New Volt Tic? - Page 2 - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Black4Truck · 08-28-2009, 06:29 PM

I never trusted those "gadgets" to tell me if a wire was live

lectro88 · 08-28-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcclary's electrical

That's a piece of junk, I bought one because I liked the fact that it had a power light on it. The VERY FIRST DAY I used it I was trimming out a house that had power on it. I climbed up a ladder to install a flood light. I put the tester ON BOTH SIDES, TWICE, of the NM. It did nothing, So I took my BRAND NEW strippers and cut the wire, POW!!! RUINED my strippers,,,I climbed back down the ladder, laid it on the deck AND STOMPED IT. Greenlee makes the best tick tracer. It hasnever lied to me. You can test it by rubbing it on the hair of your arm. REliable

Sounds like my way to calibrate most everything, man I'm still laughing. But in all seriousness this is why I refer to all these different "pen type" testers as Liars Sticks. They will lie to you at any given time, and I only use a liars stick for a general idea. I've used about all of them, I currently use a Greenlee had it so long all the markings have rubbed off, 2 years at least. Twist on/off at top pocket clip. I keep this lying jewel in my shirt pocket.

drsparky · 08-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

I never trusted those "gadgets" to tell me if a wire was live

Aren't all meters "gadgets"?

Black4Truck · 08-28-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsparky

Aren't all meters "gadgets"?

Yes they are.. but those never lie.

That "stick" gizmo got me a few times working outside.

Even a pigtail and light bulb is better than that piece of crap IMO

drsparky · 08-28-2009, 07:45 PM

They do not replace a meter, they supplement a meter.

Black4Truck · 08-28-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsparky

They do not replace a meter, they supplement a meter.

yea right

like they are going to walk to where the tools are stored and double check with a REAL meter

I just avoid the double checking BS and use a wiggy

Let the ACE Hardware guy use the "magic stick" to see if a wire is live

Lone Crapshooter · 08-28-2009, 09:24 PM

As a free thinker I want to throw a new name in the hat. that is Santronics. www.santronics.com .I have 2 of the Ultimate Sensor I cary one in my nerd-pack. It has a red light that works just like other sensors plus a audioable device that sounds only in the presence of voltage. and it does not have a on/off switch.
I do not like pen sensors with on/off switches I think they are extremely dangerous and I would hope to see them outlawed by OSHA someday. One more thing they are made in the USA and they are priced in line with other pen sensors.
LC

mcclary's electrical · 08-28-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

yea right

like they are going to walk to where the tools are stored and double check with a REAL meter

I just avoid the double checking BS and use a wiggy

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Let the ACE Hardware guy use the "magic stick" to see if a wire is live

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Who puts a wiggy on every wire in a house while trimming out??? You're kidding right!!
Please tell me you're kidding, I'll trim out two houses to your one. Troubleshooting,,,yes always have a meter,,,nvere trust a tick,,,,but trimming out a house,,,you're gonna lose your as*

Kevin J · 08-28-2009, 09:34 PM

I want to know, who has the circuits energized before the house is trimmed out?

mcclary's electrical · 08-28-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin J

I want to know, who has the circuits energized before the house is trimmed out?

It happens all the time if they want temp lights,,,,and most importantly they ALWAYS wanna either get AC on in summer,,,,or heat on in winter. It happens all the time. Almost every house I do. Somebody's gonna ask for power. Sheetrockers, floor guys,,painters,,, they all have excuses. Do you do many houses?

Kevin J · 08-28-2009, 09:55 PM

Yeah, I do enough to not energize the circuits not trimmed out yet. I give em a bath outlet or something that is on it's own circuit. Last time I checked, the furnace or outdoor units weren't tied into any other circuits that might get a device on them later. And if anyone wants temp lights, they better get some work lights, or make up a light string. I don't energize my lighting circuits for no painter, trim man, and especially no sheetrockers.

st0mps · 08-28-2009, 11:39 PM

from having both green and klein touch tester, greenlee picks up voltage alot better threw sj cord and other cords alot more better then klein

BCSparkyGirl · 08-29-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black4Truck

I never trusted those "gadgets" to tell me if a wire was live

So you prefer the old fashioned method of just clamping them on your nipples to tell? I figured you for one of those!

william1978 · 08-29-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCSparkyGirl

So you prefer the old fashioned method of just clamping them on your nipples to tell? I figured you for one of those!

Fredman · 08-29-2009, 10:36 AM

http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/upl...20(Custom).JPG
I keep it in my front pants pocket all the time. Never leave home without it. The light turns blue around neutrals - turns red as you approach the hot.

I've used'em all - This one has been by far the most dependable.

Black4Truck · 08-29-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCSparkyGirl

So you prefer the old fashioned method of just clamping them on your nipples to tell? I figured you for one of those!

No I just use my tongue and lick the wire.. I'm from NY

ralpha494 · 08-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Hey Fredman! What kind of Fluke tester is that? I can't even find it on Fluke's web site.

I have been using a Santronics, Inc. non-contact tester for years. The 3115 just glows, while the AC3000 buzzes with AC voltage and not static. Manufactured and packaged in the USA. "Used by OSHA"

I saved the instructions to read to the 70 E classes. It talks about wet romex not giving a voltage reading. "Outdoor romex cable is not effected by water."

gilbequick · 08-29-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralpha494

Hey Fredman! What kind of Fluke tester is that? I can't even find it on Fluke's web site.

http://www.professionalequipment.com...ltage-testers/

That's the lvd1, they've also got an lvd2. I have the lvd2. They work great but the huge downfall is the on/off button. I turn mine on all the time without knowing it and it kills the batteries.

IMO the Fluke Voltalert are the best out there, but at $30 each they're not cheap. I use the Klein now (for 1/2 the price of the Fluke). The Klein and Fluke are almost identical in performance, the Fluke is just a higher quality product.

mainlug · 08-29-2009, 02:22 PM

I used to have the greenlee, it was a piece of junk. The twist on top would never stay on. Now I have the Fluke. It's more expensive, but way more reliable.

Voltage Hazard · 08-29-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilbequick

The Klein and Fluke are almost identical in performance, the Fluke is just a higher quality product.

I stated earlier that the Klein and Fluke were pretty much Identical, but I am also using the Klein over the Fluke now. Half the price, and available at any Homer's Depot.

But, why do you say the Fluke is a higher quality product than Klein? Is it just because it is way more expensive? If the features are the same, the detection is the same, and they both take a good beating, what makes Fluke the higher quality? The name, the price, or what?