"Wes Groleau" wrote in message
...
On 10-28-2013, 19:19, wrote:
The EASIEST way to test for a live chassis, or a live wire, is a neon
tester. It will light with only a "capacitive ground" and draws so
little current it is impossible to get a shock from.

That's easier if you know what you are doing. It requires contact with
the point being tested AND with a ground of some sort. Not everything
that is metal or looks like it is even a capacitive ground.

And, unless you understand how the light works, you don't know which side
is hot.


Often the simple neon bulb testers do not need a ground to tell which side
is the hot one. Just hold one of the leads in your hand and put the other
one to the circuit. Most often it will light up evenif you are not
grounded. The digital volt meters (VOM) will show a good bit of voltage
when the same test is ran.

You can also get the voltage test sticks that are battery powered and they
will light up /sound off on a hot wire.
They do not require any ground or even a direct contact with the circuit as
they are fully insulated.