the line voltage
(RMS HN), ground-to-neutral voltage (RMS GN), Peak voltage (Peak), and Frequency
(Hz). To navigate through the submenu, use the side arrow button ( ).
The Voltage Drop (VD) screen dual displays percent voltage drop with a 15 amp load along
with the resultant loaded voltage (VL). This main menu has a submenu, which also displays the percent voltage drop and loaded voltage with 20 amp and 12 amp loads. To navigate through the submenu, use the side arrow button ( ).
The ASCC screen displays the Available Short-Circuit Current that the branch circuit can
deliver through the breaker during a bolted fault (dead-short) condition.
The Impedance (Z) main menu displays the impedance in ohms (Ω) of the hot conductor.
This main menu has a sub-menu positioned horizontally at the bottom of the screen that
also displays the neutral (N) and ground (G) conductor impedances. To navigate through
the submenu, use the side arrow button ( ). Note that testing the ground impedance will
trip a GFCI protected circuit.
GFCI Test Button
Depressing this button displays the GFCI main menu. Two tests can
be performed in this menu: GFCI and EPD. The GFCI tests Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupting devices by faulting 6-9mA from hot-toground per UL-1436. The EPD tests those breakers, which have an
Equipment Protective Device feature that trips the breaker if a ground fault of greater than 30mA
is detected. Pressing the side arrow button ( ) navigates between these two tests. Once the
desired test is highlighted, depress the GFCI test button on the keypad to activate the test.
AFCI Test Button
Depressing this button displays the AFCI main menu. Two tests
can be performed in this menu: AFCI and NEUT. The AFCI tests
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupting devices by creating a 106-141 amp
short-duration arc between the hot and neutral conductors per
UL1436. The NEUT tests for a Shared Neutral or falsely grounded neutral conductor,
which causes AFCI breakers to nuisance trip with normal loads. This test applies 300mA
between hot and neutral to ensure that the AFCI breaker does not trip.
Testing Procedure
Wiring Verification
Immediately after being inserted into a receptacle, the
SureTest displays the IDEAL logo while it performs a battery
of tests. The first test result displayed is the wiring condition.
The SureTest checks for the following conditions and indicates the test result on
the display.
Wiring Condition Display Indication
HGN
Correct Wiring
No Ground
Polarity Reversal
Open/Hot Neutral
False Ground
If the wiring condition is other than normal, the SureTest is limited on its
measurements that can be performed. If a no ground condition exists, only the
line voltage and voltage drop measurements are available. In a hot/ground reversal, open neutral or open hot condition, the unit will not have any power so the
display will be blank.
Notes:
1) Will not detect two hot wires in a circuit.
2) Will not detect a combination of defects.
3) Will not detect reversal of grounded and grounding conductors.
False Ground Indication
NEC article 250-23(a) only allows for a neutral-to-ground bond to occur at the
main panel. The SureTest suggests any improper neutral-to-ground bonds within
15-20 feet upstream (towards the panel) of the tester. If this bond improperly
occurs in the branch circuit through a bootleg ground via a jumper wire at the outlet
device or inadvertent contact of the ground wire to the neutral connection, the
SureTest indicates a false ground condition. Note that if the SureTest is within 1520 feet of the main panel, the unit will indicate a false ground condition on a properly wired circuit due to its close proximity to the proper ground-neutral bond in the
main panel.
Legend
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Voltage Measurements
The line voltage measurement should be 120VAC +/-10% fluctuation at 60 Hz. The peak voltage should be 1.414 times the rms line voltage reading for a clean sine waveform. Ground-toneutral voltage should be less than 2 VAC. In a single-phase circuit, a higher ground-neutral
voltage indicates excessive current leakage between the neutral and ground conductors. In a 3phase circuit with a shared neutral, a high ground-neutral voltage could indicate an unbalanced
load between the three phases or harmonic distortion on the shared neutral. Excessive groundneutral voltage may result in inconsistent or intermittent equipment performance.
Troubleshooting Tips for Voltage Issues
Measurement Expected Problem Possible Possible
Result Causes Solutions
Too much load on Redistribute loads
the load on circuit. on the circuit.
High resistance Locate high resistance
connection within connection/device and
the circuit or at repair/replace.
the panel.
Supply voltage Consult power
too high/low. company.
Current leaking Identify source of leakage:
from neutral to multiple bonding points,
ground. equipment or devices.
Unbalanced 3- Check load balance
phase system. and redistribute load.
Triplen harmonics Oversize neutral to
returning on impedance. Reduce
neutral in 3-phase harmonic effect via
system. filter or other methods.
Supply voltage Consult power
too high/low. company.
High Peak Loads Evaluate number of
on line caused by electronic devices on
electronic equipment circuit and redistribute
on line. if necessary.
Supply frequency Consult power
too high/low. company.
Voltage Drop (VD) Measurements
The SureTest measures the line voltage, applies a load on the circuit, measures the loaded
voltage, then calculates the voltage drop. Results are displayed for 12A, 15A, and 20A
loads. The National Electrical Code recommends 5% as the maximum voltage drop for
branch circuits for reasonable efficiency (NEC article 210-19. FPN 4). And, the voltage
under load (VL) should not drop below 108VAC for reliable equipment operation.
A good branch circuit should start out with less than 5% voltage drop at the furthest receptacle from the panel at the end of the cable run. Then, each receptacle tested in sequence
towards the panel should show a steady decrease in voltage drop. If the voltage drop is
above 5% and does not noticeably decrease as you get closer to the first device on the circuit, then the problem is between the first device and the panel. Visually check the terminations at the first device, the wiring between the device and the panel, and the circuit breaker
connections. High resistance points can usually be identified as hot spots using an infrared
thermometer or by measuring the voltage across the breaker. If the voltage drop exceeds
5% but noticeably decreases as you nearer the panel, the circuit may have undersized wire,
too long of a cable run, or too much current on the circuit. Check the wire to ensure that it
is sized per code and measure the current on the branch circuit. If a voltage drop reading
changes significantly from one receptacle to the next, then the problem is a high impedance
point at or between two receptacles. It is usually located at a termination point, such as a
bad splice or loose wire connection, but it might also be a bad receptacle.
Troubleshooting Tips for Voltage Drop
Measurement Expected Problem Possible Possible
Result Causes Solutions
Too much Redistribute the
load on load on
the circuit. the circuit.
Undersized wire for Check code requirements
length of run. and re-wire if necessary.
High resistance Locate high
connection within resistance connection/
the circuit or at device and
the panel. repair/replace.
ASCC Measurement
The SureTest calculates the Available Short-Circuit Current (ASCC) that the branch circuit
can deliver through the breaker during a bolted fault (dead-short) condition.
The ASCC is calculated by dividing the line voltage by the circuit’s line impedance (hot +
neutral). Depressing the side arrow ( ) displays the worst-case scenario where all three
conductors (hot, neutral, ground) are shorted together -- the neutral and ground provide a
lower impedance via a parallel return path. Note that this second test will trip a GFCI. See
the following equations for clarification.
Line Voltage
120VAC
220VAC
Neutral-Ground
Voltage
Peak Voltage
120VAC
220VAC
Frequency
108-132VAC
198-242VAC
<2VAC
Voltage
153-185VAC
280-342VAC
60HZ
High/low
High G-N
>2VAC
High/low
peak voltage
High/low
frequency
Voltage Drop <5%
High Voltage
Drop
WARNING: Do not exceed the unit’s maximum voltage rating of 250VAC.
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