Why did my voltage tester just explode?

[Jeansie]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And I appreciate that I probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. I was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so I was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so I can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (I was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before I wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, I thought I'd check it was actually wired in)

I will let you know what he says!

 

[ipf]

apologies if i should't have asked why it happened...i just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And i appreciate that i probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. i was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so i was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so i can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (i was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before i wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, i thought i'd check it was actually wired in)

i will let you know what he says!

Curiosity killed the cat, could have been more in this instance.

 

[Steve_P]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

I don't think anyone can blame you for asking that question, personally the worry was you and the screwdriver :wink_smile:

 

[brman]

Apologies if I should't have asked why it happened...I just didn't want to leave it if something was inherently unsafe in the house (other than the combination of me and a screwdriver).

And I appreciate that I probably shoudn't have been trying to work out what was going on myself in the first place. I was just curious as to why we have these switches that apparently aren't doing anything [so I was checking if they were live - again, just trying to get a handle on what it's all doing], so I can ask the spark if he knows what they were for. (I was never planning on doing the other work myself, but before I wasted someone's time getting them out here to look at it all, I thought I'd check it was actually wired in)

I will let you know what he says!

I think we would all rather you came hear and asked what was going on than carried on using the thing and got a worse result next time. At the very least you have learnt that there isn't much love for those neon screwdrivers :lol:

Absolutely nothing wrong with that in my mind

 

[applemac]

tea stirrer how dare he bring that before the cream

 

[maffa ent]

volt sticks are great, but not for proving dead. i always use mine for circuit id, a it has a loud bleep on it. lit and beeping, circuit on ( and testing the volt stick), then listen for bleep stopping, then use proper test lamp to check.

(at least that's what i preach!)

 

[MDJ]

they are great for chucking in the bin, totally unreliable and not safe for a electrician IMO

 

[i=p/u]

some say good for finding out which lamp has gone in crimbo lights, but i prfer the method that cracks you up

 

[James Sutton]

The pound shop electrical tool kit. I use one of them neon screwdrivers to clean the mud off the sole of my boots you can really get right into the grooves

 

[farmerian]

Ur a idiot for using them screwdrivers if u have any brains u wouldn't, they are dangers to everyone

 

[dim_bulb]

Bit harsh, I don't think the op was aware of the danger

 

[GLENNSPARK]

volt sticks are great, but not for proving dead. i always use mine for circuit id, a it has a loud bleep on it. lit and beeping, circuit on ( and testing the volt stick), then listen for bleep stopping, then use proper test lamp to check.

(at least that's what i preach!)

well the times i`v witnessed em bein used for safe isolation....lol....

 

[James Sutton]

Just got in from work just used my trusty neon to clean the mud off my boots. You cant beat em well work the 99p from the 99p store

 

[thekingiam]

lol, love the post why did this go bang! the neons are good for making holes in ceilings but don't use a hammer to whack them as they are only cheap plastic...........must stop doing that!tut tut.

 

[Marvo]

Ur a idiot for using them screwdrivers if u have any brains u wouldn't, they are dangers to everyone

That's an unnecessary comment. I'm sure the OP learned a valuable lesson and his question has definitely been answered.