Non Contact Voltage Detector

[Steevo]

I've got a standard non-contact voltage detector for identifying whether standard cables are live. Is it possible to get one that will work with armoured cable too?

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I very much doubt it, use your tester, so much safer.

 

[acat]

Hi

B & Q do a tester for about a tenner you can decide what you are looking for ie metal,volt & stud, dont know if it will work on SWA cant see a reason why it shouldnt.

I set it to volt and held against metal objects with no alert so that should bypass the SWA for you and detect the actual cable.

Hope it helps

Chris

 

[scotsparky]

Stevo these non contact testers can be very handy for INDICATION only dont trust them completly. Use your test lamps and proving unit before touching terminals

 

[Steevo]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not an electrician so there's no way I'd even think about going near the terminals when they're live anyway, hence why I bought a non-contact detector after seeing my electrician using one a few years back and thinking it was a great tool.

I'm a farmer and recently I've had several instances where it would be helpful to be able to trace whether a cable is live or not around the yard in order to pinpoint where a problem lies to check I've ruled out the obvious before having to call out the electrician. Being as the electric circuits are somewhat complicated around the yard, when I do call out the electrician at least I'd have a rough idea of describing the situation to him.

 

[Spudnik]

As above really,

Good for checking for cables that are live but if they show dead then this MUST be proved by means of a proper voltage tester.

 

[Steevo]

As above really,

Good for checking for cables that are live but if they show dead then this MUST be proved by means of a proper voltage tester.

Thanks Jason, I totally agree. As before, I wouldn't even contemplate opening up a wire - that's a job for a properly trained electrician.

If I end up with a socket not working though, it's generally helpful to be able to trace it back to where I can find electric just in case there's a switch turned off halfway along the line that I don't know about.

Anyone know if such a tool would exist for armoured cable?

 

[Wotsit]

I think they should be banned. If they illuminate you know its live if the do not you know it might be dead or it might be live. Then possibly it might have lit up in the first place just because you moved it towards the cable to quickly so it might not be live.

 

[Spudnik]

I think they should be banned. If they illuminate you know its live if the do not you know it might be dead or it might be live. Then possibly it might have lit up in the first place just because you moved it towards the cable to quickly so it might not be live.

Thats a little harsh i think.

Nobody has said they were good for proving dead.

They are merely used as an indicator.

However, there is no substitute for safe isolation.

 

[sparkysean]

I don't think any tool should be used unless they are exposed to the actual live conducter, it's not legal and it's not safe. Voltage/current/ or a current circuit shouls ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be tested with proper equipment, like fluke for example

 

[scotsparky]

Stevo these non contact testers can be very handy for INDICATION only dont trust them completly. Use your test lamps and proving unit before touching terminals

I think what i said in fourth post covers everything????

 

[Steevo]

Looks like I shouldn't have asked this question.

 

[scotsparky]

Steevo its a fact of life when you get 4 sparks in a room to do a job ther is 4 different ways to do it. If you ask a question in forum for an opinion you will get a lot of answers. If you read the answers they are all saying basically the same thing which is

Non contact voltage detectors can me good as an indication only if used correctly. However before you start work Prove everything is dead with proper Voltage detectors such as these

Martindale Electric - Voltage Testers - Safety Voltage Tester & Proving Unit Package - VIPD