Why did my voltage tester just explode?

[Jeansie]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but it seemed like a good place to find out why my voltage tester (screwdriver type) basically just exploded when I tested it on a mains voltage supply (back-box of a fused spur switch). I was trying to check whether the fused spur is part of the main loop (it looks like it is - it has 2 twin and earth cables feeding into one of the "input" set of the live, neutral and earth terminals, and one twin and earth feeding from the output to a junction box which isn't feeding anything)
Hopefully you can see from the attachment what it did to the voltage tester

None of the power supply has failed for any of the sockets in the house

If anyone has any ideas why this happened please let me know.

Thanks

 

[Jeansie]

Will do! I was just trying to check it was safe to leave things as they are until I could get someone to look at it

 

[dim_bulb]

I think I would be most worried that no fuse or mcb has operated I would look into that.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Will do! I was just trying to check it was safe to leave things as they are until I could get someone to look at it

Good lad

And while you're at it, throw that neon screwdriver away and make sure you don't buy another one !!

 

[i=p/u]

WHAT FUSE:shocked:

 

[Geordie Spark]

I think I would be most worried that no fuse or mcb has operated I would look into that.

Aye .... YOU would and I would, but I'm thinking that's a step too far for the OP based on what I've read so far !!

- - - Updated - - -

WHAT FUSE:shocked:

The one that's "protecting" the circuit ............. or not as the case may be.

 

[dim_bulb]

Calm down calm down

cant do the accent on here

 

[Jeansie]

No, I don't know why it isn't protecting the circuit (which is why an electrician is coming to look at it tomorrow). But I wanted to find out first whether or not it's safe to still be using any appliances in the house (and if the fuse should have tripped/blown/whatever you guys would say) first, to make sure I don't get a shock from anything or find the place burning down today!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Calm down calm down

cant do the accent on here

I'm OK really

But it's threads like this that prompted some folks to break away & start "The Other Forum" that we aren't allowed to mention on here. :wink_smile:

 

[Steve_P]

Forums are forums, just like advice is advice. I'm pleased that Jeansie is holding tight and letting a spark look into this. Hopefully they will find out what the reason is behind the fuse/MCB/RCD not doing what it's meant to and see what the spur(s) situation is. I would be interested in hearing what they have to say about it though, any chance of reporting back Jeansie?

 

[MDJ]

I expect the neon driver touched the earth bar on the item being tested whilst in the live terminal and a 3036 fuse didn't blow, it isn't unheard of, however a spark going in to look is the way forward.

 

[Jeansie]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And I appreciate that I probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. I was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so I was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so I can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (I was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before I wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, I thought I'd check it was actually wired in)

I will let you know what he says!

 

[ipf]

apologies if i should't have asked why it happened...i just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And i appreciate that i probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. i was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so i was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so i can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (i was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before i wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, i thought i'd check it was actually wired in)

i will let you know what he says!

Curiosity killed the cat, could have been more in this instance.

 

[Steve_P]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

I don't think anyone can blame you for asking that question, personally the worry was you and the screwdriver :wink_smile:

 

[brman]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And I appreciate that I probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. I was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so I was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so I can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (I was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before I wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, I thought I'd check it was actually wired in)

I will let you know what he says!

I think we would all rather you came hear and asked what was going on than carried on using the thing and got a worse result next time. At the very least you have learnt that there isn't much love for those neon screwdrivers :lol:

Absolutely nothing wrong with that in my mind

 

[applemac]

tea stirrer how dare he bring that before the cream

 

[maffa ent]

volt sticks are great, but not for proving dead. i always use mine for circuit id, a it has a loud bleep on it. lit and beeping, circuit on ( and testing the volt stick), then listen for bleep stopping, then use proper test lamp to check.

(at least that's what i preach!)

 

[MDJ]

they are great for chucking in the bin, totally unreliable and not safe for a electrician IMO

 

[i=p/u]

some say good for finding out which lamp has gone in crimbo lights, but i prfer the method that cracks you up

 

[James Sutton]

The pound shop electrical tool kit. I use one of them neon screwdrivers to clean the mud off the sole of my boots you can really get right into the grooves

 

[farmerian]

Ur a idiot for using them screwdrivers if u have any brains u wouldn't, they are dangers to everyone

 

[dim_bulb]

Bit harsh, I don't think the op was aware of the danger

 

[GLENNSPARK]

volt sticks are great, but not for proving dead. i always use mine for circuit id, a it has a loud bleep on it. lit and beeping, circuit on ( and testing the volt stick), then listen for bleep stopping, then use proper test lamp to check.

(at least that's what i preach!)

well the times i`v witnessed em bein used for safe isolation....lol....

 

[James Sutton]

Just got in from work just used my trusty neon to clean the mud off my boots. You cant beat em well work the 99p from the 99p store

 

[thekingiam]

lol, love the post why did this go bang! the neons are good for making holes in ceilings but don't use a hammer to whack them as they are only cheap plastic...........must stop doing that!tut tut.

 

[Marvo]

Ur a idiot for using them screwdrivers if u have any brains u wouldn't, they are dangers to everyone

That's an unnecessary comment. I'm sure the OP learned a valuable lesson and his question has definitely been answered.