Fire And Rescue AC30

Price range: $382.00 through $480.00

AUD

Designed for emergency rescue personnel, linesmen, tree surgeons, electricians and other trained professionals, the AC30 is a high-voltage proximity detector used to quickly determine live or de-energised conditions in overhead and underground electrical systems. Built for critical safety applications, it provides a fast and reliable method of identifying the presence of AC voltage in high-risk environments.

Buy Now from US Supplier

Why choose the AC30?

Since 1975, G.L McGavin has been the trusted name in high and low voltage testing equipment.

Designed for both industrial and residential environments, with common usage among electricians, technicians, fire and rescue professionals. The AC30 delivers fast, reliable detection when it matters most. 

Fully trusted and Australian made. The AC30 is your companion that keeps you safe when working around electricity. It gives you a single tools that adapts to your job.

Electricians can instantly locate live wires behind walls, identify energised cables and trace live cable runs with confidence. All with no guess-work and no exposed testing.

Fire & Rescue personnel can immediately detect hidden voltages that put both officers and bystanders at risk. The AC30 is a critical safety check that helps crews work faster and safer when every second counts.

The piece of mind device that you need.

Safety starts before you even begin testing. The moment you switch the AC30 ON, it automatically runs a full self-test. This confirms every critical component is working correctly, before you rely on it in the field. 

For maximum safety, we recommend running the self-test at regular intervals throughout the working day, to ensure that your tester never lets you down.

The self-test button on the front facing display lets you run a complete function check on demand, verifying:

  • Audio Indicator – your alert is loud and clear.
  • Visual Indicator – your warning light is fully operational.
  • Transistor Circuit – core detection electronics are performing to spec

Product Brochure

CLICK TO VIEW

Product Manual

CLICK TO VIEW

AC30 Specifications

Voltage sensing range 50V to 750,000V AC
Light source High intensity LED
Sound Source Piezo 4000KHz 100 dB @ 10cm (3.937’)
Operating temperature -20 to 65˚C (14 to 149°F)
IP rating IP 66 (Testing not Completed)
Weight (no Batteries) 146g (4.93 oz)
Dimensions L 145 mm (5.51’) x W 78 mm (2.87’) x H 23 mm (0.9’)
Battery 4x AAA Alkaline / Lithium
Battery life (AAA Alkaline) ON (no alarm) 30+ Hours
ON (alarm on) 8+ Hours
OFF 3 Months
Battery life (AAA Lithium) ON (no alarm) 40+ Hours
ON (alarm on) 10+ Hours
OFF 3 Months
Shock Proof Rubber mount around case
Self test Independent Built in
Belt clip (option) Attached to rear of case (Customer Request)
Range detection LED Indication Weak Signal to Strong signal.
Voltage range Two Settings Less sensitive and More sensitive.
Large buttons 15mmØ for Glove operations
Secure battery housing (fours crews) Tool Access
Custom colours On Customer Request
Custom decals On Customer Request

These values are estimates within 90% for prototype specs.

FR30-Case-Yellow-Logo

Fire & Rescue Vehicle Accidents

In the event a vehicle is the cause of damage to a power pole or any emergency situations, the result may bring down the attached lines. These lines are active and the surrounding area can be energised. A HAZARD AREA must be established until electrical authorities disconnect power.

  1. When arriving at the incident, turn on the GLM MINI to the high sensitivity setting.
  2. Press and hold the self test button and an audible repeating tone will be heard indicating a healthy unit.
  3. Place thumb and hand as indicated on unit with arm outstretched as the position of your hand and body determines the sensitivity of the unit. In this position maximum sensitivity is achieved.
  4. Wave the unit from side to side in the direction of the incidence.
  5. If the RED indicator and alarm sounds a voltage is detected.
    Note: As unit may detect power lines above in order to determine the location of the voltage source place the unit on the low setting and move to detect if power line is on the ground or above. By placing your hand in the middle of the unit not covering the front test area label, sensitivity is decreased providing an accurate location of voltage source.
  6. When voltage is detected from fallen power lines, contact supply authority immediately and erect a hazard area around scene to protect service officers and the general public.
  7. On notification from supply authority that power has been isolated retest the area again placing the unit on high with thumb on bottom of unit and follow the previous steps.

WARNING!!

If power lines are broken the two halves of the line are still energised and a safe distance must still be maintained from both sections or electrocution could occur.

Always assume the conductor is alive until proven de-energised.

Do not touch wire or car as you could experience ground potential (shock).

Commercial & Residential Properties

On the arrival at a structure fire, identification of power lines and connection to property must be located and identified; procedures for active live power isolation and disconnection should be followed.

  1. When arriving at the incident, turn on the GLM MINI to the high sensitivity setting.
  2. Press and hold the self test button and an audible repeating tone will be heard indicating a healthy unit.
  3. Place thumb and hand as indicated on unit with arm outstretched as the position of your hand and body determines the sensitivity of the unit. In this position maximum sensitivity is achieved.
  4. Identify the main power supply line on the street and access point to the property checking for damage to these lines and clearance levels.
  5. With arm outstretched hold the detector over your head and trace power from street supply to property connection.
  6. If the RED LED indicates and alarm sounds a voltage is detected.
  7. Isolation protocol should now be followed. Contact the local supply authority for disconnection of power supply.
  8. On notification from supply authority that the power has been isolated retest the area again placing the unit on high with thumb on bottom of unit and follow the above steps

When circumstances require access to the property before power has been disconnected use the GLM MINI to determine live power areas. Examples of the areas are:

Placing a metal ladder against the metal gutter

  • Use procedures above for the activation of the GLM MINI.
  • As we know the power to the property is active, place the unit on high and test against conductive components.
  • If voltage detected switch to low setting on the unit and aim at conductive components moving closer. When within 100mm and no AC voltage is detected, the ladder and gutter are not active.
  • The ladder may be insulated from the ground by rubber feet and may not show active. By placing a hand on the ladder a circuit is made to ground through you resulting in electrocution.
  • It is highly recommended to not attach metal items to exterior of property until supply to property has been disconnected.

Upon entering a property

  • Use above procedures for the activation of the GLM MINI.
  • Enter the property holding the GLM MINI with thumb on indicated area and arm outstretched and the unit set on the high setting, if property disconnected no signal should be detected.
  • If voltage detected and the property disconnected by supply authority place the unit on the low setting and move around room to determine where voltage is located.
  • Have trained personnel isolate or disconnect source.

 

NOTE: Because the property is still live the high setting on the GLM MINI may be detecting other voltage sources such as wires in the roof or walls or the adjacent property. To overcome this use the low setting on the detector and more accurate location of AC voltage sources can be determined. By placing your hand in the middle of the unit not covering the front test area label, sensitivity is decreased providing an accurate location of voltage.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Important Safety Concern

The voltage to a property may be officially disconnected by supply authority. This may not always be the case as faults in the electrical network may cause residual voltages to be carried in water pipes and neutral link connections. Suspect locations such as those involving drugs may be acquiring power from neighbouring locations or generator units these supplies may not be disconnected. These voltages may be low but the current high. Use the GLM MINI to verify voltage at all instances.

Switch Yards & Transformers

  1. In the incidences above contact the supply authority immediately for disconnection and isolation procedures.
  2. When arriving at the incidence, turn on the GLM MINI to the high sensitivity setting.
  3. Press and hold the self test button and an audible repeating tone will be heard indicating a healthy unit.
  4. Place thumb and hand as indicated on unit with arm outstretched as the position of your hand and body determines the sensitivity of the unit. In this position maximum sensitivity is achieved.
  5. Test the area surrounding the switch yard or transformer to detect fallen lines and leaking oil.Note: oil is a conductor stay clear.
  6. If the RED indicator and alarm sounds a voltage is detected.
  7. Isolation protocol should now be followed.
  8. On notification from supply authority power has been isolated retest the area again placing the unit on high with thumb on bottom of unit and follow the above steps.

Identification of underground (URD) test points

Structures such as these contain voltage sources and can be detected by the GLM MINI using the above procedures.

URD-test-points-horiz
Examples of URD test point housings.

Storm Damage

In all natural disasters electricity is a major concern, as fallen power lines and water make a dangerous mix. The GLM MINI can be used in all of these situations.

The GLM MINI will not detect submerged power cables as water decreases the electromagnetic field generated.

  1. When arriving at the incident, turn on the GLM MINI to the high sensitivity setting.
  2. Press and hold the self test button and an audible repeating tone will be heard indicating a healthy unit.
  3. Place thumb and hand as indicated on unit with arm outstretched as the position of your hand and body determines the sensitivity of the unit. In this position maximum sensitivity is achieved.
  4. Locate the area to be worked in and conduct a hazard assessment of the area. Wave the unit from side to side to identify the direction of voltage source. This is the area to isolate and contact the supply authority for disconnection. Have trained personnel isolate or disconnect source.
  5. To detect a voltage source at close range, two to three metres at voltages only over 7,000 volts. Place your hand around the middle of the tester not covering the end marked TEST AREA and approach known voltage source with extreme care to determine live components.
  6. On notification from supply authority power has been isolated retest the area again placing the unit on high with thumb on bottom of unit and follow the above steps.

In all emergency situations, always assume line is energised on initial test. Never assume de-energised lines will remain in that state.