Analog voltage tester?

[HappyHippyDad]

Could anyone give me a link or tell me were to get an analog voltage tester?

Just want to be prepared for phantom voltage!

Cheers all :smile5:

 

[telectrix]

you'd put the resistor in parallel with the leads. that would then drain phantom voltage that the dmm won't.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Thanks all for the advice.

I have decided to go for the Drummond mtl20! Thanks Handy Sparks :smile5:

 

[happysteve]

you'd put the resistor in parallel with the leads. that would then drain phantom voltage that the dmm won't.

Spot on

You'll have a job doing this and still having a "safe" instrument/set of leads. Could probably do it with a plug-in box - but it's a lot of work when you could buy a Drummond

 

[davesparks]

Any approved voltage indicator (AVI) should differentiate between a ghost and a real voltage.

 

[happysteve]

Any approved voltage indicator (AVI) should differentiate between a ghost and a real voltage.

I'd love to believe this. The input impedance of my Martindale isn't quoted, but the manual says, "Test current: <3.5mA at 600V" which implies an input impedance of at least 170k. Not the 1M (or even 10M) of a DMM, but pretty close. The Drummond also pulls "<3.5mA" unless you press the button, in which case it will draw "28mA @ 240V AC, 60mA @ 500V AC."... Zin ~ 8k. Fluke's Lo-Z function is "about 3k" (according to Fluke literature).

Also, I have a Dilog voltage indicator, it bleeps and warbles and lights up like a Christmas tree when touching anything conductive vaguely close to something that might be energised. (Which is why I bought the Martindale).

So, although not doubting what you say, I am left a little confused!

 

[davesparks]

I'd love to believe this. The input impedance of my Martindale isn't quoted, but the manual says, "Test current: <3.5mA at 600V" which implies an input impedance of at least 170k. Not the 1M (or even 10M) of a DMM, but pretty close. The Drummond also pulls "<3.5mA" unless you press the button, in which case it will draw "28mA @ 240V AC, 60mA @ 500V AC."... Zin ~ 8k. Fluke's Lo-Z function is "about 3k" (according to Fluke literature).

Also, I have a Dilog voltage indicator, it bleeps and warbles and lights up like a Christmas tree when touching anything conductive vaguely close to something that might be energised. (Which is why I bought the Martindale).

So, although not doubting what you say, I am left a little confused!

Which dilog AVI are you using? I have always used the combivolt ones and they show a clear different result when detecting real and ghost voltages.

I agree the noises can be the same but if it is real then the red LEDs illuminate up to the nominal voltage present, wheras ghosts only light the single red LED.

As with any test equipment you have to learn to use it correctly and how to interpret the readings.

 

[happysteve]

Which dilog AVI are you using? I have always used the combivolt ones

Yep, that's the chicken. (Well, combivolt twos...)

As with any test equipment you have to learn to use it correctly and how to interpret the readings.

Well that's me told. Guess I've got some more learning to do.

Cheers.