Ralph Mowery wrote:
"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message
...
Sometimes the simplest tools are the best, like the good old Wiggy.
http://www.amazon.com/Klein-69115-So.../dp/B000KII9SM
TDD
Sometimes they are. I have never used the Klein tester but can see where
it may be a much beter circuit tester than some meters.
One advantage is a Wiggy is pretty indestructible, as from drops,
compared to a meter. I tend to use a neon test light for things like
receptacles, partly because you can tell what wire is hot and it takes
no space in my pocket.
Only problem is
that it is a $ 50 or so tool where the meters can be bought for $ 5 to $ 20
and be used for more things.
Particularly after reading about arc-flash and 'sudden reconfiguration
of the physical parts of a meter syndrome' I am more careful what I use.
Measuring at a receptacle is not so bad, but I want something good if I
am in a service panel, and something real good at high energy locations
- 480V or high amps. There is a category rating for meters - Fluke (and
others) use it.
A good old low power light bulb is very useful
to run some checks with around the house.
Yea - simple but effective.
For quick checks where I work I have a Fluke tester that is sort of like
that. You just hook it up with the two test leads. If it is AC then
anything from 24 to about 600 volts will light up some leds. It is DC then
other lights will glow from about 12 volts up. And if there is a very low
value resistance, another light will glow. Comes in handy for quick test
when I may be working on some of the computer controlled equipment and may
need to know if I have a relay contacts closed, or 24 volts , 120 volts or
480 volts active.
One thing I did not mention is that on a Simpson 260 and probably others
like it is that if you suspect a phantom voltage you can move from one range
to another and the meter will stay in about the same place on the scale. If
the voltage is a solid voltage then the meter will go up or down a good bit
to match the voltage with the scale on the meter.
Ran across that once and it was one of more bizarre measurements I have
seen.
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bud--