On 9 Apr, 01:33, John Rumm wrote:
Pete Verdon wrote:
How are they supposed to work?

You touch the tip on something live or not, and they may light up or not.

I tagged one of these onto the end of a TLC order just to get an ok
electrician's-sized screwdriver. I don't intend to use the alleged
"testing" facility, but I'm curious how it's supposed to work. It looks
like it's meant to be touched to a live terminal and have the current
flow up the shaft, through a capsule which I assume is the bulb, and
then go via a brass end-cap *into my hand*. The last part of that I'm
not particularly keen on.

Yup, is about right - your provide the neutral path.

I assume that, while they're not well-regarded by most here, neon
screwdrivers don't actually electrocute their owners during intended
use.

No, that is usually when they do try to electrocute you. You stick the
driver on a live wire, it neglects to light, so you go ahead and touch
the wire!

--
Cheers,

John.

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The reason they don't light is that the user is ignorant of the why
they light up and is standing on a rubber mat wearing rubber soled
boots. If I've got any doubt I usually find some way of earthing my
other hand to give a definite earth path.

Personally I'd rather use a neon light stick than a meter - leads fall
out of meters, they unhook themselves, batteries fail, you require two
hands and I'm in more danger trying to find somewhere to clip the lead
to earth, and keep it there, than anything else. It's a case of know
your tools, be aware of their limitations and use them properly -
applies to everything from circular saws to screwdrivers.

I've never heard of one failing - has anyone? or is this nanny state
protectionism ? I've been working / playing with electricity since my
Dad gave me an electric train (12vac) when I was 5 and that was over
60 years ago. I've had the odd shock over the years - show me someone
working with electrics regularly who hasn't, but if I'm at all
concerned about a wire, I will just brush my finger across it quickly
to see if it is live.

Rob