Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 18, 2004 06:30am | #1

   Greenlee is a well known brand of quality electrical tools.

   I would not worry about getting one from the home horror stores.

   BUT, now of them come with a "life" guarantee.

   You need to get the feel of them. If in doubt check the wire hot and it should beep, then turn of the power off and it should not beep.

   If you don't have that sequence then you are either getting a false reading or you are turning it on/off with the wrong switch/breaker.

2. 
   4Lorn1 | Jul 18, 2004 06:40am | #2

   You don't indicate which models your referring to but even simple neon lamp voltage detectors, basically a couple of short leads connected to a neon lamp, or lamps indicating voltage ranges, that light up when a set voltage is present, are generally adequate for occasional use on small jobs.

   I have a couple of these units rattling around and keep one in a Klein bag with a few basic hand tools for odd jobs when my normal assortment of tools is unavailable.

   If your referring to non-contact voltage detectors I would use these as a back-up only. The non-contact models have limitations that can confuse the situation and potentially mislead an inexperienced user. I would think the short lead neon test sets to be a superior tool for inexperienced users.

   If you have the money I would recommend the workhorse of field test units, the solenoid test set. One of the best of this type is also the longest standing design, the 'Square D' brand 'Wiggy'. Reasonably priced at about $20. As an electrician it is my first choice for troubleshooting. Probably 90% of service work can be done with this unit alone. It is a reliable and rugged design that is so common to the industry that replacement leads usually available at better electrical supply houses.

3. 
   DanH | Jul 18, 2004 05:52pm | #3

   I have a GB unit that I like. Paid something like $15 for it at my local HW store. I would assume that the others (at least the ones priced above $5) are about the same.

   You have to understand the limitations of these units, though. They pick up the capacitive field of the wire, and any metal or anything with a high moisture content (eg, wet drywall) can throw them off. Plus it takes some practice to be able to locate the wire with any precision.

   And as someone said, they shouldn't be trusted with your life. Use a meter or a neon bulb to see of a wire is "live" before you work with it.

1. 
   brownbagg | Jul 18, 2004 09:42pm | #4

   stay away from sperry, anything but them. I rather lick my fingers than use a sperry

   Edited 7/18/2004 4:32 pm ET by BROWNBAGG

4. 
   ronbudgell | Jul 19, 2004 02:30am | #5

   I remember this discussion from a year or so ago. I think there was preetty general agreement that the GB detector was a POS. I know for sure that mine was for the short time it lasted.

   Having said that, I usually go for the little neon light tester first. Even a low voltage will light it.

   Ron