For those questioning why I tested resistance between Live and Neutral, a full test on a new installation should be done between L-N, L-E and N-E to detect if cables have been damaged during works. The only time N+L are bonded together and tested to earth is if there is an un-isolatable load. This is why I thought it a bit odd that it would mention protection against an insulation test and give a typical resistance. There's no ground reference on the USB module, so you would expect any test to ground to be off the scale. I wondered if the standby current was so low and component ratings so high that it would give a pass if only a few were on a circuit.
The test is definitely not a mains to USB output one as there is not any standard installation test that would even do that.
Maybe I'm out of date and they simply don't bother doing a L-N insulation test in this era of "Part P" 1-day/week electrical training and crash-certification for cash (The worst thing to happen in the entire history of the British electrical industry, and entirely motivated by profit.) But to me the L-N insulation test is important, since the others will trip an RCD/GFI at 30mA whereas a L-N circuit fault will require literally thousands of times higher current to activate protection.
This video was unexpectedly inspired by an email from Ruben mentioning a Thomas Nagy video where he was talking about doing electrical installation tests involving socket outlets (receptacles) with USB sockets. I had one of the same sockets awaiting our amusement so I dug it out and zapped it for our entertainment.
Here's a link to the Thomas Nagy video. He's a self employed electrician in London who makes good video content showing the daily working life of a London electrician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kLOCqlaAZY
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
The test is definitely not a mains to USB output one as there is not any standard installation test that would even do that.
Maybe I'm out of date and they simply don't bother doing a L-N insulation test in this era of "Part P" 1-day/week electrical training and crash-certification for cash (The worst thing to happen in the entire history of the British electrical industry, and entirely motivated by profit.) But to me the L-N insulation test is important, since the others will trip an RCD/GFI at 30mA whereas a L-N circuit fault will require literally thousands of times higher current to activate protection.
This video was unexpectedly inspired by an email from Ruben mentioning a Thomas Nagy video where he was talking about doing electrical installation tests involving socket outlets (receptacles) with USB sockets. I had one of the same sockets awaiting our amusement so I dug it out and zapped it for our entertainment.
Here's a link to the Thomas Nagy video. He's a self employed electrician in London who makes good video content showing the daily working life of a London electrician.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kLOCqlaAZY
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
I enjoy all your vids. Would you mind consider making a vid on how to test a stove , thermostat , element etc. Basics
I was a kid. I once stuck a fork in an outlet. I learned.
Sometimes a piece of equipment containing IT equipment on a pat test an insulation test has to be emitted. Sorry Clive omitted.
…and now a question:
In order to pass my City & Guilds I was taught Live =Line Phase, Neutral = Line-Neutral and Earth = CPC (Circuit Protective Conductor). a Wiki page suggests the terms "Live", "formally" known as Line Phase and "Earth", "formally" known as CPC.
Am I out of date with my terminology?
OR
a) is the author of the Wiki page wrong? (surely not, when has that ever been the case?)
OR
b) Is the word "formally" indicating the correct formal term rather that the more common IN-formal terms?
Very interesting. Another video (from another leading manufacturer/on-line training provider) suggests that you definitely should NOT test between Live and Neutral at 500V as it is likely to cause damage to the USB circuit. You can test between Live and Earth at 500v but as you correctly state, Live-Neutral is required during installation testing ( >2MOhm @ 500v). For the manufacturer of your USB socket to claim 10MOhm is bizarre (and misleading) .
The same video suggests that PERIODIC testers should ALWAYS first test at 250v after their walk-around check that all loads have been removed from circuit. A 250V L-N test will not damage the USB circuit but will alert the tester to the presence of a load still in circuit (since the L-N test will show a reduced resistance for the USB circuit, but not a short circuit).
At installation (in the UK at least) it is mandatory to test L-N at 500V and record the result on the Electrical Installation Certificate [EIC] usually ">2MOhm" . The solution suggested (on the videos I have seen) is that AFTER continuity testing (otherwise the insulation test is invalid) you should return to each of these USB sockets and either remove (and insulate) the Neutral wire(s)* or the Live wires(s)* before test L-N at 500v. Note: you must screw all the sockets back into installed position to run the test!
[*= multiple wires in each socket if this is in the middle if a radial or ring circuit].
I wonder if BG is entirely manufactured in UK.
You know Chinese products are "cheap" so if you want "good" products don't buy anything cheap.
The cheap chinese adaptor you are using is totally dodgy. There are at least three build types of this adaptor, all looking externally the same. The early ones have the metal contacts screwed to the brass pins. The later ones have just the live and neutral contacts screwed to the pins, with the floating earth pin contact only making contact when the plug is pushed into the socket, but which disconnects even if the plug is withdrawn only 1/2mm. The third type has all connectors floating and only making contact when the plug is pushed in.
I thought you were going to test the insulation between the ac input and the USB metal socket surround.
I doubt there is enough clearance on that surface mount bridge rectifier.
But surely the live neutral insulation test is not valid because the USB charger circuit is across it?
I must admit, if I owned an insulation tester I'd be tempted to test the resistance of human skin. Perhaps it's a good thing I'm not an electrician.
we have these exact usb sockets in are home
I haven’t got a clue what your talking about but I found myself unable to turn off the video
Please tell us where to get that Cute pocket calculator
I once plugged a fork in a 120 volt outlet. Only once!!!⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️