Mains tester showing Oven casing as live

[Jamie Wilson]

When I turn my oven on and touch a mains tester screwdriver against the casing it illuminates. It’s only happens when the heating element is on.

The oven heats well and shows no other signs of issues. The casing is clearly not properly live as it’s touched all the time.

Is this something to be concerned about or normal? Any explanation?

Thanks

 

[Marvo]

A neon test screwdriver isn't exactly a piece of definitive test equipment but from what you say I'd suspect there's a couple of faults with your stove which could cause shocks if they get worse.

I'd strongly suggest you should get a sparky in to check the earth impedance and the insulation resistance and probably fix both of them whilst he's there.

 

[dmxtothemax]

DITTO !
a neon tester only requires a very small current to operate,
In fact the current is so small you cannot feel it
even thou it most definitely is flowing thru you
it is not unusual for stove elements to develop leaks to ground
yours most likely is leaking to ground, but the leak is still small.
you should get an electrician to check it out as it requires specialist testing equipment. The leak will get worse.

 

[buzzlightyear]

a neon tester only requires a very small current to operate,
In fact the current is so small you cannot feel it
even thou it most definitely is flowing thru you
it is not unusual for stove elements to develop leaks to ground
yours most likely is leaking to ground, but the leak is still small.
you should get an electrician to check it out as it requires specialist testing equipment. The leak will get worse

and while your ring round for a spark ,bin the c77p neon tester .Couse boy that thing will cost you your life .

 

[telectrix]

i can't understand why these things are still available th purchase. even the likes of wiha ans wera, having put a lot of thought, effortand extensive testing into the design of a set of VDE drivers, then chuck in one of these life-threatening devices. bin the bloody thing.

 

[Marvo]

I'd agree than neon screwdrivers are dangerous unless the user knows exactly how they operate and understands why they might not work if your standing on insulated step ladders and why they might give false positives with capacitively coupled / ghost voltages etc. Best avoided entirely in most cases.

 

[telectrix]

these drivers need proper testing. stir tea with a lot of sugar in it, then stand barefoot on concrete, in a puddle of salt water. then try on a live terminal. survivors gain entrance into a draw for a fluke approved tester.

 

[sparkdog]

It was the main bit of kit when I was an apprentice.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

They are perfectly safe if you know what you are doing and understand their limitations.

In this case clearly the earth connection is missing on the oven casing.

 

[telectrix]

They are perfectly safe if you know what you are doing and understand their limitations.

In this case clearly the earth connection is missing on the oven casing.

how do you make that out.only a proper testing procedure could establish that.