Recommend a voltage tester

[Todd.Brock]

Hi,
We just bought a new house. I am looking for recommendations on a voltage tester. I want to accomplish two things, first, to see if there is juice at a particular receptacle using the little wand that lights up and beeps. Second, I would like to trace receptacles back to their respective circuit at the box. I know there is a little tone generator that you plug in and then use a wand at the box. Is there a device that will do both?

I have looked on Amazon and found fluke GB, Klein, voltage detectors for 25 bucks and then I have also found the tracing tools for about similar money. I was just wondering what you recommend.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You can'y go wrong with Klein. Craftsman sell a DMM and "non contacting voltage detector" (sometimes called a "ringer") package for about $20-$30, less on sale.

The other tool, a wire tracer (sometimes called a "fox and found") is typically used on low voltage circuits (phone, cable, network). If you are going to use it on AC circuits, be sure to turn off the main breaker FIRST, because you will probably have remove the load center cover and remove the individual breaker on the circuit you are trying to trace.

I bought a Mastech MS6812 for less than $20. Never used it on a power circuit.


I have never seen a combination tool.

 

[Beemer533]

This is what you are looking for..

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014FNWJG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't own it, so I can't personally say how well it works..

I use this Klein for tracking down breakers, it works very well;

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LHJSY8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These are ac specific, and do not require the power to be turned off (actually, they won't work unless power is on). For both of these, if they don't light up when they are plugged in, there is no power so there is no need to also use the non contact tester.

 

[pedrodagr8]

Craftsman is a rebadged Extech which in turn is typically a rebadged CEM (from China). Typically, not the worst chinese company but far from a great company.

If you just want the wand for under $30. The Fluke FLK1AC-A1-II should do you well.

 

[Steve in Louisiana]

Buy FLUKE 27 . . .on eBay . . . Should be able to get a new or like new for $55.00 to $80.00. It is the most durable meter ever built by FLUKE. There are tons of them for sale on eBay since the our military has abandoned it for a wussy light weight meter. The rest of the world still uses the big Flukes. I have (2). Used them in PetroChem & Oil Field. It meets all military standards. I was designed for rugged use. You want the boxy looking one.

 

[sourdough]

I am not an expert about digital meters. I have a nearly 20-year-old Fluke 85 that has done well for me, and I know that I have not used anywhere near all of its functions.

Is this a decent meter? I believe it is rated for 480VAC.

 

[pedrodagr8]

Buy FLUKE 27 . . .on eBay . . . Should be able to get a new or like new for $55.00 to $80.00. It is the most durable meter ever built by FLUKE. There are tons of them for sale on eBay since the our military has abandoned it for a wussy light weight meter. The rest of the world still uses the big Flukes. I have (2). Used them in PetroChem & Oil Field. It meets all military standards. I was designed for rugged use. You want the boxy looking one.

The OP wants a voltage stick not a dmm. But anyways since you brough it up: the military version is the Fluke 27/FM and is not the same meter as the Fluke 27. The 27/FM has TrueRMS for example, the regular yellow 27 does not. Used to be you could get them for under $40 NEW OLD STOCK That supply has long since dried up. As for their quality, it is almost identical to pretty much any high end fluke. They didn't really do much special for it because most high-end flukes meet the ruggedness standards (including the 87V). I wouldn't call it the best out they ever made but it was a very solid meter and can still be found at a good price. Safety wise, it isn't as safe as the newer models but just like below, it is more than safe enough for anythign you or I could throw at it.

I am not an expert about digital meters. I have a nearly 20-year-old Fluke 85 that has done well for me, and I know that I have not used anywhere near all of its functions.

Is this a decent meter? I believe it is rated for 480VAC.

Decent is an understatement! It's actually a very good quality meter, I think the voltage jack is rated for 1000V. It isn't as safe as the modern 87V or 83V but it is more than safe for anything you or I could throw at it. It should last you for another several decades.

 

[Beemer533]

Buy FLUKE 27 . . .on eBay . . . Should be able to get a new or like new for $55.00 to $80.00. It is the most durable meter ever built by FLUKE. There are tons of them for sale on eBay since the our military has abandoned it for a wussy light weight meter. The rest of the world still uses the big Flukes. I have (2). Used them in PetroChem & Oil Field. It meets all military standards. I was designed for rugged use. You want the boxy looking one.

I am not an expert about digital meters. I have a nearly 20-year-old Fluke 85 that has done well for me, and I know that I have not used anywhere near all of its functions.

Is this a decent meter? I believe it is rated for 480VAC.

Just to clarify, the OP is not looking for a DMM... He is looking for a non contact meter and a CB tracer..

 

[Todd.Brock]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the suggestions. I will let you know what I end up with!

 

[pedrodagr8]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the suggestions. I will let you know what I end up with!

What did you end up with?

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[MikeF2316]

Rather than start a new thread, I'll revive this one. I'm in the market for a circuit breaker finder. I see a couple by Ideal (61-534 and 61-532) and one by Klein (ET300). Most of the online reviews are pretty positive, but some aren't. Price isn't really an issue, I want the one that works the best. Anybody have any experience with any of these, or an alternate suggestion that's better?

 

[alfredeneuman]

As far the breaker tracer goes, I've been using one of these to check for residential receptacle circuits. (I have the same thing except Ideal instead of Sperry).
It's has adjustable sensitivity and after you fiddle around for it while to get the setting right, is amazingly accurate

http://www.toolup.com/sperry_cs550a...scplp1057445&gclid=COPzv-yI8cECFcNhfgodfwgAow