What Non-contact Voltage Detector is recommended?

[Autechre]

Hi,

I'm replacing some ceiling pendants and need a non-contact voltage detector for added peace of mind.

What do people recommend? Prices seem to vary from £5 to £25.

Cheers.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I would always recommend a two pole/probe voltage indicator with a proving unit, for safe isolation purposes.
If I was pushed for the use of a voltage stick, to determine live conductors, I would chose a Fluke LVD2 Voltage Detector.

 

[Monkeh]

Hi,

I'm replacing some ceiling pendants and need a non-contact voltage detector for added peace of mind.

What do people recommend? Prices seem to vary from £5 to £25.

Cheers.

If you think a non-contact detector is sufficient to give you peace of mind, you need to reconsider doing electrical work..

You cannot rely on these devices. Use a two pole tester and test all conductors to each other and earth, or you cannot be sure.

 

[Stoday]

A non-contact voltage detector will only tell you if is probably live; it will not tell you if it is definitely dead.

You won't get any added peace of mind from it.

 

[ebee]

Use an approved tester and test to earth.
It's the only way.

Use a Fluke as a back up if you like and use it to test for live only NEVER as a test for dead

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[Stoday]

If you turn off the main isolator, then you can't check that your tester will work on touching a live conductor.

The check should be:
1) check the tester's working with a live point
2) test the work to check that it's not live
3) check the tester's still working with a live.
4) only now can you conclude that the work is dead.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

If you turn off the main isolator, then you can't check that your tester will work on touching a live conductor.

You can using a proving unit

The check should be:
1) check the tester's working with a live point
2) test the work to check that it's not live
3) check the tester's still working with a live.
4) only now can you conclude that the work is dead.

What if someone decided to turn the power back on to the circuit, while your are busy at work?

 

[holmslaw]

..