Other than the usual neon type people mean by screwdriver testers.Other than what?
These
Other than the usual neon type people mean by screwdriver testers.Other than what?
What's the difference?Other than the usual neon type people mean by screwdriver testers. These ...
Neon screwdrivers are pretty useless, but they're better than trying to judge a voltage by the strength of the 'tingle', or asking your father to do the same.About that "tingle"... Well, I can give you something to compare it to now.
A neon screwdriver / voltage tester. When it's on a Live wire and glowing, move your finger around on the contact on the end.. that buzz/tingle, is exactly what I was feeling on the metal faceplate and backbox which had this unconnected earth wire loose in the ceiling. It can only be capacitive coupling can't it? It wasn't connected to anything, but had the live / switched running alongside it.
How do they work? - they presumably must rely on some capacitive coupling to earth (from one end, but not the other end, of the neon), even if not via a human body?The difference is you don't have to touch the end for live tests - you don't even have to hold it at all.
Neon screwdrivers are pretty useless, but they're better than trying to judge a voltage by the strength of the 'tingle', or asking your father to do the same.
It depends upon how you're feeling it. I know that the mechanism is different, but try putting your tongue onto the two terminals of a 9V battery - even a 1.5V one might produce some sensation!I'm just saying there was something there. I always thought about 50v was the smallest I'd be able to feel
It depends upon how you're feeling it. I know that the mechanism is different, but try putting your tongue onto the two terminals of a 9V battery - even a 1.5V one might produce some sensation!
Kind Regards, John
How do they work? - they presumably must rely on some capacitive coupling to earth (from one end, but not the other end, of the neon), even if not via a human body?
Kind Regards, John
I've no idea.How do they work?
- they presumably must rely on some capacitive coupling to earth (from one end, but not the other end, of the neon), even if not via a human body?
If you can feel a tingle, there's a problem that needs fixing.I'm just saying there was something there. I always thought about 50v was the smallest I'd be able to feel
The battery doesn't really make any difference (to what we're talking about) - there's still a need to get a capacitive 'connection' to earth.I've no idea. They have a battery in them, if that is any help.
No, you don't.As I suspected, your statement that "you don't have to hold it at all" is not correct. You do have to hold it
Interesting. The instructions say to 'hold it by the insulated handle'.No, you don't.
Well they would, as opposed to touching the end.Interesting. The instructions say to 'hold it by the insulated handle'.
Yes.Are you saying that if you somehow connect the tip of the device to something live, without personally being anywhere near it, the LED will light?
Yes. (not a very good picture)If that is the case, then I'm obviously wrong,
I don't know how it works.but I would not have thought that there would be enough capacitance from the device itself to earth for it to work.
Possibly - as it is also a non-contact detector when holding the tip (or touching the other end) - but then, don't use it for anything hazardous.If it is that 'sensitive', then one might expect that, particularly when it was being held, it would be very susceptible to lighting up by virtue of 'stray voltages'. Is that your experience?
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