Be warned !!! They really are dangerous !!

[Dazza1976]

As qualified electricians we all know we shouldnt use the neon screwdrivers to test if voltage is present, well the other day i learnt the hard way, and was lucky to come out unhurt.

I didnt have my approved voltage tester to hand, and being lazy and despite the warnings i decided to use my neon screwdriver to test if there was a voltage on a fused spur for an immersion heater. I put the screwdriver on the live terminal and put my thumb on the end, and before i knew it there was one almighty flash and BANG and sparks flew out almost like a fire work going off ! I **** myself and jumped back. The tip of the screwdriver had gone black and literally melted.

Amazingly i didnt get a shock out of it, but the fright was more than enough for me to vow NEVER to use one again, and i promptly threw it in the bin.

Have any of you ever had a bad experience using one ? It makes me wonder how they are allowed to sell them ?

 

[pennywise]

Yes ok dead tests confirm the polarity fully, but just as a quick Live neutral reverse or a dropped conductor plug it you have saved my blushes

 

[ehs284]

Some years ago I was putting up the Christmas tree lights with my then 3 year old son. As usual not working so put neon screwdriver on live terminal and I lit up. He'd been sucking it and the whole thing was filled with spit. Never used one on anything potentially live since.

 

[solo2771]

As qualified electricians we all know we shouldnt use the neon screwdrivers to test if voltage is present, well the other day i learnt the hard way, and was lucky to come out unhurt.

I didnt have my approved voltage tester to hand, and being lazy and despite the warnings i decided to use my neon screwdriver to test if there was a voltage on a fused spur for an immersion heater. I put the screwdriver on the live terminal and put my thumb on the end, and before i knew it there was one almighty flash and BANG and sparks flew out almost like a fire work going off ! I **** myself and jumped back. The tip of the screwdriver had gone black and literally melted.

Amazingly i didnt get a shock out of it, but the fright was more than enough for me to vow NEVER to use one again, and i promptly threw it in the bin.

Have any of you ever had a bad experience using one ? It makes me wonder how they are allowed to sell them ?

In the latest set of screwdrivers igot there was one and as soon as i opened it it went in the bin ( i don't like to be a path for electricity)
Paul

 

[Sintra]

Imagine if that little resistor failed short circuit.................

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Complacency is a killer I am fortunate enough not to be running to deadlines like your self employed over worked sparky, but please guys just think about that split second rash decision not to carry out a full isolation, proving your testers, using an approved tester...5 minutes you might save...get it wrong and your wife and kids might be on their own for Xmas dinner !..Think on...........

 

[nickblake]

i got one of these for a small calls kit great very handy they do an 18 piece version and yes it has a neon screwdriver in it Why ill never know

 

[SpannerSpark]

On my first day an sparks college the lecturer made us all remove the neons from our shiny new toolkits and smash them. If he found any "rogue" ones from then on they all got the same treatment, bl**dy good thing too. The only problem i have found with my glow stick is that initially i used it as a sanity check after i isolated and tested dead...and found it was never wrong, i think i am starting to trust it a little too much if you know what i mean.

 

[thepurple1]

If you want something safe, handy and small get a Volt stick

 

[accordfire]

If you want something safe, handy and small get a Volt stick

If you want something safe, handy, and means you'll go home in one piece at night, use a proper test meter............

 

[Des 56]

Its the only popular tester that uses the human body as the vital component to pass the current
That requirement speaks volumes dont you agree

 

[martysparky]

I would ban the glow sticks too whilst were at it, hate them almost as much as neons

Thats how I think of them, The modern neon!

 

[ukpablo]

isnt it a joke accessory for every electricians toolbox!

 

[eskimo39]

What about these? Socket & See EPF30 Professional Easy Phase Finder Details - Test4less Electrical & Gas Test Equipment Distributor does this work as a safe Neon??

 

[glenspark]

I am currently doing the 2330 at wakefield college but already have the 2392 and 17th. These `neons` are bloody dangerous in my opinion and should be banned, they are simply not acceptable for the purposes of safe isolation. Eventualy I will be running my own business and would confiscate these things from any employee of mine ...period.

 

[Golden_Boy]

Said it before, and no doubt will say it again.

They DO need to be banned. To me, it's as daft as using an uninsulated screwdriver on a live busbar.

I go through engineer's toolkits from time to time, and make no apology for removing neons, and stamping on them. Hard.

I doubt most of them are even rated insulated for use on mains voltage.

PVC insulation of less than 0.5 mm will withstand over 240 volts with no problem at all. Just look inside any television receiver. THe plastic parts of a neon tester are made from the same plastic as any other terminal type screwdriver and will withstand thousands of volts. Its the stupid neon bulb and its associated el cheepo resistor that are the dangerous parts. As for the melted end of the screwdiver.... it must have shorted out a live to earth ( or neutral ) this could have happened with even the most expensive screwdriver you could buy.

 

[Sintra]

As for the melted end of the screwdiver.... it must have shorted out a live to earth ( or neutral ) this could have happened with even the most expensive screwdriver you could buy.

You shouldn'd be putting any screwdriver onto a live terminal.

 

[Wiredspark]

I just found one of these on our gaffers desk. So I have broken it and now I'm getting grief for breaking his tools. The appreciation you get these days for saving someones life. sheeesh

 

[accordfire]

I just found one of these on our gaffers desk. So I have broken it and now I'm getting grief for breaking his tools. The appreciation you get these days for saving someones life. sheeesh

Tell him there's 50 electricians, 3991 five week wonders, and another 4000 "guests" with intelligence here who are right behind you (that way he slaps you first, see) and applaud your very wise and clever decision to have the foresight to save his life BEFORE he put it at risk again.

 

[Wiredspark]

Tell him there's 50 electricians, 3991 five week wonders, and another 4000 "guests" with intelligence here who are right behind you (that way he slaps you first, see) and applaud your very wise and clever decision to have the foresight to save his life BEFORE he put it at risk again.

lol, yeah, he's also my Da. He's also since told me he wouldn't use it in a live situation but it's good for pendants.

I couldn't care like, I wouldn't use one at all. Thats why I bought a termial driver.

 

[mayfair]

Great when working alone for identifying circuits .........never trust them to prove a dead circuit.

I would ban the glow sticks too whilst were at it, hate them almost as much as neons