CAT ratings for non-cantact testers

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chris kennedy

Senior Member
Location
Miami Fla.
Occupation
60 yr old tool twisting electrician
Why do non-contact testers such as voltage and rotation need/have CAT ratings? No current flows through them.

Thanks
 

GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
If I did contact live parts with one, there would be no current from the premise wiring system flowing through it.
But it would need to protect you from accidental shocks when holding the tester, caused by inadequate insulation. The Category system addresses protective insulation as well as applied current and voltage limits. For a non-contact tester some of the tests may not be applicable at all, but the operator safety test part of the requirements will be the same.
It isn't actually done AFAIK, but you could apply the CAT (X) protection levels to testing an insulated screwdriver. :)
 
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