Voltage Detector indicating phase?

Clark3169 · Oct 4, 2012

Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum and I am new to electrics. I have recently gained some qualifications and now I am trying to gain some real world experience. My first question is a simple one. When I use my voltage indicator if there is voltage across two conductors it beeps away at me and the lights, light up to say how much voltage there is, usually 230v of course. When there is no voltage it is silent with no lights. However sometimes it makes a different bleep and this is to indicate phase. Could someone explain to me what this is?

Thank you in advance.

Paul.M · Oct 4, 2012

Welcome to the forum first of all.

With any test equipment you need to fully understand how it functions and what the results are and what they mean. Sorry to say if but if your anything like me you dont like reading the instructions? You must read them and find out what that bleep means. Without knowing what make and model you have I can only guess that its picking up continuity if its making a different sound/bleep. Thats what mine doe anyway but it could also mean something else, look at the instructions to find out.

Clark3169 · Oct 4, 2012

Hi there, yes I looked at the instructions and it's not continuity thats a different sound & light, its not voltage it is "phase indication" as it states in the manual. Just wondering what that means exactly. Here is the tester I am using. Martindale VT12 Voltage Tester. Thanks for your reply.

Paul.M · Oct 4, 2012

Sounds like your picking up residual current on one of your lines. What are you testing and is it off?

Clark3169 · Oct 4, 2012

The last time I heard it I was testing a socket that I was working on. I had turned off the MCB and the voltage was gone but I got the phase indicator LED and the buzzing sound instead.

Paul.M · Oct 4, 2012

And at this stage I would get out the mft and check for the actual current running through those conductors mate, there is something there. May only be a few volts but you need to find out. Borrowed neutral springs to mind straight away.