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What is a Non-Contact Voltage Tester and Do You Need One?
The post What is a Non-Contact Voltage Tester and Do You Need One? appeared first on Homedit.
Do you know what a non-contact voltage tester is? Do it yourself (DIY) projects can be a lot of fun, but they can also be scary and downright dangerous if you don’t have the right tools or knowledge before you start. Take projects involving electrical work, for example, you don’t want to just start taking…
Both testers have a high-impact resistant ABS body with rubber grips and are rated for 10-foot drops and 250-pound crushing weight.
Customer Choice – Fluke VoltAlert 1AC-II Volt Non-Contact Voltage Tester
The Auroland tester boasts durable construction and is powered by two AAA batteries. An integrated power-off function senses when the tester is not in use and shuts it off to conserve battery life. And a battery status indicator lets you know when the batteries need to be replaced.
An ergonomic and compact design will give you the most comfort and be the easiest on your wrist and hands.
Top 3 Picks
Cons
The integrated nine-gear system lets you adjust the signal strength and LED digital display, and a built-in LED flashlight adds illumination to darker workspaces. This unit comes with a contactless stylus, user manual, and a 1.5 V AAA Battery.
The Fluke VoltAlert 1AC-II Volt Non-Contact Voltage Tester has a detection range from 90 to 1000 V AC and a CAT IV 1000 V rating for extra function and safety.
It’s a tool that everyone should have in their electrical tool kit. A non-contact voltage tester (also known as an electric tester pen, or voltage tester) is a tool designed to safely detect voltage in an electrical connection without the need to come into direct contact with the source. With a red or green glowing tip and a beeping sound, a non-contact voltage tester provides a quick and reliable visual and audible alert if a voltage is present.
The 40150N will not detect voltage if:
What is a Non-contact Voltage Tester?
There are two types of non-contact voltage testers – inductively coupled voltage sensors and capacitive coupled sensors. Each works in vastly different ways and is suitable for different applications.
How Do Non-contact Voltage Testers Work?
Multimeters, on the other hand, give readings for AD and DC voltage, frequency, continuity, resistance, and electrical capacitance. These devices typically consist of an LED reader and two probes.
Types of Non-contact Voltage Testers
Cons
Inductively Coupled Voltage Sensor
Pros
Capacitive Coupled Sensor
What to Look For in a Non-contact Voltage Tester
Choose a voltage tester with the ability to adjust its sensitivity to suit the application you are working on and the environment that you are in.
Cons
Voltage Range Detection
Always ensure that the voltage tester you use is rated with an official organization’s measurement category from CAT I to CAT IV.
Pros
Safety
Non-contact voltage testers have a sensor built into the tip of the tool that detects voltage when touching something like an outlet or power cord. The voltage that is detected is capacitively coupled from a live circuit to the voltage tester and back to the grounded reference, which is the person holding the tester. Once the voltage is detected, the tip of the tester will glow, and the tool will beep. Tools with dual-range functions typically have color-coded and sound-coded features that distinguish each range.
The Klein Tools NCVT-4IR Non-Contact Voltage Tester is designed for HVAC applications and has a detection range from 12 to 1000 V. It boasts an Infra-red Thermometer that can be set to Degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit and can measure from -30 to 250 degrees Celsius (-22 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sensitivity
Do you know what a non-contact voltage tester is? Do it yourself (DIY) projects can be a lot of fun, but they can also be scary and downright dangerous if you don’t have the right tools or knowledge before you start.
Functionality
This lightweight, electric tester pen indicates when voltage is detected with a beeping sound and red LED light. An integrated bi-color LED confirms the tester is operational and indicates with range is selected. The rugged design stands up to a 6-foot drop test rating and has thin probe tips specifically for wall outlets. It is powered by one AAA battery and has a built-in low battery self-test feature, so you always know if it is working.
Design
This lightweight electric tester pen indicates voltage with visual and audible prompts and has a backlit LCD. The onboard laser pointer measures temperature of a specific surface. The unit is powered by two AAA batteries and has a convenient power-off function that extends the battery life. The NCVT-4IR is water and dust-resistant and easy to store.
Capacitively coupled voltage testers measure electric field and can detect anything that acts as a dielectric material or conductive object. These voltage testers are suitable for metal or non-metal objects.
The Best Non-Contact Voltage Testers
Klein Tools NCVT-2 Voltage Tester
If the tester is in a sensitive setting, you may inadvertently pick up electrical currents from locations other than the source you are working with. These could lead to false positives and potential safety risks. Being able to adjust the tool’s sensitivity will prevent this.
The Fluke VoltAlert has the highest customer satisfaction of any tester on our list. Boasting a wide voltage detection range, superior ratings, and VoltBeat technology, it’s easy to see why this electric tester pen makes Customer’s Choice.
Pros
Best Budget – Auroland Hanmatek Non-Contact Voltage Tester
- Detects standard and low voltage,
- Excellent CAT rating,
- LED indicator light,
- Auto-off feature.
- Two tools provide more versatility,
- Self-test battery check feature,
- Extremely durable.
- Dual range,
- Dustproof and water-resistant,
- Self-test feature,
- Additional safety features,
- More features than others on our list.
- Great for HVAC applications
- Infra-Red Thermometer
- Power-off function
- Water resistant
- Dual detection range,
- Color and sound coded,
- Power off function
- Battery status indicator
- Adjustable signal strength
- Only detects AC.
FAQ
Are Non-contact Voltage Testers Safe to Use?
The VoltAlert 1AC-II runs on two AAA batteries which are included.
How Do I Know If the Tester is Functioning?
The high voltage range should be 48 V to 1000 V, while the low voltage range should be 12 V to 48 V.
CAT IV is considered the highest safety classification.
Is a Voltage Tester the Same as a Multimeter?
The Auroland Hanmatek Non-Contact Voltage Tester is equipped with two detection ranges – 12 – 1000 V and 90 – 1000 V.
The Southwire 40150N Advanced Dual-Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester has two detection ranges – 12 to 1000 V and 100 to 1000 V and an IP67 rating making it dustproof and water-resistant.
Conclusion
This lightweight tester is equipped with a powerful green LED indicator light that lets you know the tester is functioning properly and adds illumination to dimmer work areas. A flashing red light and one of two different warning sounds alert you to the detection of either standard or low voltage.
Most non-contact voltage testers are equipped with self-testing functions that give you a constant display of how much battery life is left. This function allows you to know if the tester is working prior to performing a test.
Non-contact voltage testers can come with a range of features that impact their function and usefulness in different applications. Some of these features include battery-check function, LED flashlights, laser pointers, and shirt clips. The more features your chosen voltage tester has, the more functional it will be.
