Non contact pen picking up current on water pipe

[Stephenmunt]

Non contact pen picking up current on my water pipes. I've turned off the boiler but it's not that. Found that it's the down stairs lighting. I'm starting out on electrics so medium to low experience. Is this a normal thing?

 

[Rockingit]

I use a voltstick for initial quick 'is it on there? diagnosis when dealing with stage supplies and distribution cables but that's about it and NEVER rely on one to assume that something is dead! Mine's also got a sort of course/fine selector which tends to elimate false positives but most helpfully the other end is also an LED torch which is probably the most useful thing of all about it.

 

[Lister1987]

I think GN3 recommends using a voltage stick type of tester for when investigating a broken PEN conductor , as a 2 pole tester wont work without an earth reference .

Extremely important to know the difference between a non-contact voltage deathstick and a CONTACT voltage indicated, used to investigate phenolic degradation.

Kewtech KT1700 is an example of a contact voltage indicator. Kewtech Kewstickduo is an example of a non-contact voltage indicator.