On first look at the Emona Instruments MI-3125 InstalTest COMBO, I was a little confused as to exactly what the test tool did.

So I resorted to reading the instructions, which explained (very clearly) what it was capable of doing.

Primarily this device is used to test electrical sockets onsite in a matter of seconds, as opposed to a lengthy procedure using trailing leads (the MI-3125 needs none). I was also able to do an earth continuity and polarity check within one minute of starting up the device. The pass or fail is very easy to read, with a green tick indicating pass and a red cross indicating a failure. Simple.

After spending some time with the MI-3125, it became evident that it could simply replace four or more other test devices with one unit. It could easily replace an RCD tester, multimeter, insulation tester and a loop impedance tester.

The MI-3125 is a very nicely sized device that can be held easily in one hand and seems to be made very well – it looks as though it could survive a few drops if they were to occur on a worksite. The device comes with all test accessories (crocodile clips, a resistor box, a 3-pin test plug and test leads), but I would suggest that it needs its own carry case to neatly store everything together.

It is nice to know that this device can handle a number of different tests and once onsite it would be put to good use – there would be no excuse not to conduct electrical tests properly with an Emona MI-3125. It makes testing very quick and easy and, as a result, would save a lot of time in fault finding if the correct tests were done at the appropriate times.

I found that it does, however, take some time to educate staff that this device can handle a multiple of tests as most people are used to using their favourite testing tools for their own special test.

Overall, I can see how this unit would be very useful for electrical testing and once in the system and on the road it would be used more and more. The outer casing feels rugged and obviously a lot of thought has gone into the design of this device. Subject to the RRP of the unit being reasonable, it would be a worthwhile inclusion into the stable of test equipment for all onsite installations.