Be careful with Greenlee GT-11 Voltage Detectors.

[c2500]

This afternoon I was tying new wire into an existing circuit. The panel had to be replaced for water damage, and labeling is not complete on the original circuits. I turned off the breaker I believed was the live one. (Old house, so it takes a while to sort out what went where.) I went into the crawl space and ran the detector over a known live circuit and it chirped. I ran it over the wire that was dead ended into a junction box and no chirp. (All the original load was pulled from the circuit, resulting in the new wire dead ending.) Did it a second time, no chirp. When I went to strip the hot, I was shocked. The damp crawl space ground and my butt made for a wonderful path to ground. My hand clamped shut and I ended up pulling the rubber grips of the strippers. My arm hurts, but I will live. I am throwing the detector out after I hit it with a hammer.

Just a reminder to be safe and extra careful.

c2500

 

[chris kennedy]

Glad you somewhat OK. These testers are only the first stage when testing for voltage.

 

[c2500]

Thanks.

My new plan is going to be kill everything. I would never knowingly work on something hot. I also have no intention of ever having this happen again.

c2500

 

[electricalperson]

get the knopp K-60 i gave mine away to my helper because i replaced it with the T+pro but recently had to buy a new one because i miss the vibration of a true solenoid tester

 

[don_resqcapt19]

What type of wire? There are known issues with the non-contact voltage testers if you are testing something like NM or SO and the paper under the jacket is wet. Often, under that condition, those types of testers will give you a false negative.

 

[480sparky]

Many volt sensors won't work on the noodle side of NM 2-wire cables, or in certain spots of 3-wire. Check both sides of the cable, as well as 3 or 4 feet of length.

 

[c2500]

It was 14-2 NM-B. I ran it over both sides, as I have noticed it doesn't always read on one side. It had no problem with the 12-2 that was close by.

c2500

 

[iaov]

I've used the Fluke sniffers for years and have always been able to tell if stuff was hot. Sometimes they are too sensitive and the same induced voltages that will show up on a DVM will light up the sniffer. Time to break out the Wiggy then. Glad you didn't get killed!!

 

[sparky59]

I have fluke, klein, and greenlee no-contact detectors. They serve a purpose, but all of them have given false readings. The greenlee is the worst.

 

[daleuger]

I had that same one. Never got hurt by the false negative but after blowing up a pair of strippers I threw it out. I always use a meter now.

 

[LarryFine]

get the knopp K-60

Seconded They're even CAT III rated now.

You do have to have another conductor or grounded surface to test against, but that's usually no problem in our work. If you have to, take one (such as a plugged-in extension cord) with you.

 

[sd4524]

I remember working with one electrician who had a greenlee voltage detector that was about 3 times the size of the crappy detectors that we all use. It would always chirp, then chirp faster when voltage was detected. He told me that it cost like $100.00. I would buy one for testing cables with no exposed copper if i thought it was 100% reliable. Anyone ever use this one or even know what I'm talking about?
Also when using these voltage detectors, I have made the mistake of holding a live cable in my right hand and testing another cable with my left hand. This always gives a false reading.

 

[480sparky]

I remember working with one electrician who had a greenlee voltage detector that was about 3 times the size of the crappy detectors that we all use. It would always chirp, then chirp faster when voltage was detected. He told me that it cost like $100.00. I would buy one for testing cables with no exposed copper if i thought it was 100% reliable. Anyone ever use this one or even know what I'm talking about?
.......

A Volt Tic?

 

[bobsherwood]

I tell they guys working for me that they are for testing for presents of voltage but, DO NOT DARE! depend on them to detect no voltage. They are just not to be trusted IMO.

 

[c2500]

I tell they guys working for me that they are for testing for presents of voltage but, DO NOT DARE! depend on them to detect no voltage. They are just not to be trusted IMO.

I'll vouch for that!

c2500