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Steve Barker[_5_]

Dave wrote:
"bud--" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:35:22 -0600, bud--
wrote:

Stormin Mormon wrote:
I'd suggest to buy a three bulb tester at the store, and see what that
reads. Something sounds strange, with that set of readings.

The 3 lite tester uses a lot higher current than a digital meter so it
shouldn't show phantom voltage.

But it has its own problems. In particular, it can't test for sure there
is a good ground. As with a digital meter, you should know the
limitations of test equipment.
How can it not indicate there is a good ground? - or by good do
you mean a low resistance ground?If the ground is not connected, the
3 lite will show you.
But you are right - it cannot tell you if the ground is up to the
required standard.
I never had a 3 lite tester until rather recently. The package explicitly
said it would not determine if the ground was good. Also doesn't determine
if hot or neutral are good, but you can tell when you use the outlet.

There are other possibilities. Like if there is no ground and an idiot
wires a receptacle neutral to the ground, and then an idiot - the same or
new - replaces a receptacle upstream and accidentally swaps the hot and
neutral. The 3 lite tester will show the receptacle with a hot ground as
OK. Real unlikely, but ....

--
bud--

Wow. So, bottom line is, an analog meter is the only thing you can really
trust?

I believe there was a trick to make a digital meter NOT show phantom
voltage, but i don't remember what it is. I have a $6 meter in my bag
for house electrical issues. The digital is reserved for the automotive
use.