No more neon testers sold?

[bw77]

I was in Home Depot today looking for a neon tester, the kind that has 2 leads and a light that indicates voltage is present. Could not find one. They had 3 or 4 non-contact voltage testers, several multimeters, and a few voltage testers. But no simple neon testers.

Are these no longer sold or used?

 

[hifi_hokie]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Definitely still available.

 

[boiler7904]

Not completely up on my electrical tool lingo. By neon tester, are you talking about one of these?

Sperry Tester

Gardner Bender Tester

If so, I've seen them on the end caps of the electrical section near the tape rack and mixed in with the other electrical tools.


Edit: Hifi hokie found them and posted as I was copying in the links.

 

[ddawg16]

What your talking about is a simple neon bulb connected to two test leads....when you put it across any voltage source that is about 70V or higher, it lights the buld.

While simple, those things can still get you hurt. You can have a ground loop that won't light the bulb....but can light up your *** if you grab it.

I still prefer the good old fashioned volt meter....if you want something that does not require batteries....get a cheap analog meter type.

I keep with me the non-contact type...Fluke to be exact....it tells me when there is AC voltage on a wire....works well when you have a bundle of wires and you don't have access to the ends.

 

[boydgti]

I only buy Fluke testers and meters, they might be a little more expensive but u get what u pay for

 

[madjack]

Go with the best, Fluke. You'll never be sorry you bought the good stuff.

 

[rodm1]

Go with the best, Fluke. You'll never be sorry you bought the good stuff.

Since they moved to china there quality has declined to the point they are just another meter company to me.

 

[bw77]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll pass on the neon tester and get a volt tick.

 

[MrMark]

What is the ground loop that can light up your *** after testing with a neon tester?

 

[hifi_hokie]

Granted, I own a Fluke meter, but I think recommending a Fluke DMM when someone's asking for a test light is like recommending a Ferrari to get groceries Very different purposes...each has their place.

Since they moved to china there quality has declined to the point they are just another meter company to me.

Not all of their products are made in China.

 

[Joe92GT]

Since they moved to china there quality has declined to the point they are just another meter company to me.

Have you have bad quality products from fluke? Are you referring to the cheap stuff you find in sears or other places?

We used to be a fluke dealer, and still know many dealers and calibration shops. The real fluke meters are just as good as ever. The 78, 87 series, ect. But you will pay for them.

Most of the circuit boards have probably been produced in chine for the last 10 years anyway.

 

[ddawg16]

My fluke still works after being droped about 10'. And I trust it before I would trust a lot of other meters.....

I have the Fluke 179....besides voltage...does temp and freq...

And if you have it on ohms and forget and then connect it to 480VAC....it does not smoke the meter....just beeps at you...you flip the mode switch and keep going....do that with a cheapy....

 

[mrb]

What is the ground loop that can light up your *** after testing with a neon tester?

maybe hes referring to a neutral which wont indicate on the tick tracer, but will shock you when you open it.

 

[ddawg16]

maybe hes referring to a neutral which wont indicate on the tick tracer, but will shock you when you open it.

Basically correct....

My basic complaint with neon testers is that they don't show actual voltage...

I have been lit up to many times because someone got the hots and neutrals swapped.

 

[MrMark]

maybe hes referring to a neutral which wont indicate on the tick tracer, but will shock you when you open it.

Yeah, it's at or around 0 volts ac. Well, as you well know the only way to test for that is with a current clamp. After your episode of getting shocked from a flex conduit serving as a return path, I clamp any conduit (or water pipe) before I mess with it.