Which voltage tester?

[Teddy Lop]

Had one of those Toolstation efforts; fine for what it is but just felt a bit toy like and clunky compared to say a combivolt 2.

 

[Pauls0212]

2100-GAMMA | Beha-Amprobe

www.beha-amprobe.com

this is what Im using and very happy with it.

 

[Midwest]

When I was an apprentice, I had the legendary Drummond tester. However it was easy to the break the lamp , even the rough service ones. Which happened at a job me and the electrician were at. We were stood there, seeing how we could prove a bunch of DB’s dead, with no replacement lamp. Along came the senior electrician. We explained our predicament. No problem he said. Got his index finger ready, then said, that’s dead, that’s dead, that’s uggghhh that’s live, that’s live, that’s dead …………..I’ve told this story before, but still shocks me today (see what I did there).

 

[pc1966]

Yes, in the olden days the proving of the tester before/after checks was really critical for that reason, but the reliability of LED indicators has the down-side that folks tend to assume they never break, which is a really bad thing to do!

I see the TIS one claims to be "self proving" or something, I am quite sceptical of that. Sure you can check the LEDs like and continuity is showing it, and that is a damn sight better than nothing, but I would be very weary of trusting that self-check options are really verifying the live path is correct to the point I would trust my life (or others) on that alone.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I have the Fluke T 150 and I do like it, but the resistance measurement function is tricky and a bit of a gimmick, U feel, though the continuity function with buzzer is useful. Basically, I like it simply for proving dead. I had mine replaced under the recenr recall where there was a problem with the leads. That didn't inspire confidence...but I presume the new version they sent me will have that problem well sorted.
I didn't get the matching Fluke proving unit though, I preferred the Megger one and found it at a very good price on a "deal" from one of our sponsors.

I sent back the T130 and got the T150, specifically so it would give an actual figure for resistance.

You're right, it does feel a bit gimmicky. It seems to take a few seconds to work and when it does the figure fluctuates greatly. I didn't expect that with a good brand like Fluke. I will do the same as you and probably use it solely/mainly for proving dead.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Yes, in the olden days the proving of the tester before/after checks was really critical for that reason, but the reliability of LED indicators has the down-side that folks tend to assume they never break, which is a really bad thing to do!

I see the TIS one claims to be "self proving" or something, I am quite sceptical of that. Sure you can check the LEDs like and continuity is showing it, and that is a damn sight better than nothing, but I would be very weary of trusting that self-check options are really verifying the live path is correct to the point I would trust my life (or others) on that alone.

The T150 instructions state it has a 'self test'.... great

It tells you what to do on the instrument, all the lights flash showing you it's working, it then ends the 'self test' instructions by saying 'and then test on a known voltage, such as a socket'!

 

[LastManOnline]

2100-GAMMA | Beha-Amprobe

www.beha-amprobe.com

this is what Im using and very happy with it.

I have always been a Beha-amprobe fan.Was planning to get the gamma too but production was delayed.Bought a fluke T6 1000 Pro instead.Must say it is a good bit of kit and has a robust feel to it.Been able to fix one probe and having a light on the screen are really practical additions.The NCV function which does,nt just confirm presence of power but gives a voltage reading is a bit of a luxury but I have encountered situations where it can be a real "get out of jail" card and for me it was worth the extra expense

 

[Pauls0212]

I have always been a Beha-amprobe fan.Was planning to get the gamma too but production was delayed.Bought a fluke T6 1000 Pro instead.Must say it is a good bit of kit and has a robust feel to it.Been able to fix one probe and having a light on the screen are really practical additions.The NCV function which does,nt just confirm presence of power but gives a voltage reading is a bit of a luxury but I have encountered situations where it can be a real "get out of jail" card and for me it was worth the extra expense

the ncv on the gamma is useless.... think it picks itself up

 

[LastManOnline]

the ncv on the gamma is useless.... think it picks itself upa lot of critical reviews

Read a lot of critical reviews about the same feature on the Fluke.And to be fair they were not without justification.The issue lies with the earth contact at the back of the tester.It won't work accurately if you are up in an attic or standing on a well insulated floor.However (with the Fluke at least) if you can get one probe on to a neutral or earth then the voltage readings from the ncv sensor are really quite accurate.However ,they oversold this feature and promised something they could,nt deliver.I,m personally still happy with this tester overall.