who uses non contact voltage indicators?

[ExArmy]

recently it has come to light that some people frown upon these and don't trust them. I personally think they are handy and use one all the time. so i've made a poll to see what everybody else thinks:

 

[High Tower]

yeah, they have their uses, just never use them to prove dead.

 

[Strima]

I put yeah but rarely use them as I don't trust them. I think people place too much reliance on them to the point of not bothering to carry out safe isolation.

 

[HandySparks]

Very handy tool sometimes. eg finding a RFC cable in a bunch before cutting and inserting a junction box for a spur. Just turn all circuits off except the one you want; then it's the only one that lights up the indicator. Will also check that pendant lights are switched in the line rather than neutral without standing on steps and opening the rose.

A non contact tester will show up faulty circuits where L, N and E are all live, which a two pole tester won't. I know they're not 100% reliable, but I'd not be without one.

 

[sbrown2]

I dont understand. What is wrong with a non contact tester as long as it is proved. In some of the most dangerous environments would a non contact tester be the norm?

 

[nickblake]

i have a fluke volt stick brand new , and the problem is induced voltage you can get false indications as we all know there is enough induced voltage in some installations to light up the volt stick , the oly time i use them is for circuit identification , when on it lights up and switch off the breaker it goes off that sort of thing but i will never assume the circuit is dead using them ill always get my prods out to do that , handy for some things not for safe isolation purposes or fault finding

 

[kingeri]

I used one just yesterday to identify a live cable that was amongst a bunch of dead ones under a floorboard. They have their uses, but as said, never use one to prove dead, or you might prove dead yourself!

 

[sparky-s-w]

yep keep one on me at all times, when your in a loft space and trying to identify a live cable in a group then spot on, but as all will agree not to trust for live/dead certanty.

 

[Guest123]

I have one, a fluke. I trust it to do what it says on the tin and it hasn't let me down yet.

 

[topquark]

I have a megger one in the bag (and that's where it usually stays). I tend to use it if I'm not working alone (just as a sanity check, when I think a circuit has previously been isolated and proved dead).

 

[telectrix]

just looked at the poll result. as they say " there's always one"