Socket & See tester

[Dannydandan]

Evening,

I use a Socket & See tester instrument to provide a means of confirming safe isolation before working on boilers.

Can anyone explain why I am required to press the touch pad at the bottom of the test instrument in order for it to perform a polarity test?

I understand what polarity is and why I'm testing it, but I don't understand what the significance of this pad is i.e., what does me pressing the pad actually do to the test instrument?

I've asked colleagues and trainers but no one can answer this question!

Many thanks,

Dan

 

[HandySparks]

Sounds like it works in a similar manner to a neon screwdriver.

Yes. Without driving an independent earth rod into the ground, I don't see that there's any other way to prove the incoming supply polarity on a TN-C-S system.

 

[PEG]

Sounds like it works in a similar manner to a neon screwdriver.

Yep,you can get them brighter,at the end of a hard,sweaty day...

The previous Megger TP voltage tester,had a touch pad,at the rear of the handle,which is omitted on the new model.

The voltage <than,>than,seems superfluous,as <203 or >253 could be a problem,or installations where no problem has been noticed.