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#16979 11/19/02 07:40 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 186
M
mj Offline OP
Member
checking for live circuits.. do you trust the "touch light indicators" .?

#16980 11/19/02 08:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 267
W
Member
MJ;
I never really put a lot of faith in them, they're ok, but I still prefer a decent set of voltage testers myself, heard to many horor stories.

#16981 11/19/02 08:19 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
We use the "touch lite" units for a quick reference....but we check with a "wiggy".
I use a "tic-tracer" that "beeps" as a helper to locate cb's if I'm alone. It don't take coffee breaks, sick days, or complain!
John


John
#16982 11/19/02 08:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
Member
What are the "touch light" indicators?

Is that the one that's a little neon bulb in a screwdriver handle where you touch the copper "cap" at the end and stick the other end into the socket holes?

If that's the one, I have one....makes a good mini screwdriver...but I'm too chicken to stick that into a wall socket. [Linked Image]

I use a little gadget that consists of a series of neon bulbs and two wire probes.

Each bulb is marked with a voltage (110, 220, etc.) so depending on which one lights up, that's what the voltage is across the circuit. Then of course there's my multimeter... [Linked Image]

#16983 11/19/02 08:58 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 267
W
Member
I remember back at the tech I was in the co-op program. On the job one of my 1st days there was this veteran electrician who they called the human wiggy. I asked why, so they introduced me to him and he showed me how he checks for live ckts with his two fingers! I couldn't believe it, so I checked with a voltage tester sure enough it was live. Then he said to me it was initiating time! I was considering running at that instance, but he just laughed and said, gohead it won't hurt u it just runs between your two fingers. Never touched it. That was 20 yrs ago, every once in a while I still run into the ole human wiggy, wondering if he's lost a few brain cells over the years. [Linked Image]

#16984 11/19/02 09:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
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Sven:
The "touch lite" tester is an item made by Fluke, Amprobe, Gardner-Bender, TIF, etc.
It's similar in size to a magic marker, or a "fat" pen.
Operation is:
You touch the tip on a "live" conductor and the tip illuminates. Some models have a audible tone additionally. The concept is that you can have an indication of potential (voltage) in a conductor without having to open any splices, or "skin" the conductor.
The tip of the Fluke model is capable of fitting into the "hot" slot of a receptacle.

They are a great tool for a fast indication of voltage.....BUT they do not "indicate" what the voltage is. Voltage ranges of 24 to 1500/122000 volts are available, DEPENDENT on the unit you buy. The hi-voltage TIF model requires a hot stick adaptor. Price range is $15 to $125.00.

I have a Fluke and a TIF (w/hot stick)

Hope this answers your query....
John


John
#16985 11/19/02 09:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
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Wirenutt:
I thought the only "cheap" 'lectrician was a guy here in NJ who tests circuits the way your human wiggy does....
Guess he's got a relative where you are.
John


John
#16986 11/19/02 09:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 50
J
Member
I use a Fluke. I used to use a cheaper one, I beleive it was a GB. The problem with the cheaper ones (and it can be a problem with the better ones too) is that when going inside an enclosure to check for hot wires, a cheaper one will light up as soon as you get close and you cannot determine what is hot and what is not.
These testers are not the final say for me either but can be valuable to seperate circuits etc.

#16987 11/19/02 09:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 210
S
Member
The induction sensors are great as a quick refereence only. For trouble shooting a wiggy or multimeter is the only way to go.

#16988 11/19/02 09:55 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 132
E
Member
I think they are the "cat's meow"! If knowing whether or not a circuit with "hazardous" voltage is present it is great. Obviously it can't let you know exact voltages. I found one that worked 0-24 volts. It was great for tracing fire alarm circuits.

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