PCE Instruments PCE-ECT 50 User Manual

© PCE Instruments

PCE-ECT 50 Earth Tester

User Manual

User manuals in various languages (français,

italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,

русский, 中文) can be found by using our

product search on: www.pce-instruments.com

Last change: 27 February 2018

v1.0

English

© PCE Instruments

Contents

1 Safety notes ........................................................................................... 1

2 Controls and jacks ................................................................................ 2

3 Technical specifications ...................................................................... 3

4 Operations ............................................................................................. 3

5 Testing the earth pin ............................................................................. 4

6 Testing sockets ..................................................................................... 5

7 Continuity test ....................................................................................... 5

8 Warranty ................................................................................................. 6

9 Disposal ................................................................................................. 6

© PCE Instruments

1

1 Safety notes

Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time.
The device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments
personnel. Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our
liability and not covered by our warranty.

• The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used
otherwise, this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.

• The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature,

relative humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do

not expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or
moisture.

• Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.

• The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.

• Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.

• You must not make any technical changes to the device.

• The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral

cleaner, no abrasives or solvents.

• The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.

• Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not

use the device.

• Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.

• The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under

any circumstances.

• Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.

• The tester is not a tester for the Absence of Voltage (TAV). Use a suitable instrument
for this purpose.

• Do not immerse the unit or work in the rain.

• Inspect the unit before use. Do not use if damaged.

• If the “400V!” pictogram is displayed, check the installation.

• ASS operations must be carried out by the manufacturer.

• The addition of measurement current (<15 mA) from the tester with fault current from

computer or electronic equipment already plug can lead to the drop-out of the 30 mA
circuit breakers.

We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of

business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at

the end of this manual.

© PCE Instruments

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2 Controls and jacks

1. IP2X safety plug for safety probe

2. LCD display (blue/red)

3. Plugs for 2P+T sockets 10/16A

4. Winder, length 7 m

5. IP2X plug

6. Safety probe IP2X

7. Non-slip coating

© PCE Instruments

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3 Technical specifications

Measuring principle

Continuity testing / earth resistance measurement

Measurement range

0 ... 2000 Ω

Display

Two-colour backlit LCD

Accuracy

±(3 % + 3 digits) at 0 ... 200 Ω, at 23 °C ±5 °C

Operating voltage

230 V (Ph/N) -10 / +6 %

Operating frequency

50 / 60 Hz

Standards

IEC 611010-1 EN 61557-4, class II, IP40, IK06

Installation category

III

Operating temperature

-15 ... +45 °C

Storage temperature

-25 ... +70 °C

Dimensions

72 x 210 x 50 mm (W x L x H)

Length of test lead

approx. 7 m

Weight

340 g

4 Operations

The earth tester enables you to perform the following operations:

- check the resistance of the earth socket

- locate the position of the live pin (right or left), check the earth connection.

- check for 230V (or an abnormal voltage)

- check continuity (earth conductor, main and local equipotential connections)
These test points are required by standard NF C 15-100 and assist in delivering a compliant

installation.
To facilitate testing , the tester can be used directly on 2P+E 10/16 A sockets.
In addition, the two-colour backlighting will alert you instantaneously to the condition of your
installation.
Blue: OK, Red: fault (earth>100Ω, incorrect voltage, etc.)

© PCE Instruments

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5 Testing the earth pin

Testing the local earth employs the “ fault loop” principle. It applies to TT (EE) type installations.
After connecting the unit to a 2P+E socket the earth resistance value is displayed.

Standard NF C15-100 requires a value of earth resistance of less than 100Ω.
If this value is obtained, the backlighting is in blue, if the value is above 100Ω, the screen turns
red:

Fig.1; value OK, Fig.2: value not OK
Your instrument measures values up to 1999Ω. Above that, the display indicates OL (overload =
value exceeded).

Fig.3: Earth resistance greater than 1999Ω.

© PCE Instruments

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6 Testing sockets

- Location of the position of the live pin (right or left)

- Earth connection

- Voltage present
A pictogram represents the base of the socket and indicates the position of the live Pin (right or

left).
The same pictogram displays the presence of an earth (displayed for any earth < 2000Ω. In

addition, a reminder of the voltage is indicated (230V).
If the (400V!) pictogram appears,△!

check the installation. 400V

Fig.4: Earth connected, Live on right, 230V.
Fig.5: Earth not connected Live on left, Incorrect voltage.

7 Continuity test

The continuity of the earth protection conductors and the equipotential connections (main and
local) must be tested. In accordance with NF C 15-100, the tester enables you to check that the
resistance is less than 2Ω. Firstly, connect the cable on the reel to the body of the unit, then
connect your unit to a 2P+E socket. Then, with the retractable test probe, make contact with the
parts to be checked. Continuity of the connections is indicated by a continuous audible signal.
Notes:

1. When the unit is in the CONTINUITY mode, the back lighting is switched off (to
ensure the measurement current of 200mA specified by NFC 15-100).

2. If there is an abnormal voltage on the earth protection conductors ,the unit enters the
Err mode and sounds intermittently.

© PCE Instruments

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8 Warranty

You can read our warranty terms in our General Business Terms which you can find here:

https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/terms.

9 Disposal

For the disposal of batteries in the EU, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament
applies. Due to the contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste.
They must be given to collection points designed for that purpose.

In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use
them or give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.

For countries outside the EU, batteries and devices should be disposed of in accordance with
your local waste regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

© PCE Instruments

7

PCE Instruments contact information

Germany France Spain

PCE Deutschland GmbH PCE Instruments France EURL PCE Ibérica S.L.
Im Langel 4 23, rue de Strasbourg Calle Mayor, 53
D-59872 Meschede 67250 SOULTZ-SOUS-FORETS 02500 Tobarra (Albacete)
Deutschland France España
Tel.: [phone] Téléphone: [phone] Tel. : [phone]
Fax: [phone] Numéro de fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch www.pce-instruments.com/french www.pce-instruments.com/espanol

United States of America United Kingdom Italy

PCE Americas Inc. PCE Instruments UK Ltd PCE Italia s.r.l.
711 Commerce Way suite 8 Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park Via Pesciatina 878 / B-Interno 6
Jupiter / Palm Beach Ensign Way, Southampton 55010 LOC. GRAGNANO
33458 FL Hampshire CAPANNORI (LUCCA)
USA United Kingdom, SO31 4RF Italia
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone] Telefono: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/us www.pce-instruments.com/english www.pce-instruments.com/italiano

The Netherlands Chile Hong Kong

PCE Brookhuis B.V. PCE Instruments Chile S.A. PCE Instruments HK Ltd.
Institutenweg 15 RUT: 76.154.057-2 Unit J, 21/F., COS Centre
7521 PH Enschede Santos Dumont 738, local 4 56 Tsun Yip Street
Nederland Comuna de Recoleta, Santiago, Chile Kwun Tong
Telefoon: [phone] Tel. : [phone] Kowloon, Hong Kong
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/dutch www.pce-instruments.com/chile www.pce-instruments.cn

China

Turkey

PCE (Beijing) Technology Co.,Ltd PCE Teknik Cihazları Ltd.Şti.
1519 Room, 6 Building Halkalı Merkez Mah.
Men Tou Gou Xin Cheng, Pehlivan Sok. No.6/C
Men Tou Gou District 34303 Küçükçekmece - İstanbul
102300 Beijing Türkiye
China Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone] Faks: 0212 705 53 93
[e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.cn www.pce-instruments.com/turkish