Confusing odd situation!

[potato80]

Hi all.

Is there any reason my voltage tester pen would continue to give me positive readings from all the sockets on a particular ring, despite me switching the whole ring off, checking with a multimeter, and double-checking by plugging appliances into the sockets?

Ring is off at circuit...

Appliances don't work in the sockets...

Multimeter is reading 0 across all sockets...

But the tester pen is nevertheless altering me to the presence of... something!?

Any help much appreciated!

 

[conny]

Throw the pen away and get a proper, 2 lead, test meter. Pens and 'non-touch' testers can pick up extraneous sources.
Nothing beats a proper test meter used correctly.

 

[potato80]

Throw the pen away and get a proper, 2 lead, test meter. Pens and 'non-touch' testers can pick up extraneous sources.
Nothing beats a proper test meter used correctly.

Multimeter is reading 0, too....

 

[EFLImpudence]

But the tester pen is still altering me to the presence of a current

As Conny says, plus:

The 'pens' measure Voltage; not current. Perhaps a few Volts in the wires.

Ring is off at circuit

The ring is the circuit; what have you turned off?

 

[ericmark]

My non contact voltage tester does some times show one bar and a little of a buzz when the circuit is off, they only give an indication that there may be voltage, they are not 100% with no leads used, the current non contact is better, but AC works better than DC, with DC the angle of the tester can change the result, it needs zeroing.

There are different quality of testers, both with and without leads, the one I have is one of the cheapest, only cost around £35, but once the device is opened I will retest with leads.

Throw the pen away

That is silly, for a pair of leads to work, you need a reference point, the non contact tester uses your body as a reference point, same with neon screwdriver, they will likely save you where there is a borrowed neutral, yes we should put the clamps around the wire before disconnecting, but that is also non contact testing.

The tester I show does have 4 levels, you can see the 4 bars, where some very cheap either light or don't light, and the reed switch in them is easy damaged, hence testing by rubbing on your cloths, they will light with a little static.

So if wearing nylon very likely it will light with any earthed point, as you are charged.

 

[SUNRAY]

Throw the pen away and get a proper, 2 lead, test meter.

I get annoyed at these regular statements.
Such devices have their uses, I carry neon and LED screwdrivers in most of my toolkits and in some of the work I do are an absolute godsend to my safety. The LED screwdriver is my most frequently used tester when faultfinding in control panels.

People come on here for advice, let's advise on how to use/what to expect rather than 'get proper test gear'

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Throw the pen away and get a proper, 2 lead, test meter. Pens and 'non-touch' testers can pick up extraneous sources.
Nothing beats a proper test meter used correctly.

I bought one, just as soon as they appeared, to satisfy my curiosity. Some work better than other's - Fluke being one of the better ones, of which I have several, and I find in the right hands - they are indispensable.

Regarding the OP's problem, if the tester only lights in the proximity of his sockets, with the supply off...

It is a cause for real concern. The OP should try to work out which of the L, N, or E is causing it to respond. If both L and N are isolated, then it could me there is a borrowed neutral. Alternatively, it also could mean there is no earth.

The OP should also use his meter, with one pole connected to a definite earth and report what he records connected to L, then N, then the E of his sockets.

 

[chivers67]

I use Non contact volt stick as part of a RAMS to check that metal Highways Power cabinets aren't live.

 

[crystal ball]

I find my volt stick indispensable at times, its a valuable part of my testing armoury

 

[crystal ball]

My non contact voltage tester View attachment 293245 does some times show one bar and a little of a buzz when the circuit is off, they only give an indication that there may be voltage, they are not 100% with no leads used, the current non contact is better, but AC works better than DC, with DC the angle of the tester can change the result, it needs zeroing.

There are different quality of testers, both with and without leads, the one I have is one of the cheapest, only cost around £35, but once the device is opened I will retest with leads.


That is silly, for a pair of leads to work, you need a reference point, the non contact tester uses your body as a reference point, same with neon screwdriver, they will likely save you where there is a borrowed neutral, yes we should put the clamps around the wire before disconnecting, but that is also non contact testing.

The tester I show does have 4 levels, you can see the 4 bars, where some very cheap either light or don't light, and the reed switch in them is easy damaged, hence testing by rubbing on your cloths, they will light with a little static.

So if wearing nylon very likely it will light with any earthed point, as you are charged.

My voltstick works in free air, no body contact

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My voltstick works in free air, no body contact

Correct, they detect the 50Hz field, no current flow needed. You can simply place one near a live conductor, walk away, and it will continue to indicate live.

 

[CBW]

Have a read of this

 

[davelx]

They need to make gas meter fitters read that!

 

[sparkwright]

Hi all.

Is there any reason my voltage tester pen would continue to give me positive readings from all the sockets on a particular ring, despite me switching the whole ring off, checking with a multimeter, and double-checking by plugging appliances into the sockets?

Ring is off at circuit...

Appliances don't work in the sockets...

Multimeter is reading 0 across all sockets...

But the tester pen is nevertheless altering me to the presence of... something!?

Any help much appreciated!

Turn the main switch OFF, you shouldn't get any false readings from your voltage pen, then.

 

[SUNRAY]

Depending on the circumstances the 'earth' the body is presenting may be at some elevated potential, I've had this in a wetroom , the guys second fixing were using voltsticks and finding everything including the water in the WC when flushed was apparently live they walked away. In reallity none of the wiring was terminated but voltsticks showed it live. Testing from the floor MET all the metal water pipes, conduit, etc were bonded. Testing for dead showed everthing to be dead and insulating tests on the firstfixed wiring showed as open circuite. We found no sensation of any tingles etc as we completed the job. Somehow the floor under the floor covering was wet and become live.

There was a TV program where a camera crew were with a police duty who escorted inspectors (might be the wrong term but I hope makes sense) into a shop where electricity theft was suspected. That footage did not make it into the series as the defendants in court used it as evidence the inspectors hadn't actually tested the supply with any creditable test kit. A tiny clip from it made it onto local news.
The funny thing is a similar thing did appear ov TV of a pub (I think in essex but won't put any argument behind it) and the only testing we saw was also done with a voltstick, that was successfully prosecuted but we didn't know what other evidence was gathered.