Hi All,
I’ve seen several different typres of electrical testers but the quality seems to vary quite a bit. I’m looking for one that can test wires that have no switch or outlet connected. Greenlee, Fluke, Klein all seem to make good one sbut the price is al over the map from $15 to $75 and I can’t decide if there is enough difference to warrant the extra bucks.
While on the subject have any of you used some sort of tester that one man could use to check circuits. Some how be able to check if a circuit is on or complete at the panel box. I’ve seen some that you plug in a device in a socket but this wont work if there’s no socket on that run or just bare wires.
Ah the joys of doing one man remodels…sigh…
thanks,
N
Replies
Sounds like what you're looking at are DVOM's (digital volt-ohm meters.) They are good for general all around electrical testing - in the voltage mode you can look at powered circuits, and in the ohm meter mode you can look at unpowered circuits for continuity. Most of them also have an ammeter mode for measuring currents, generally 10 amps or less. Fancier ones will measure capacitance, frequency and other things. They'll all have two leads, hopefully with alligator clips at the end of each so you won't need more than two hands to do your testing.
For occasional use, and if all you're doing is simple stuff like looking for 120 volts or 0 volts, the cheap ones will work fine. The more money you spend buys additional features and better accuracy, which may or may not be things you need or care about. Fluke meters are at the top of the pile, Greenlee and Klein are good as well, and you can pick up off brand meters for $15 or less at the home center, auto parts stores or Radio Shack.
Whatever you buy should come with a little instruction manual that will explain the basic functions.
They all work equally well out of the box.
BUT...
After 6 months of use... only the ones in the $75+ bracket will be working.
From a pro who takes his to bed at night... well... not quite... but I do carry my UEI with me on vacations. You just never know...
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And I thought that I was they only that took the whole enchilada with me every where I went. Feel better now.
The first tester I grab for most troubleshooting is a solenoid voltage checker. Get the industry standard, a SquareD "wiggy" as it is superior to most other solenoid voltage testers. About $18 at any good hardware. Simple effective, adaptable and reliable. With practice you can tell the circuit voltage by feel.
It has limitations. You won't want to use it on delicate electronics as it lets through more current than they can handle. It won't read anything less than about 60v and won't give you an exact figure on the voltage. You can tell 120v from 208v from 240v from 277v from 480 but these are nominal ranges. Plus or minus about 15 volts read the same.
Most of these limitations are not big problems. Continuity can be difficult to test, like checking a fuse, with one if the circuit is off but find me some voltage and it can do this also.
I want to know if a circuit is live. Which is the hot lead and the relative voltage range. A difference of a few volts is of no consequence in most situations.
Wiggys are ready for action without having to reset lead connections or adjust voltage ranges. While it does have a visual cue for voltage most electricians go largely by feel. You can tell the nominal voltage, if any, and whether or not it is AC or DC by feel alone. A boon in tight or dark spots. Wiggys don't use batteries. Batteries always go dead at the worse possible times.
The Wiggy is tough. It is the tool of choice when I have to climb into an attic, crawl through mud under a house or work in a driving rain. But if, after a long hard life, the leads or probes do become damaged they can be replaced in about two minutes with a lead set available at many electrical supply houses for about $7.
A Wiggy is the industry standard for very good reasons. It is not as high tech as other meters but it makes up for it by being reliable, handy and much less delicate. If I had to carry only one test instrument on to a desert island I would choose a Wiggy. Many electricians, some of which I consider tops in the field, keep one in their tool pouch or hip pocket.
Yep. Wiggys rock!
But as a professional heating technician 95% of my testing is done on low voltage, amps, or micro-amps. And continuity. All of which the Wiggy cannot do. But a Wiggy lasts forever. Or so it seems.
Ever rip off a plumber? Here is your chance. Buy these $80+ Tub & Shower faucets for a measley 20 bucks plus shipping. Click HERE to rip him off!
4Lorn1,
Enough of the specs, tell us how you feel about that wiggy {G}_______________________
10 .... I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
11 For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have--Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
My Wiggys and I have a thing. I have had them longer, and they have been more reliable, than any girlfriend. You can use a lady to check voltages. Use their fingers for probes and listen to the yips. The louder the noise the high the voltage. Unfortunately I can't find any that last for more than one job. There was that maso girl who hung for a whole week but she left when she found out she could get more abuse by being a building inspector.
95% of testing can be done with a PRC $4.95 VOM from harbor freight, the other 5% use a Fluke 123 (over $700).
Most here don't have a clue how to use anything over the $4.95 special anyway, so go with that for now if you have never had a VOM. Have also purchased for kicks some of the "better" PRC $19 VOMs, surprisingly, they are within 1% accuracy, and one has lasted 5 years, but has no auto battery shutoff - a bummer!
PS: first VOM was an EICO kit in '59, $40!!, over a whole week's wages!
Funny, I have used a wiggy for over 18 years now, as have most of the guys in our shop. The company (gas and electric utility) has now banned the things.
Thank you for one of the few posts that has TRULY made me LOL.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
"You can use a lady to check voltages. Use their fingers for probes and listen to the yips. The louder the noise the high the voltage. Unfortunately I can't find any that last for more than one job."
My dad did that to my mother and they STILL got married.
But I think that he was using one of those handcrank magneto megers.
Check out IDEAL.
http://www.testersandmeters.com
61-055 is the hot setup for powered unloaded (or Loaded) wires. HD has a few of Ideal VOM's on the shelf but hit a full line electrical distributor for the full line of meters.
Better value than a Fluke. These used to be mediocre but in the last 3 years they have developed a new line.
The above is 72.00. in a package with a 61-155 GFI -AFCI circuit tester it is 254.
I'll back Booch on this point.
If you really have to get a meter, You might be amazed at what a Wiggy can do, and assuming your not made of money, the Ideal brand is pretty good. I got one, an ammeter for around $75, at the local HD for off jobs and helper use but now I find myself carrying it more than the expensive and last word Fluke. Not as accurate or long lasting as a Fluke with care it should last a light user quite some time.
Amazingly the digital meters have a lifetime warranty (not the leads) and the others 5 years. Lots of fine print but pretty reasonable people. Had the tech weenies in on Monday where they presented these and the other higher tech meters. Seemed like real people with a consience.Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?