Klokwerk
Well-known member
Hi there,
I have a Klein tools ncvt-4ir and had a question about interpreting the beeps it makes when testing for AC voltage. I think I have that sorted out now but....
In my single-gang box is a Kasa wifi smart light switch (HS220) with the neutrals tied together and the grounds tied together (per their instructions too). The hot goes through the switch. Normal stuff.
I check the neutral and grounds no beeps. Good.
But the hots, when the switch is open (off) I get rapid fire beeps and constant red light from the bottom of the switch and blinking red light and slow beeps from the top.
Bottom is from the panel and the top goes to the light.
So, why would I'd be getting any beeps from the wire going to the switch if it's off?
The manual says this about the beeps:
• For low voltage (12V) detection, the red light flashes slowly and beeps are generated.
• For high voltage (120V) detection, the red light remains on and continuous beeps are generated.
From this, it seems I'm detecting the 120V correctly, but I'm seeing low voltage on the wire to the light.
Doesn't sound right.
Turns out, the tester is detecting the wifi signal out of the switch when in close proximity. Like 1-2 inches away.
This makes it hard to really test for voltage coming out of the switch to the light.
Also, my light fixture is about 12 feet away from the switch and from it I'm still picking up the residual voltage with the tester.
It freaked me out thinking I had some wires crossed or something wired wrong. But I checked, rechecked, unwired, rewired and my conclusion, so far, is the wifi switch is putting out enough signal that it's triggering the tester AND it's sending that down the wire far enough to pick it up 12 feet away!
Anyone else see this?
I have a Klein tools ncvt-4ir and had a question about interpreting the beeps it makes when testing for AC voltage. I think I have that sorted out now but....
In my single-gang box is a Kasa wifi smart light switch (HS220) with the neutrals tied together and the grounds tied together (per their instructions too). The hot goes through the switch. Normal stuff.
I check the neutral and grounds no beeps. Good.
But the hots, when the switch is open (off) I get rapid fire beeps and constant red light from the bottom of the switch and blinking red light and slow beeps from the top.
Bottom is from the panel and the top goes to the light.
So, why would I'd be getting any beeps from the wire going to the switch if it's off?
The manual says this about the beeps:
• For low voltage (12V) detection, the red light flashes slowly and beeps are generated.
• For high voltage (120V) detection, the red light remains on and continuous beeps are generated.
From this, it seems I'm detecting the 120V correctly, but I'm seeing low voltage on the wire to the light.
Doesn't sound right.
Turns out, the tester is detecting the wifi signal out of the switch when in close proximity. Like 1-2 inches away.
This makes it hard to really test for voltage coming out of the switch to the light.
Also, my light fixture is about 12 feet away from the switch and from it I'm still picking up the residual voltage with the tester.
It freaked me out thinking I had some wires crossed or something wired wrong. But I checked, rechecked, unwired, rewired and my conclusion, so far, is the wifi switch is putting out enough signal that it's triggering the tester AND it's sending that down the wire far enough to pick it up 12 feet away!
Anyone else see this?