KP-Test 5 dual: A voltage tester for several voltage levels.

One grid, many voltage levels, several voltage testers. no need however for the last of those: With the new KP-Test 5 dual, power providers and maintenance companies can reliably cover several voltage levels across a range of 1 to 36 kV with just one voltage tester. The capacitive KP-Test 5 dual voltage tester is identical in design and build to the KP-Test 5, but features an additional selection function between two rated voltage ranges. This can be adapted to suit the grid properties of individual countries and their areas of influence: For Germany, the most suitable test ranges are 5 to 12 kV and 20 to 36 kV, while for the area under British influence, typical test ranges are 3 to 6 kV and 11 to 36 kV. The decision in favour of two separate test ranges was taken by the safety technology development team at PFISTERER in reference to standard IEC 61243-1. Based on this, capacitive voltage testers must signal zero voltage at any voltage measured of less than 10 % of rated voltage. In contrast to this, once above 45 % of rated voltage, they must signal operating voltage or even overvoltage. For every voltage range, this results in there being an undefined range, although this range is virtually never encountered in practical situations. On the safe side. Simply at the touch of the button. However, this calculation ceases to apply if applied simultaneously to too many voltage levels at one time: What is viewed as residual voltage at low levels of grid voltage is deemed to be zero voltage at high grid voltages. The consequence of this, to eliminate any element of risk: An excessively sensitive voltage tester, i.e. an impractical tool. Or - as occurred with the KP-Test 5 dual - the voltage range being sub-divided into two test areas compatible with safety technology. The handling of the KP-Test 5 dual has also been thought out thoroughly: When the voltage tester is switched on, the first test range for low voltage levels is enabled, while switching into the test range for higher voltage levels involves pressing and holding down the pushbutton, i.e. simple enough but requiring careful attention - thereby eliminating any possibility of switching accidentally into the wrong test range.