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?
What can you use for shaving, cleaning you clothes and sleeping in?
The secret, IMHO, is to know the limitations of what you are using.
For a meter I would use my digital Fluke (which is category-rated). If I
saw odd low voltages I would check with a light bulb in a pigtail
socket. Fluke has meters that can be switched between high impedance and
lower impedance. You can get a good idea if a ground is good with the
pigtail light bulb. I most often use a neon test light. A 3-lite tester
gives some fast information. A "non-contact" voltage tester is real nice
sometimes. Check what Ralph wrote. Depends on what you want to find out.
What can you use for shaving, cleaning you clothes and sleeping in?
A razor, a brush and pajamas
--
bud--