Has any-one heard about the tester we've been using for years, (Ideal-wiggins) as far as it having problems if left on a test for longer than 20 seconds or so?
I work for a Major research facility, and we are not allowed to use either the Sq.D wiggys or the ideal testers. I think it has something to do with the solonoid in the testers. We have switched to the Fluke T5-600 digital. Has anyone heard of an accident with a wiggins type tester during a test?

Most solenoid testers like this are only rated for intermittent duty (I'm not sure how many seconds/minutes this means).

The inrush current by these solenoid testers may cause a problem on sensitive equipment.

We work with a lot of PLC I/O and prefer to use solenoid testers for checkout, although there are good times when an electronic meter is required.

Solenoid testers are more likeley to give a true indication if a point is on or off. "Leaky" triacs on an output module tends to make liars out of electronic meters, even real good ones like Fluke 87's, T5-1000, etc.

Induced voltage or noise on input wiring will cause a false reading on electronic meters also.

SJT,

I don't know if this is related, but there was a recall on some testers in 2003:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum14/HTML/000459.html

Here's another link:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/Forum/International/Ideal-Recall-lg.gif

Ideal makes a model called the vol-con elite - with or without solenoid. Both also offer NCV & continuity detection.

Bill,
Usually, solenoid type testers have a maximum of 30 seconds, where they can be connected to the voltage under test.
I think also, that as the voltage gets higher (towards the tester limit) this time allowance gets shorter.