In your opinion, what's the best tester of TS?

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bjp_ne_elec

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Looking to pick up a tester for troubleshooting - and I'd like to hear back from the forum on what some of you prefer. I seem to be doing more and more "debug" - so I'm looking for the best tool to find shorts, an open in the wire, etc.

Thanks in advance,

Brett
 
The first tester I reach for on a typical service call is an Ideal Vol-Con:

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It indicates Voltage under load, continuity, or even "trace" or fantom voltage without having to change any settings.

Depending on the circumstances, when more accurate instruments are needed, then I will get out the digital Fluke, or AmProbe. But the Vol-Con is all that is needed at least 80% of the time.
 
I use a Greenlee DVC6. Indicates AC/DC voltage. Continuity. Hi resistance faults to ground. Audible capacitance. With practice and in conjunction with other devices, wire identification and arterial blood letting when you are in a hurry and ignore the very sharp probe sticking out of your tool box.

As with any tool figure out how to use it and know it's limitations. We also have true RMS amp meters, digital VOMs and just lately a megger.
 
Kbsparky - thanks for the response. I was thinking more of a circuit tracer, etc. But I do agree the "Wiggy" type tester is definitely a "must have". I also like Ideals tester with the Test-glo with Neon light. Can hold you finger on one end, touch a hot wire and get a dim light - but it's handy when you don't know if you have a ground or not.

Thanks

Dave
 
My favorite troubleshooting equipment is a wiggy and an extension cord plugged into a known-good receptacle.
 
Hey Bob,

Remember there was a fellow in our chapter that was talking about that troubleshooting device that he and some other fellow had come up with?

You could just plug it in and it would tell you if the outlets were wired correctly and all kinds of other stuff.

Did you ever hear what became of that one?

Other than that I agree with Bob and the Wiggy. I also like the Ideal plug in testers, more just to check power as they give you a false reading from time to time, but they are easy to use. As far as tracers I have only used a much older one (been out of the field for awhile), but it sure was handy when we had a lot of computers to worry about, though all it really told you was which breaker an outlet was on and it didn't work if there was no power.
 
I generally reach for a Wiggy or a Fluke T5 right off the bat. Bigger guns are sometimes necessary, but these are my workhorses.
 
I don't like a wiggy as it has no lights and continuity test function. It may be dangerous on 480, however I don't know for sure if its Cat III rated
The ideal would be OK if its Cat III rated
My recommendation is a Fluke Volt Alert 1AC II I carry one in my pocket
A Fluke T5 does volts amps and continuity
A Fluke T3 does voltage and continuity.

The cat rating is how the meter will withstand and protect the operator from overvoltages.

I have several other Flukes, including a process calibrator that cost 5K, it reads in microvolts. Fluke has a great product and the new meters are goof proof.
Their new 117 meter is worth a look, as it has a Low-Z function so you don't get fooled by ghost voltages.
 
tom baker said:
I don't like a wiggy as it has no lights and continuity test function.
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Some people use 'Wiggy' as the generic term for any solenoid type voltage tester, and not just the Wiggington/Square D meter. Ideal's 'Vol-Con' is a wiggy type tester with a continuity function and it features lights to further dazzle the user.
 
Thanks md. I actually used the Ideal myself. Had my first one for years til I finally dropped it one to many times. The one I have now is over 20 year old.
 
I use the GreenLee DMM and a Greenlee Circuit tracer. The circuit tracer can be used to locate buried ceiling boxes, underground wiring, etc.

Tom

Expensive but worth every dime!
 
cowboyjwc said:
Hey Bob,

Remember there was a fellow in our chapter that was talking about that troubleshooting device that he and some other fellow had come up with?

You could just plug it in and it would tell you if the outlets were wired correctly and all kinds of other stuff.

Did you ever hear what became of that one?

Other than that I agree with Bob and the Wiggy. I also like the Ideal plug in testers, more just to check power as they give you a false reading from time to time, but they are easy to use. As far as tracers I have only used a much older one (been out of the field for awhile), but it sure was handy when we had a lot of computers to worry about, though all it really told you was which breaker an outlet was on and it didn't work if there was no power.
Click to expand...
That was Jim ???; the chief electrical inspector for Riveside County. He had a great product and lousy marketing. By the way, I wanted his job until I found out what it pays.
 
bkludecke said:
The best troubleshooting instrument is that gray matter located between your ears. It gets better every time you use it.
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I think that is the best answer here so far....

And ditto for ptonsparky too.

Don't know if they make a wiggy that will test for 24AC, 12DC, or current.... Bottom line, it all depends on what you work on... IMO a wiggy will tell you if a usable voltage is there, but won't tell you much after that, except that its not there, thats the reason you're there in the first place. Personaly a clamp-on ammeter, with ohmeter, AC and DC voltage is an all-round troubleshooting tool. Fluke and Amprobe make a decent product line for these items...
 
I like a Wiggy, but in those cases where you're dealing with an open neutral or no ground (ever been up in an attic in an older home with Knob and Tube - no copper water pipe in site) - be cautious of what the tool is "telling" you.
.
 
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That's why I like dragging the end of a 3-wire cord with me. I have a reference hot, neutral, and ground in my hand.
 
Boy, wish I could remember his name, but it might have been Jim. Yeah he kept wanting to come to our department and push is but we don't have much use for salesmen. Wish I could find the paperwork he gave me on it.
 
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