Voltage tester, am i thinking about this too much?

[stranded]

Hi all, possibly a stupid question, but input from professionals would be appreciated.

Im looking to buy my first voltage tester, (probably fluke) and have been looking at a few.

I understand there are ones with a self test function, or without then you buy a proving unit with it.

My thought is, can you rely on the self test function itself inside the unit, or are you better to go with a proving unit then you know for sure that you are testing it properly?

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Mike.

 

[Tuttle]

I'd definitely go for a separate proving unit

 

[telectrix]

i wouldn't bother with a proving unit. test on the incomer which is still live after isolating.

 

[Norwich]

True on domestic may be. But on industrial switch gear this may not be the case also accessing a live terminal just to prove your device would be frowned upon under a permit . We have a proving unit for such times but in the real world it hardly used by any of us. Mostly for witness testing and the nic man

 

[sparkdog]

Better with a proving unit.If you are proving dead on a light or socket you don't want to be going all the way back to the incomer to prove your tester.

 

[dan86]

how can you REally trust a proving unit...

possibly another MFT to test on the basis that 2 can't be duff!

 

[Phillcbr400]

2 units can be duff, unlikely but possible, proving unit might be incorrect aswell, but where do you stop. I trust proving my tester off the live side.

 

[telectrix]

me too. how do you prove a proving unit?

 

[stranded]

I see what you mean. I personally would have a proving unit too..couldn't you test a proving unit with a multimeter? or do they not work like that?

 

[telectrix]

but then, is the multimeter OK?. how far do you go.

 

[stranded]

True, just wanted to see what you guys thought. Cheers. Do most of you use fluke?

 

[Sintra]

Using a proving unit is fail safe if done correctly. ie voltage tester should prove voltage everytime it is connected to proving unit. If it does not then either the proving unit or the voltage tester is at fault but regardless of which you would not continue.

 

[telectrix]

Using a proving unit is fail safe if done correctly. ie voltage tester should prove voltage everytime it is connected to proving unit. If it does not then either the proving unit or the voltage tester is at fault but regardless of which you would not continue.

unless, of course, the neon screwdriver says it's OK. :joker:

 

[snowhead]

unless, of course, the neon screwdriver says it's OK. :joker:

And you can always prove the neon with a voltstick.

 

[stranded]

Using a proving unit is fail safe if done correctly. ie voltage tester should prove voltage everytime it is connected to proving unit. If it does not then either the proving unit or the voltage tester is at fault but regardless of which you would not continue.

Thanks, thats true i suppose. Its either one of the other. Going to get a proving unit in that case. Thanks!