Neon screwdrivers help!!!!

[SimpleSimon]

Like Pushrod I use both, if I'm 99% certain that the circuit Ive isolated at the DB is the one Im working on than I'll use my Volt Stick.

But if I'm not too sure where the circuit is coming from/ if it's isolated than I'll dig out the GS38 biz.

 

[The Finch]

Mine gets used as a terminal screwdriver and not used for testing, usually the only time I come across mains is the supply to a fire panel or remote psu but if I need to test I use a voltage tester currently the fluke ldv2 volt light I've also got fluke multimeter and T5 tester

When I was at college doing my c&g 1851 for security systems volt sticks were just taking off, tutor told us British gas engineers were issued with fluke 1AC voltalert and if caught with neon screwdriver on them or in tool box could get in a lot of trouble

 

[stephen1974]

I appreciate that people do try and answer these questions so please dont take offence that none of the answers given really answered the question. The best help came from providing the GS 38 pdf but what the student needed was an explanation of why these things don't comply with GS 38, not 20 posts saying, cos they're crap.

I also needed to answer this question. I've never used these screwdrivers, because i've heard they are not that safe, so I don't really know how they work. Looking at GS 38 I think the resons why the don't comply would be:

Lack of sufficient insulation.
Lack of finger barriers.
Excessive bare metal exposed (more than 4mm)
Lack of safety signage (maximum voltage,
Lack of protection from a fuse.

Would this be correct?

 

[trev]

Looking at GS 38 I think the resons why the don't comply would be:

Lack of sufficient insulation.
Lack of finger barriers.
Excessive bare metal exposed (more than 4mm)
Lack of safety signage (maximum voltage,
Lack of protection from a fuse.

Would this be correct?

There is a fuse in these things but apart from the other 4 reasons, anything that passes current through your body is a bad idea. There are far better methods of testing for dead/live than these

 

[Guest111]

I have a couple of reasons why I dont like neons,firstly a spark I worked with years ago got a proper belt off one,turned out his new apprentice knocked it into a bowl of water and was frightened he,d be in trouble so he carefully dried it with a towel and put it back,second was doing a five minute favour and had a neon in my pocket so used it,and ended up getting a right belt.used to like them for terminal drivers but lately found a supplier of the little black ones you used to get at college years ago (steadfast) anyone remember them? for reference BG used to issue you with a neon made by Martindale,black thing with a small window in the side and a point rather than screwdriver tip totally useless also.

 

[alarm man]

i wouldnt trust a neon or a volt stick,bin them both and meter it..

 

[Des 56]

Market forces can also play a part in explaining to you the negatives of the neon screwdriver

Ask yourself how many of the major test meter manufacturers sell humans attatched to screwdrivers,the answer is none
(Its not in their interests to get sued for the use of inappropriate equipment when manufacturing their test instruments)
Even their destructive testing of the proposed instrument would leave them open to all sorts of homocide claims
Therefore silly manufacturers sell the instrument minus the human bit and leave it to the user to take the risk

This senseless answer is in response to a duff question posed

How can constructive answers about conformity be given about a tool having the potential for injury

 

[Brightspark2]

Although this type of neon screwdriver you dont touch the end, it still lies to you...but you dont have to put your body on the line

MAGIC MULTI TESTER SCREWDRIVER FUSE VOLTAGE RANGE MAINS ELECTRIC TEST | eBay

Look this ones magic too...

Im not recommend them here BTW...

 

[alarm man]

neons and volt sticks are banned at our place for testing.we use the wet finger test,its more reliable,or is that liable..:freak:

 

[Richard Burns]

Lack of sufficient insulation.
Lack of finger barriers.
Excessive bare metal exposed (more than 4mm)
Lack of safety signage (maximum voltage,
Lack of protection from a fuse.

Would this be correct?

It is also recommended that any device for testing voltage should be a 2pole tester with sufficiently long leads. The neon screwdriver is only testing the PD between the item tested and earth.
Therefore you cannot check for instance L-N pd.

 

[Paul.M]

The three golden rules you use for neon screwdriver testers.

1. Find one in your new set of drivers.

2. Take it out and use it to stir your cuppa tea.

3. Throw it away with the tea bag.

 

[D80]

The three golden rules you use for neon screwdriver testers.

1. Find one in your new set of drivers.

2. Take it out and use it to stir your cuppa tea.

3. Throw it away with the tea bag.

Great advice, got 2 sets of Wera drivers, both missing 1 item.

Was on a big factory job in Histon and the main electrical engineer of the factory was chucking a few of the neon drivers over the fence:army:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Great advice, got 2 sets of Wera drivers, both missing 1 item.

Was on a big factory job in Histon and the main electrical engineer of the factory was chucking a few of the neon drivers over the fence:army:

best place for em......its about time that these manufacturers of VDE drivers...wera, CK, etc..their all at it......its about time that they stopped putting these things in with the sets of drivers they sell claiming `its a bonus item`.....like some sort of stocking filler or something.....

 

[Marvo]

I agree, I've never understood why serious screwdriver manufacturers think it's a good idea to include one of these deathtraps in their boxed sets. I would rather they gave away a wallet or even a branded flashlight or something.