ghost voltage ideas

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danickstr

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does anyone have tricks for determining a ghost voltage on my digi meter that is faster than going to the vehicle to get the wiggy?

I sometimes wire in a device to see if it runs slowly, but I do not carry a wiggy just to check ghost voltages in travelers, too bulky.
 
danickstr said:
does anyone have tricks for determining a ghost voltage on my digi meter that is faster than going to the vehicle to get the wiggy?

I sometimes wire in a device to see if it runs slowly, but I do not carry a wiggy just to check ghost voltages in travelers, too bulky.
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Yeah, but I'm going to get some crap for relating it to you, but here goes anyhow. Put your finger on one of the meter leads, and if you're dealing with phantom voltage the meter reading will go to nil.
 
mdshunk said:
Yeah, but I'm going to get some crap for relating it to you, but here goes anyhow. Put your finger on one of the meter leads, and if you're dealing with phantom voltage the meter reading will go to nil.
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If the reading on the meter said 90-100 volts would you be up for that? :grin:


I have seen phantom voltage readings that high.
 
iwire said:
If the reading on the meter said 90-100 volts would you be up for that? :grin:
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Nope, which is why this method isn't really a good one on several fronts. Judicious use of this method is advised. Matter of fact, ignoring this method might be better advised. I know what I do, and you all can do whatever it is that you do. ;)
 
I personally

I personally

Dont believe in ghosts. However just make sure the other hand is not leaning on the stainless steel sink when you grab the lead on the meter.
 
At this point in the testing you have no idea if the voltage reading is a real voltage or a ghost voltage. Putting your finger on the test probe could be fatal. You need a different tester or a load that is rated for the voltage.
 
danickstr said:
in my case it is almost always 40 or less. i might trek to the parking area for higher readings:)
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That would be the place. :smile:

When I have seen 90 to 100 volts it was site lighting with very long runs running at 480 volts.
 
In school, we were able to get ghost voltage readings on the DMM as high as 100 volts or more by putting one probe in an outlet, and then touching the other probe with one hand and then touching the dry erase board with the other hand, thereby greatly increasing the plate area of the capacitor we just created.
 
danickstr said:
does anyone have tricks for determining a ghost voltage on my digi meter that is faster than going to the vehicle to get the wiggy?
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How about a light bulb in a rubber socket?
I sometimes wire in a device to see if it runs slowly, but I do not carry a wiggy just to check ghost voltages in travelers, too bulky.
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Carry the wiggy and not the voltmeter?
 
I carry a cheap neon tester also- not much space or weight in the belt, makes a good backup, and generally doesn't light up on a ghost.
 
mdshunk said:
Yeah, but I'm going to get some crap for relating it to you, but here goes anyhow. Put your finger on one of the meter leads, and if you're dealing with phantom voltage the meter reading will go to nil.
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Marc,

No crap from this end. You are correct, but 'experience' is the operative word here.

The real crap may be coming to you from 'smoke shovelers', representing the few 'dear departed' sparkeys who did lean on that SS sink!

Best Wishes Everyone
 
RayS said:
I carry a cheap neon tester also- not much space or weight in the belt, makes a good backup, and generally doesn't light up on a ghost.
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Okay, I'm calling BS on this, since a neon will light up pretty darned quickly on 'phantom voltage'. That's the #1 reason I quit carrying one.
 
Fluke makes a nice DMM with a Lo-Z function, plus it has a volt alert - the end of the meter functions like a "volt stick", Fluke 117, about $150.
They also make a plug in adapter for a regular DMM that makes it low impedance, I have seen it in the catalog but do not have one.
 
The Fluke T5 that most are fond of using nowadays recently came out in a version that will thwart phantom voltage. If my T5 ever craps out, that will be the one I'll buy. Either that, or I might run across a guy one day who would appreciate my old T5, then I'll have an excuse to buy the new and improved version.
 
76nemo said:
Disagree. Look at Flukes 116 and 117, they are dual impedance DMM's. So is their 114, and 289.

The 289 has all the features needed except dishwashing:grin:
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I am very familiar with Flukes testers, own a number of them, but if you read the OP you will see this,
that is faster than going to the vehicle to get the wiggy?
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I just don't see "Fluke" at all in those words.

Roger
 
My real question here is why is someone using a DMM for typical line voltage troubleshooting.

It like using a sledgehammer to put in thumb tacks .... to much tool for the job at hand.
 
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