Most reliable pen tester???

Guest112 · Jan 24, 2013

youngspark said:
fluke LDV2 sounds amazing!!! Gonna get one right now

I personally wouldn't recommend them, I had the first model with the switch at the end of the tester and the switch broke and had to be held down condstantly, wasn't bothered when I lost that one, then i had the newer model the shorter one, they both had the same problem of being over sensitive touch it to a wall with no power in it and it will turn blue then with cables bunched together it goes mental,

I would recommend the one that someone put a picture up of, bombproof and reliable with accurate indication

I mainly use mine on inspection and testing for counting up points on a circuit and I wouldn't be without one

ATB

Heisenberg · Jan 24, 2013

timbobelfast said:
Personally wouldn't have one near me. I asked my american friend one day to fetch me the approved voltage indicator that we had been issued, and when he returned with the 'Fluke magic wand' I bounced it of his head!
IMO these things should not be relied upon in any shape or form.

I'm with Timbo on this one. I don't own one, never have done, and don't intend to start now.

Everyone says they would never use one as part of a safe isolation procedure, but as long as you have one in your possession, there is always the possibility it might get used in such a manner.

Just like that other disaster waiting to happen, the 'neon screwdriver', it should be consigned to the bin. Or if you can't bring yourself to do that, take the batteries out and use it to stir tea.

MDJ · Jan 24, 2013

agreed about them being no good at all, however if you do use one have 2 together, usually one will work haha

markc123 · Jan 24, 2013

I got a free pen tester with my Fluke t5-1000 ....not sure where it is now + i never used it.

Unfortunatley, on this occasion i have to disagree with the mr.shagbite im afraid, sorry buddy...they're the devils tool lol.

Guest112 · Jan 24, 2013

they're only bad things to own if they are used inappropriately, if you can't trust yourself to own one just incase you use it for safe isolation then that's not the testers fault is it?

for what they are they are useful so don't get put off getting one,

amlu · Jan 24, 2013

i got a clarke one
i know its not fluke or megger but it does the job. continuity (with buzzer function too), voltage - a proper voltage display, not just two leds (helps detects some "weird" voltages sometimes, like 80v on a shared neutral etc).
got it for 2 years and it still works, 30 quid in machine mart.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Most reliable pen tester???

shagbite · Jan 24, 2013

markc123 said:
I got a free pen tester with my Fluke t5-1000 ....not sure where it is now + i never used it.

Unfortunatley, on this occasion

i have to disagree with the mr.shagbite

Click to expand...

im afraid, sorry buddy...they're the devils tool lol.

how dare you?? you won't be getting anymore 'likes' from me, mi'lad.

seriously though mate, it's each to his own. i'm not going to sit here trying to convert you and md round to my way of thinking. i understand people's concerns about these testers, but i find them quite handy.

don't ever disagree with me again!! hahaha.

markc123 · Jan 24, 2013

shagbite said:
how dare you?? you won't be getting anymore 'likes' from me, mi'lad.

seriously though mate, it's each to his own. i'm not going to sit here trying to convert you and md round to my way of thinking. i understand people's concerns about these testers, but i find them quite handy.

don't ever disagree with me again!! hahaha.

Sorry :sad3::bigcry:

:001_icon16::001_icon16::001_icon16: ??

:38:

malcolmsanford · Jan 24, 2013

wet the end of the protruding digit and place on end of cable ...............always reliable and don't ever need battery changes

The Author of this advise takes no responsibilty for an idjit that actually does this

Rick b · Jan 24, 2013

I also use the fluke pen tester. It's not 100% perfect. But I also use the fluke combi checks to just to make sure.
I think they are a handy tool.

markc123 · Jan 24, 2013

malcolmsanford said:
wet the end of the protruding digit and place on end of cable ...............always reliable and don't ever need battery changes

The Author of this advise takes no responsibilty for an idjit that actually does this

I ditto this! But, i have found the tip of ones 'manhood' can also do the trick. It works a treat...and it feels good.

Midwest · Jan 25, 2013

When I was serving my apprenticeship (many years ago!), myself & the electrician were sent to a school that was having concrete columns replaced, and the builders had cut through several cables & supplies. The bulb on our Drummond test lamp had broken, and we were stood there scratching our heads wondering where to get a replacement bulb. Along came the company's senior sparks, wearing a bib & brace and sports jacket & tie (with several pens in his top pocket), you know the type! 'Whats wrong? Bulbs duff on the tester! Wimps!' He lent forward with his finger pointing and touched each contact. 'That ones dead, that ones dead, oooohhh that ones live, that ones dead, ooooooohhhh that ones live'. And so he went on. Suffice to say, I never took up the practise. Perhaps it was him who invented the pen tester! :ihih:

Guest112 · Jan 25, 2013

Midwest said:
When I was serving my apprenticeship (many years ago!), myself & the electrician were sent to a school that was having concrete columns replaced, and the builders had cut through several cables & supplies. The bulb on our Drummond test lamp had broken, and we were stood there scratching our heads wondering where to get a replacement bulb. Along came the company's senior sparks, wearing a bib & brace and sports jacket & tie (with several pens in his top pocket), you know the type! 'Whats wrong? Bulbs duff on the tester! Wimps!' He lent forward with his finger pointing and touched each contact. 'That ones dead, that ones dead, oooohhh that ones live, that ones dead, ooooooohhhh that ones live'. And so he went on. Suffice to say, I never took up the practise. Perhaps it was him who invented the pen tester! :ihih:

the older sparks are great, one I used to work wuth used to lightly strike busbars to see if they were live, but he did have very dry skin on his hands and he claimed that it felt like a slight tingle....

oldtimer · Jan 25, 2013

I do rental repairs and have a Kewtech pen tester and it does the job but do I trust it no thats why I always reference it I also have a Martindale voltage tester and a Fluke 700 series multimeter.

I only use the pen on simple things like this morning a well painted light switch and a pendant tracked fault to lampholder.

Deleted member 26818 · Jan 25, 2013

I use an old Fluke magic wand.
I have never found it to give an incorrect indication, and I am more than happy with it.
If for any reason I am not happy, I will then use my fluke voltage tester.
I mostly use it to test switches, or to trace cables.
If I have a bunch of cables, and need to trace one, I'll turn off the other circuits nad follow the cable which causes my wand to light up.
When I get to the end, I'll confirm that the cable is the one I'm looking for by another method.
When testing switches, I'll hold the wand against the switch so that it lights up, then operate the switch.
If the wand still light up, I'll investigate.

Most reliable pen tester???

Guest112

Heisenberg

MDJ

markc123

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Guest112

amlu

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shagbite

markc123

-

malcolmsanford

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Rick b

markc123

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Midwest

-

Guest112

oldtimer

Deleted member 26818

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