What to look for when buying a non-contact voltage tester
We have listed some important factors to consider before buying a non-contact voltage tester. What I have outlined is an important aspect of making a good voltage tester. Please be careful accordingly.
What is a non-contact voltage tester?
A non-contact voltage tester or detector is an electrical tester that helps detect the presence of voltage. The presence of voltage is useful information when troubleshooting or working on a failed asset. The first tool to use is a non-contact voltage detector.
Non-contact voltage tester detection voltage
The synonyms for the non-contact voltage tester are:
Electric tester pen
Voltage tester pen
Non-contact voltage detector
Voltage detection pen
AC voltage detector
Non-contact electric tester
Electric sniffer
Bolt Alert Tester
Non-contact voltage detector
Non-contact circuit tester
AC tester pen
No-touch voltage tester
Proximity voltage tester
Live wire tester pen
Non-contact power tester
Non-contact voltage checker
How does a non-contact voltage tester work?
The non-contact voltage tester works by detecting a very small amount of current that is capacitively coupled from the live circuit to the tester and returns to the ground. The non-contact voltage tester lights up when it detects this current without direct contact.
A built-in sensor at the tip of the tester detects the presence of voltage when you touch a conductor, outlet, or power cord. By holding the tool, it becomes a ground reference by capacitive coupling. When the tip glows red and the unit beeps, you know that voltage is present.
How to use the non-contact voltage tester
To use a non-contact voltage tester, simply bring the tip of the tester into contact with the wire. When testing the outlet, the tip of the tester should place on the faceplate of the small plug slot. Most testers turn on and/or make a sound to confirm that a voltage is present.
Be sure to read and follow the accompanying instructions and warnings before you start using the non-contact voltage tester. All testers are a little different.
To test a wire and test whether it is alive, follow these simple steps:
Confirmation: Place the tip of the non-contact voltage tester on a known live line or system
Test: Use a tester to see if there is the voltage on the wire or system that needs to check
Check: Retest against a known voltage source to make sure the tester’s battery is not empty or the tester is not malfunctioning during the test.
Note: You can use a voltage tester or detector to test the power line without a multimeter.
Non-contact voltage tester and multimeter
The difference between a multimeter and a voltage tester is that the non-contact voltage tester only detects the presence of voltage. Multimeters can use for a variety of measurements and tests, including measuring wire voltage levels.
Voltage range detection
It is recommended that the voltage detectors obtained quickly switch between two different detection modes: high voltage alternating current (range 48 V to 1000 V) and low voltage AC (12 V to 48 V). The reason we recommend getting a tester capable of dual-range testing is to allow you to use your device in a variety of ways.
safety
Yet another component that must careful note. The non-contact voltage detectors you purchase should classify into the official measurement category of the safety organization, especially CATI to CATIV, the latter being considered the best safety tool classification.
Also, pay attention to the AC voltage immediately after CAT classification. The specific numbers outlined indicate the maximum voltage rating that the tester can safely check.
If you have any questions, you can send an email from your personal email address to the classification agency to determine if the product is certified as genuine.
sensitivity
We strongly recommend that you get a device that allows you to fine-tune the sensitivity settings to suit your application. This feature prevents you from accidentally picking up electrical signals that could tamper with your test results.
Functionality
A functional outlet tester has many features such as an LED flashlight, laser pointer, battery check function, voltage signal indicator, and so on. The rule of thumb I adhere to is that “the more features a product has, the better it will be.” Therefore, I am always trying to find an outlet tester that offers the most features.
design
If you need a device that is easy to handle and manage, get an ergonomically designed voltage tester for handling comfort. A well-designed device will not cause hand fatigue over widespread use.
Size is also taken into account. We recommend that you purchase one that is designed to be compact. That way, you can take your device with you wherever you go.
In addition, you can get a non-contact voltage tester that comes with a hook and put it in your shirt pocket.
For reference, we also have a list of our favorite circuit breaker viewfinders. In addition, see the most affordable electrical circuit tracers, if needed.
What is the type of non-contact voltage tester?
Given the variety of products in the non-contact voltage tester category, it may be expected that there will be different types of NCVT. You can also imagine that there are non-contact DC voltage detectors, non-contact DC voltage testers, or regular DC testers on the market. .. However, this is not the case here.
In general, there are two types of non-contact live-line testers: inductively coupled voltage sensors and capacitive coupling sensors. Basically, these two different voltage sensors differ in how they detect current. For more information on the differences between the sensors, please visit Reddit.
How can I check if the tester is working?
If the LED bar graph or LED light on your device is properly lit near a working electrical path, cable, or outlet, you know that the tester is working. The presence of a magnetic field properly triggers the device’s sensor to let you know if the wire you are touching is currently carrying voltage energy.
Is the non-contact voltage tester safe?
Yes! CVT (continuously variable transmission) is safe to use. These are devices specially created to quickly determine if the current is flowing through a wire without the need to connect and open the wire. Therefore, it is safely plate from electricity. You can check out several brands of contactless voltage testers from Amazon to find the one that’s right for you to use.
Is the voltage tester the same as a multimeter?
No, non-contact voltage testers are different from multimeters. In essence, the non-contact voltage tester so name because it can only measure the voltage of an electrical device without touching it. Multimeters, on the other hand, are much more complex because they can evaluate and output accurate readings of AC and DC voltages, capacitances, conductions, frequencies, and resistors.
Conclusion
A contactless voltage tester is an important tool you will need if you are working on a wiring project. This type of voltage tester allows you to test your voltage without having to open and connect the wires. In fact, the presence of an electric field turns off this type of tester.
If you want your work to be manageable, productive, and practical, we recommend purchasing the best non-contact voltage tester for your particular application. believe me. Reliable technology can save you from the hassle and hassle of working around cables, outlets, and other electrical systems.
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