Voltage indicators

[joehat]

Who uses and what are your main causes for false reading?

I find they don't pick up voltage when cables are in cold conditions, any ideas why?

 

[Simonslimline]

Do you mean non contact voltage detectors?

If so then "Voltstick" make the best ones in my opinion.

These should never be used to prove dead. They are a handy indication at best.

 

[joehat]

Do you mean non contact voltage detectors?

If so then "Voltstick" make the best ones in my opinion.

These should never be used to prove dead. They are a handy indication at best.

Yes sorry your correctly and yes, I use for fault finding and to indicate if circuits are live but not dead ect

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I find them very useful Jo. I cant remember ever having any problems in the cold though. As said above I would never use to prove dead but they have their place if used appropriately.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Yes sorry your correctly and yes, I use for fault finding and to indicate if circuits are live but not dead ect

They do tend to be quite unpredictable! My fluke volt stick has on more than one ocassion told me their is voltage and I'm thinking 'surely thats not right', I then test and there are zero volts.

 

[davesparks]

They do tend to be quite unpredictable! My fluke volt stick has on more than one ocassion told me their is voltage and I'm thinking 'surely thats not right', I then test and there are zero volts.

So you could have saved time by just testing properly in the first place?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

So you could have saved time by just testing properly in the first place?

Unlikely, if I was testing for dead it would be done properly so it would have been for another reason that I dont intend to try and remember at present. If I did use a volt stick to prove dead I'd be happy to say, although I'd probably be dead! Ha, an amusing accidental play on words after 2 pints.

 

[Midwest]

Have to say given up on them for quick reference, too many false readings, just like those wall/stud/pipe detector things. Don't use them for proving dead.

 

[7029 dave]

IMO they do have there place, if used correctly and will repeat other members,DO NOT USE to prove dead, we use them on sse, have been desensitized, so quite good. What I have noticed not very good on outside boxes, cables with cobwebbs on (damp) you need to clear all the webb off, or it bleeps an lights up on everything.

 

[newtothis]

Cos I'm a bit of a scardy cat, I go throught the safe isolation process then use the voltstick as an added precaution. :conehead:

 

[telectrix]

voltstick is useful to identify a live cable as opposed to a switch wire, or a live cable in a bunch, but s only a guide, having the advantage of not having to access terminals. as said before, only conclusive test for dead is an approved voltrage indicator (or a wet finger.:beatnik:

 

[shanky887614]

voltstick is useful to identify a live cable as opposed to a switch wire, or a live cable in a bunch, but s only a guide, having the advantage of not having to access terminals. as said before, only conclusive test for dead is an approved voltrage indicator (or a wet finger.:beatnik:

a mardy gits snips work well as well ^^