Trisan S8 Review
Pros –Battery and mains powered. Highly durable and comes with a genuine Pelican briefcase. No Isolation Transformer or adaptors required. Extremely fast testing times. Australian Made.
Cons – No printing system or memory storage with the base model. Test sequences aren’t customisable - unable to change pass/fail limits.
The Bottom Line – The Trisan S8 is a rugged, get-the-job-done appliance tester made for people who don’t need data logging or printers. It’s lightning fast with lead testing, runs on battery or mains, and comes in a proper Pelican case that can cop a beating. If you're tagging tools on-site and want something that just works without all the bells and whistles - this one's a top pick under $1000.
Key Features of the Trisan S8
- Battery + Mains Power - runs on 6x AA batteries for portability, or simply plug it in
- No Isolation Transformer Needed - in-built for full RCD testing
- Pelican Case Build - genuine hard case that protects gear from drops, dust, or jobsite punishment
- Fast Test Speed - especially quick with extension leads
- Made in South Australia - built for Aussie conditions
- Dedicated Cloverleaf & Fig 8 Sockets - no adaptors needed
How It Performs in the Field
The Trisan S8 is built for tough sites and daily work. It powers on quick, runs the test fast, and gives a straight PASS/FAIL, so there's no interpreting results or fiddling with settings. It’s perfect for tradies or sparkies tagging gear on the go.
One of the best things about the S8 is how straightforward it is to use. On the left side, you’ve got a built-in QWERTY keyboard (on the DL model) — but on the regular S8, everything’s centred around big labelled buttons for each test:
- CL I – for Class I items
- CL II – for Class II items
- EXT – for extension leads
- RCD – for RCD testing
- INS/LEAK – each socket is labelled, with a light to show you where to plug in
No scrolling through menus, no memorising codes — just press the right button and go. The tester displays a big PASS or FAIL reading, with no room for confusion.
Cloverleaf and Figure-8 leads can be tested straight from the top panel. While the keyboard and memory features are missing (only found on the higher model S8 DL), for many users that’s no issue.
Battery life is decent too - easily gets through a job without needing a recharge. And if batteries die, just plug it into mains and keep testing.
Only gripe? The Pelican case doesn’t have enough space for all the test leads and accessories, so you’ll probably need a second bag for the extras.
What It’s Best For
- Tradies testing their own gear
- Electricians or handymen tagging small volumes
- Extension lead testing on-site
- People who want fast, rugged gear
Drawbacks
- No memory or test history
- No way to print tags or sync to software
- Limited customisation on test sequences
- Doesn’t log asset data - you’ll need to handwrite or use pre-printed tags
Is it Worth the Investment?
In 2025, the Trisan S8 still stands strong as a no-BS tester under $1000. It’s perfect for first-time testers who just want to get in, run the tests, and get out - without worrying about fancy software or setup.
But if you’re needing to log tests, print tags, or generate reports, you’ll want to look at the Trisan S8 DL or something like the Metrel DeltaPAT 3309 BT. For everyone else, the S8 delivers reliability, simplicity, and speed — with a case that’ll take whatever you throw at it.
But if you’re needing to log tests, print tags, or generate reports, you’ll want to look at the Trisan S8 DL or something like the Metrel DeltaPAT 3309 BT. For everyone else, the S8 delivers reliability, simplicity, and speed - with a Pelican case that’ll take whatever you throw at it. The Australian made Trisan S8 is one the best value testers under the $1000 bracket.
See the full pricing and specs of the Trisan S8
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