Be warned !!! They really are dangerous !!

[Dazza1976]

As qualified electricians we all know we shouldnt use the neon screwdrivers to test if voltage is present, well the other day i learnt the hard way, and was lucky to come out unhurt.

I didnt have my approved voltage tester to hand, and being lazy and despite the warnings i decided to use my neon screwdriver to test if there was a voltage on a fused spur for an immersion heater. I put the screwdriver on the live terminal and put my thumb on the end, and before i knew it there was one almighty flash and BANG and sparks flew out almost like a fire work going off ! I **** myself and jumped back. The tip of the screwdriver had gone black and literally melted.

Amazingly i didnt get a shock out of it, but the fright was more than enough for me to vow NEVER to use one again, and i promptly threw it in the bin.

Have any of you ever had a bad experience using one ? It makes me wonder how they are allowed to sell them ?

 

[martysparky]

I would ban the glow sticks too whilst were at it, hate them almost as much as neons

Thats how I think of them, The modern neon!

 

[ukpablo]

isnt it a joke accessory for every electricians toolbox!

 

[eskimo39]

What about these? Socket & See EPF30 Professional Easy Phase Finder Details - Test4less Electrical & Gas Test Equipment Distributor does this work as a safe Neon??

 

[glenspark]

I am currently doing the 2330 at wakefield college but already have the 2392 and 17th. These `neons` are bloody dangerous in my opinion and should be banned, they are simply not acceptable for the purposes of safe isolation. Eventualy I will be running my own business and would confiscate these things from any employee of mine ...period.

 

[Golden_Boy]

Said it before, and no doubt will say it again.

They DO need to be banned. To me, it's as daft as using an uninsulated screwdriver on a live busbar.

I go through engineer's toolkits from time to time, and make no apology for removing neons, and stamping on them. Hard.

I doubt most of them are even rated insulated for use on mains voltage.

PVC insulation of less than 0.5 mm will withstand over 240 volts with no problem at all. Just look inside any television receiver. THe plastic parts of a neon tester are made from the same plastic as any other terminal type screwdriver and will withstand thousands of volts. Its the stupid neon bulb and its associated el cheepo resistor that are the dangerous parts. As for the melted end of the screwdiver.... it must have shorted out a live to earth ( or neutral ) this could have happened with even the most expensive screwdriver you could buy.

 

[Sintra]

As for the melted end of the screwdiver.... it must have shorted out a live to earth ( or neutral ) this could have happened with even the most expensive screwdriver you could buy.

You shouldn'd be putting any screwdriver onto a live terminal.

 

[Wiredspark]

I just found one of these on our gaffers desk. So I have broken it and now I'm getting grief for breaking his tools. The appreciation you get these days for saving someones life. sheeesh

 

[accordfire]

I just found one of these on our gaffers desk. So I have broken it and now I'm getting grief for breaking his tools. The appreciation you get these days for saving someones life. sheeesh

Tell him there's 50 electricians, 3991 five week wonders, and another 4000 "guests" with intelligence here who are right behind you (that way he slaps you first, see) and applaud your very wise and clever decision to have the foresight to save his life BEFORE he put it at risk again.

 

[Wiredspark]

Tell him there's 50 electricians, 3991 five week wonders, and another 4000 "guests" with intelligence here who are right behind you (that way he slaps you first, see) and applaud your very wise and clever decision to have the foresight to save his life BEFORE he put it at risk again.

lol, yeah, he's also my Da. He's also since told me he wouldn't use it in a live situation but it's good for pendants.

I couldn't care like, I wouldn't use one at all. Thats why I bought a termial driver.

 

[mayfair]

Great when working alone for identifying circuits .........never trust them to prove a dead circuit.

I would ban the glow sticks too whilst were at it, hate them almost as much as neons

 

[mayfair]

Great bit a kit use mine all day long

What about these? Socket & See EPF30 Professional Easy Phase Finder Details - Test4less Electrical & Gas Test Equipment Distributor does this work as a safe Neon??

 

[mayfair]

Bet you would let the mother in law give it a go LOL

You shouldn'd be putting any screwdriver onto a live terminal.

 

[Sintra]

Bet you would let the mother in law give it a go LOL

Plus a few others i could think of.

 

[Wiredspark]

Im not sure how that would stand in a court of law

"Here dear, go put this here thing that I would never use into that there ahem other thingy and do me a favour love take your shoes off and stand in this puddle at the same time. Now don't let go!"

 

[mayfair]

Did'nt expect you to get bloody caught FFS

Im not sure how that would stand in a court of law

"Here dear, go put this here thing that I would never use into that there ahem other thingy and do me a favour love take your shoes off and stand in this puddle at the same time. Now don't let go!"