VOLTCRAFT VC40 Mains outlet tester CAT Instructions

: June 4, 2024
: VOLTCRAFT

Table of Contents

Introduction
Explanation of symbols
Intended use
Package contents
Features
Safety information
Operation
Test results
Disposal
Technical data
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

VC40 Mains outlet tester CAT
Instruction Manual
Mains outlet tester VC40
Item No. 2399956

Introduction

Dear customer,
Thank you for purchasing this product.
In order to ensure safe use of this product, always follow the instructions in this manual.
This product complies with statutory national and European regulations.
These operating instructions are part of this product.
They contain important information on setting up and using the product. Never give the product to a third party without these instructions, and keep them in a safe place for reference.
If there are any technical questions, please contact: www.conrad.com/contact

Explanation of symbols

The symbol with the lightning in a triangle is used if there is a risk to your health, e.g. due to an electric shock.
This symbol is used to highlight important information in these operating instructions. It is highly important that you read this information carefully.
→This symbol indicates special information and advice on how to use the product.

Intended use

This mains outlet tester enables you to check that mains outlets, cable drums, and extension cables are connected correctly. It detects whether the mains outlet is connected in the correct polarity and displays wiring errors on a visual display.
You can also detect unwanted voltages between the ground and neutral wire and test for a fault current (RCD).
Any use other than that described above can damage the product and may involve additional risks such as short circuits, fire, or electric shocks. The product must not be modified or reassembled!
Read the operating instructions carefully and keep them in a safe place for future reference. Make this product available to third parties only together with its operating instructions.
Always observe the safety information in these instructions.

This product complies with statutory national and European regulations. All company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
All rights reserved.

Package contents

Mains outlet tester VC40
Operating instructions

Up-to-date operating instructions
Download the latest operating instructions via the link www.conrad.com/downloads or scan the QR code. Follow the instructions on the website.

http://www.conrad.com/downloads

Features

Polarity test
Voltage drop between the ground and other wires
Fault current test (RCD)

Safety information

Read the operating instructions and safety information carefully. We assume no liability for personal injury or damage to property caused by failure to observe these instructions and safety information. Such cases will invalidate the warranty/guarantee. Dear customer,
The following safety instructions are provided for your personal safety and to prevent damage to the product. Please read this section carefully before using the product for the first time!

This product is not a toy. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not leave packaging material lying around carelessly, as this may become dangerous playing material for children.
Protect the product from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, strong jolts, high humidity, moisture, flammable gases, vapors, and solvents.
Do not place the product under any mechanical stress.
If it is no longer possible to operate the product safely, stop using it and prevent unauthorized use.
The safe operation can no longer be guaranteed if the product:
– is visibly damaged,
– is no longer working properly, has been stored for extended periods in poor ambient conditions,
– has been subjected to any serious transport-related stress or
– has been subjected to an impact.
Start by testing the device on an earthed wall socket that is wired correctly.
Always observe the safety and operating instructions of any other devices that are connected to the product.
Do not use the mains outlet tester if the devices that you are going to test are faulty. Do not test devices for fault currents if you have previously detected a high fault current.
Never pour liquids on electrical devices or place any objects containing liquids (such as vases) on top of or near such devices. This may cause a fire or a fatal electric shock.
Consult a technician if you are not sure how to use or connect the product.
Maintenance, modifications and repairs must be done by a technician or an authorized repair center.
Never test loose wires or open leads. This device is only designed to test earthed main sockets.
Only use the device for five minutes at a time.
Remove the device from the earthed main socket after use. Do not leave the device plugged in for an extended period of time.
Never cover the ventilation slots on the device during use. You can only use the device in a vertical orientation.
Never check the test results with a multimeter. To ensure the test results are correct, an electrical load must be drawing power from the mains during the measurement.
A high-impedance measurement may be distorted by normal interference (mains inductance).

Operation

Insert the mains outlet tester into the earthed mains socket that you want to test. Ensure that the earth contacts on the socket are not worn or bent. All of the contacts on the measuring device must be in contact with the corresponding contacts on the main socket. If this is not the case, replace the socket.
Loose contacts can cause inaccurate measurements.
The mains outlet tester will emit an audible signal when it is connected to the mains supply. The three red/green LEDs indicate the test results. The most important test results are displayed on the front side of the device. A list of all results is provided in section 8.
If the first (neutral), last (phase), and middle (earth) LEDs turn red, this indicates that the phase and neutral wires are reversed. Unplug the device, rotate it by 180°, and then plug it back in. All LEDs should turn green.
Touch one of the pads to conduct another test.
Do not conduct any tests until all LEDs turn green and you can hear a continuous tone.

The voltage drop between the ground and other wires
If the wires are not connected correctly, there may be a voltage drop between the earth (yellow/yellow-green) and other wires. This is undesirable and indicates a problem with your electrical wiring. Voltage drops can cause leakage currents in old houses due to defective cable insulation and moisture. It can also cause faults in old appliances.
To carry out this test, touch the pad marked with “Earth Volts” for at least one second.
Ensure that the device is plugged in and that the wires are connected correctly (all LEDs should turn green), otherwise the test will not be completed. The mains outlet test will detect whether there is a voltage in excess of 50 V/AC between the neutral and earth wires. If so, all three LEDs will turn red and the buzzer will emit a pulsating signal.

If the test results indicate a voltage between the earth and neutral wires, contact an electrician to inspect your household electrics as soon as possible. There may be a neutral or phase wire that is not connected properly to a main socket or light. To locate the fault, turn off all the fuses in your house and take the measurements again. Turn the fuses on one at a time and check whether there is an excessive voltage.

Disconnect all devices/turn off all lights that are connected to the fuse if the test indicates a voltage drop between the earth and neutral wires.
This may indicate a broken cable.

Fault current test (RCD – residual current device)
Carry out a fault current test to check that the mains socket is earthed correctly. In the event of a fault, the fault current must be discharged via the earth wire until the fuse is triggered. The test delivers a 30 mA current through the earth wire and checks whether the residual current circuit breaker breaks the circuit within 0.3 s (300 ms – maximum safe trip time).

If the test fails, check that the residual current circuit breaker is working correctly and replace if necessary. Please note that residual current circuit breakers were not required in bathrooms and wet rooms until 1984 and in other rooms until 2009 (except in the UK). If the device is not triggered during the RCD test (all LEDs stay green and the buzzer tone momentarily goes deeper), there is no residual current circuit breaker installed. Ensure that you install a circuit breaker as soon as possible.
In old buildings, the earthing on the mains socket may be connected to the neutral wire.
To carry out this test, touch the pad marked with “RCD 30 mA” for at least one second. Ensure that the device is plugged in and that the wires are connected correctly (all LEDs should turn green), otherwise the test will not be conducted.
If the test is completed successfully within 300 ms, the device will be disconnected and switched off (the LEDs will turn off).

Remove the tester and turn the residual current circuit breaker back on. If the device does not switch off within 300 ms, the first two LEDs will turn red and the third LED will stay green. The buzzer will emit a pulsating tone. After 4.5 seconds, the test will be interrupted and the tester will measure the voltage between the neutral and earth wires (see above). After another 4.5 seconds the test will end automatically and the test results will no longer be displayed.
If all LEDs turn red, remove the device immediately and check that the wires are connected correctly Only use the device for five minutes at a time. Remove the device from the earthed main socket after use.
Do not leave the device plugged in for an extended period of time.
Never cover the ventilation slots on the device during use. Only use the device in a vertical orientation (e.g. in a wall outlet).

Test results

N = neutral wire / E = earth / L = phase / X = Not connected

Wire Combination	Status	LED status	Acoustic signal
LED1	LED2	LED3
N E L	All wires are connected correctly	green	green
E N L	E/ N reversed	green	green
X E L	Missing neutral wire/neutral wire in the wrong position	red	green
green	Pulsating signal I

RCD test
Only run the RCD test when all LEDs are green and the acoustic signal is constant.

Status| LED status| Acoustic
signal
---|---|---
LED1| LED2| LED3
Wires are connected properly. The RCD was not triggered.| green| green| green| Steady signal
The RCD was triggered and the test results are acceptable.| green| green| green| No signal
The circuit was not broken.| red| red| green| Pulsating signal/beeps
In addition, the voltage drop between the ground and neutral wires is >50 V/AC.| red| red| red

Disposal

Electronic devices are recyclable waste and must not be disposed of with household waste.
Always dispose of the product according to the relevant statutory regulations.

Technical data

Measurement voltage ……. 230 V/AC 50Hz
Current consumption …….. 11 mA
RCD test
Rated current ……………….. 30 mA ±5% (at 230 V/AC, 50 Hz)
Test duration ………………… max. 300 ms
Neutral wire – ground …….. 50 V ±10% rms
Earthing test
Threshold …………………….. 50 V ±10% rms (for resistances <100 kΩ)
Reaction time ……………….. 100 ms
Operating conditions
Temperature ………………… +5 to +40 °C (+41 to +104 °F)
Humidity ………………………. < 80% relative, non-condensing
Storage conditions
Temperature ………………… -20 to +60 °C (-4 to +140 °F)
Humidity ………………………. <80% relative, non-condensing
Dimensions (W x H x D) … 69 x 67 x 32 mm
Weight ………………………… 80 g

This is a publication by Conrad Electronic SE, Klaus-Conrad- Str. 1, D-92240 Hirschau (www.conrad.com).
All rights including translation reserved. Reproduction by any method, e.g. photocopy, microfilming, or the capture in electronic data processing systems requires prior written approval by the editor.

Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited. This publication represents the technical status at the time of printing.
Copyright 2021 by Conrad Electronic SE.