Amprobe Insp-3 Wiring Inspector Circuit Tester

This tool is effective until the "internal failure" you may have read about in other reviews. Unfortunately the cause of the failure is a blown fuse. This fuse is SMT. If you are handy you can install a different type and get your unit back up. You will need to order a 6.3 Ah axial fuse. See photo for location.

I have purchased three of these. The first one I lost. The 2nd and 3rd have had internal faults which have rendered them useless. It was a useful tool when it worked, but I am not satisfied with its durability.

I wish I had this years ago. Measures several values in seconds on hot, neutral, and ground wires that tell you a lot about the health of a single-phase 120vac branch circuit. Pretty slick. In a quick walk around of my medium-sized 2-story 1989-built home I found all kinds of issues (indicated by blinking measured values), where several plugs measured 10-26% drop at 15 amp load as well as a few shorted grounds (neutral to earth). The majority were 3-5% drop, which is within NEC recommended range. All of the GFCI circuits tripped at 6mA so I couldn't test the 30mA GFCI-test feature. Now I need to decide what to do with the 20%-drop circuits... that's pretty large, and potentially could cause trouble. I primarily purchased this to verify new 120vac wiring installed in an out-building that will be running lots of motors and where I don't want excessive voltage drop. Further, I'm using power strips and extension cords and this easily tests those as well. I'd like to think all county electrical inspectors use something like this before giving their Final Approval... wouldn't take long to do the whole house. Build quality looks good. Case is rubberized and has a good grip (similar feel to Fluke). Red color makes case easy to spot. Back-lit screen is easy to read and text is large enough I don't need my reading glasses. Battery case doesn't show polarity, but rather you need to look at size of connector slots and match up to battery posts. No issues putting tester and plug-wire into the zip-case if I put the tester *head-down*... fits perfectly. I found operation to be intuitive after reading some of the other reviews: * For regular circuits just plug it in and wait a few seconds for 15A results. Toggle between the two data screens with the yellow Power/Select button. * Initial test is for 15A load. You can press 10 or 20A load buttons after 15A results post and the screen will refresh. * For GFCI or AFCI circuits you need to press one of those buttons *before* plugging in, and follow screen instructions. It will show load results first and then test the other features. I did find that even after pressing the GFCI button the GFCI breaker/outlet would occasionally trip which was a nuisance; it might be I was moving from one outlet to another without resetting the unit (using power button.) It may be worthwhile going to the Amprobe website... they sometimes offer reward gifts based on dollars spent (just like Fluke). In my case my Amazon purchase of this product qualified for other free Amprobe goodies. There's also a product registration page there. UPDATE 9/16/15: I reduced the rating a point due to ongoing problems assessing some GFCI breakers where (as mentioned above) the breaker will trip even when the tester is in the right mode. In some cases I've had to reset the breaker up to 10 times before I got test results. If the outlets being tested are a long distance from the breakers and there are no helpers around to reset the breaker this can be a real time killer.

When it works it is a useful device. However, more often than not, it isn't compatible with the GFCI breakers installed in the home and the device immediately trips the GFCI. Then I'm left scrambling to test using other methods.

Love what the tester provides. Unfortunately it quit working within the first week of use and I got the error code "Internal Fault Contact Factory". So here's the deal. I've come to the conclusion this tool is invaluable in troubleshooting and diagnostics to the point that I have ordered a second one. One to have in the field and one for back up for when it fails. I can't have down time waiting on a tool to come back from warranty especially when nobody keeps them on the shelves for purchase or replacement. Called Amprobe for warranty info today and there was no one to answer the phone or option to leave a message due to a staff meeting. Not sure how I completely feel about the tools efficiency as I only got to use it for a week. Hopefully amprobe pulls through with an efficient warranty program.

This is a professional tool, but I was able to use it to figure out some stuff about the wiring in my old house. The key feature (which works on two-wire as well as three-wire outlets) is that when you first plug it into an outlet, it momentarily draws a 10, 15, or 20-amp load to measure what the voltage drop would be under a continuous load. The tester is very easy to use, just plug it in and it automatically turns on and starts testing. It continuously updates the numbers and tells you these things: - Current unloaded voltage - Polarity status (ok/not ok) - Voltage % drop under load (buttons to choose 10, 15, 20 AMPs) - Voltage % drop on hot and neutral - Voltage under the load - Ground impedance ALSO ON SECONDARY SCREEN - Common mode (voltage difference between the ground and neutral conductor) - AMPs in the event of a hot + neutral fault - AMPs in the event of a hot + ground fault

The first unit faulted after five uses. Jumped through Amprobe's return hoops and received the second unit, it faulted (internal fault) after about twelve uses. All occurrences within six months of ownership. I'm a contractor that depends tools and equipment, this instrument does not belong in my toolboxes. I will try to get my money back. Note: I bought the Extech CT80, so far it works great. Update: After only six months and two units, Amazon's vendor and manufacturer (Amprobe) will not refund money. Beware nobody will stand behind this product. This product is a money and time vampire. If I could give negative stars I would, -5 stars.

This is a professional tool, but I was able to use it to figure out some stuff about the wiring in my old house. The key feature (which works on two-wire as well as three-wire outlets) is that when you first plug it into an outlet, it momentarily draws a 10, 15, or 20-amp load to measure what the voltage drop would be under a continuous load. When I get the house rewired with GFCI outlets (and other grounded outlets), I will be able to test those aspects of the wiring as well. The manual is printed is the tiniest possible type. I went to the Amprobe website and printed it out. Two minor oddities. The included zipper case only has room for the cable and manual, not the instrument. The small screw on the battery door needs a plastic retainer washer to stop it from falling off the door.