On 15 Nov 2003 14:40:39 -0800, dave L wrote:

As a matter of interest do people who know more about electrics than
me (that'll be all of you, then) use these neon screwdrivers?

I have one and use it occasionally when I can't find my prefered
tester a "Volt Stick". The big plus about the volt stick is that is
non-contact, you can see if a cable is live without needing to be at
an end or cut into it.

As they're sold as a current-detecting device

Voltage detecting device, you could touch it against a cable carrying
a thousand amps at a low voltage and it wouldn't light.

(ie, to show if a components is live and likely to shock you) I
think they're perhaps mis-sold.

Cheap modern ones seem to be much more prone to this "false"
indication than an old (40years) one that my father has. I have never
known that give a false indiaction and I've never felt a tingle from
it either. Both of which I have had from a cheap modern one.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail