Socket testers, false sense of safety, or actually useful?

[crystal ball]

Indeed - but I suppose some would say that such a device should not be relied upon as a 'test for dead'.

Of course, although one place I visit has a display counter with narrow shelves containing sockets, only big enough to get one arm in, needs must

 

[JohnW2]

Of course, although one place I visit has a display counter with narrow shelves containing sockets, only big enough to get one arm in, needs must

Agreed.

 

[ericmark]

I will admit the being able to step back from a panel, seems only in theory, and in practice does not happen, but where a socket is only just accessible, then the tester needs to be on a lead. So this type of tester with a lead set is far easier to read than a tester where its location is fixed by socket position.

I know about lugging ones tools up/down ladders, but there were no 13 amp sockets, 16 amp 110 volt yes, but on site we did not have 13 amp sockets, but anything which makes a noise, easy to hear when correct circuit turned off. But to isolate, in the main, had to turn off a whole batch of circuits anyway, today we are seeing RCBO's which are double pole, but not sure that helps.

My clamp-on has non-contact volts, so can test not only the neutral turned off, but the plug in tester will not, as far as I know, show if only neutral turned off, but maybe I am wrong, as never used one?

 

[JohnW2]

... but the plug in tester will not, as far as I know, show if only neutral turned off, but maybe I am wrong, as never used one?

I don't think I've ever seen a 'socket tester', even a very cheap one, which does not detect "no/missing neutral" (provide, of course, that there is an earth). This one costs £7.99 from TLC ...

 

[ebee]

I don't think I've ever seen a 'socket tester', even a very cheap one, which does not detect "no/missing neutral" (provide, of course, that there is an earth). This one costs £7.99 from TLC ...
View attachment 380511

Yup. even the DIY Neon version made up one I described will glow providing it has a "L" and either a "N" or an "E" or both,

(I put L, N, E in inverted commas because they might not be truly L N E but voltages similarly spaced out as such so long as you have at least two opposing voltages in there it will glow)

 

[ericmark]

I seem to remember when dads new boiler was fitted, seeing one of them used, and he got a satisfactory result, later I came to test the supply, bonded yes, but the earth loop impedance so high it could be said basic no earth, I would assume it had been the water pipe, but plastic pipes in the street had removed the earth.

Yes, a meter line to earth showed 230 volts, but the earth was not good enough to blow even a 13 amp fuse. And no RCD fitted.