something cool i noticed.

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electricalperson

electricalperson

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Location
massachusetts
i have 3 way switches in my house. so i decided to look for phantom voltage. i had 33 volts on the wire that didnt have any power on it at a time using the hi impedance meter. i put my simpson and there was a little deflection. no matter what the scale was the needle had the same angle. when i put my wiggy in paralell with it the voltage went away. when i put my fingers across the dead traveler the needle went to 0.

this thing is awesome:grin::grin:
 
iwire said:
I would be worried if a guy needed a 260 to troubleshoot 3 ways in a house. :grin:
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give me a break i was just experimenting with it

wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out
 
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Your experiment proves why a wiggy is the tester of choice for typical troubleshooting.

electricalperson said:
im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out
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You're not a true techno-geek unless you have to open everything you buy just to see the insides. :cool:
 
electricalperson said:
give me a break i was just experimenting with it
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I know, I was kidding with you.





wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out
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I might know someone that hooked up a very expensive Dranetz power quality recording meter on a home service just to try it out. :wink:

The current probes are tough to fit in a dwelling unit load center.:grin:
 
iwire said:
I know, I was kidding with you.








I might know someone that hooked up a very expensive Dranetz power quality recording meter on a home service just to try it out. :wink:

The current probes are tough to fit in a dwelling unit load center.:grin:
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whenever i get a new tool or tester i feel like its more of a toy than something to make money with. i usually tinker with the meters for a few hours before getting comfortable enough to use it in the field
 
electricalperson said:
whenever i get a new tool or tester i feel like its more of a toy than something to make money with. i usually tinker with the meters for a few hours before getting comfortable enough to use it in the field
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I spend about 10% of the cost of a new meter on batteries just dinking around with it for a while.
 
electricalperson said:
i have 3 way switches in my house. so i decided to look for phantom voltage. i had 33 volts on the wire that didnt have any power on it at a time using the hi impedance meter. i put my simpson and there was a little deflection. no matter what the scale was the needle had the same angle. when i put my wiggy in paralell with it the voltage went away. when i put my fingers across the dead traveler the needle went to 0.

this thing is awesome:grin::grin:
Click to expand...


I am a big fan of solenoid testers. DVOM's are great, especially when customers see voltage where it's not expected as you are testing and you shake a root at it and it goes away (as confirmed by the solenoid tester and touch potential.)

You guys do have root bags on your trucks, don't you?
 
480sparky said:
I spend about 10% of the cost of a new meter on batteries just dinking around with it for a while.
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If you use the meter every day, rechargeable NiMHs are your best choice.

If left sitting for long periods of time, you may want to consider Lithium batteries.

I love rechargeable batteries. I use them on a daily basis for radios, testers, cameras, lights, etc.

Different types of batteries all have their place. Thankfully, the choice is ours once we understand the best applications.
 
electricalperson said:
give me a break i was just experimenting with it

wait until i buy a PQA. ill check power quality on my 100 amp 120/240v service on my house :grin:

im willing to bet im not the only guy that uses fancy new meters on there house just to try them out
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I'll give ya a price to upgrade that to a 200A:wink:
 
K8MHZ said:
If you use the meter every day, rechargeable NiMHs are your best choice.

If left sitting for long periods of time, you may want to consider Lithium batteries.

I love rechargeable batteries. I use them on a daily basis for radios, testers, cameras, lights, etc.

Different types of batteries all have their place. Thankfully, the choice is ours once we understand the best applications.
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Rechargeables aren't reliable enough for me. They tend to die at the worse possible moments.

I got a Fluke 289 recording meter last year, and it can record up to 8 full days with fresh batteries. I went through 40 or so just playing around with it.

I'd hate to put rechargeables in, then set it up for a 7- or 8-day recording session, then come back and found the batteries dies after 4 or 5 days. That would not look good in the eyes of a customer.

If it's going to sit for any length of time, there's no batteries in them at all.
 
The wiggy saved me tonight, the ground was getting switched (instead of the "hot") to a shallow well pump that was also high-impedence grounded via it's plumbing. With the wiggy I nailed it down quick.

LarryFine said:
You're not a true techno-geek unless you have to open everything you buy just to see the insides. :cool:
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I think to be a "REAL" techno-geek you need to be able to put them back together again, and also have them work.
By that def. I'm a part time techno-geek. :grin:


Doug S.
 
480sparky said:
Rechargeables aren't reliable enough for me. They tend to die at the worse possible moments.

I got a Fluke 289 recording meter last year, and it can record up to 8 full days with fresh batteries. I went through 40 or so just playing around with it.

I'd hate to put rechargeables in, then set it up for a 7- or 8-day recording session, then come back and found the batteries dies after 4 or 5 days. That would not look good in the eyes of a customer.

If it's going to sit for any length of time, there's no batteries in them at all.
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Don't know if this is thread worthy?

Why are the NMH 1.2V and the alKaline 1.5???

Some electronic products I have say to use alkaline only.

Can't the manufactures get it together and make batteries the same voltage.

"My brother printer needs more power Scotty!"
 
Ditch the wiggy and get a Fluke 117, It has a volt stick built in, and a low -z function for ghost voltages.
Then get a fluke T+pro in for your troubleshooting. It lights up, beeps and vibrates on voltage, tests GFCIs, built in light, and phase rotation with 2 leads. All for $85.

Seems like few have every used a T+pro. Once you do the wiggy goes in the old meter collection.
 
tom baker said:
Ditch the wiggy and get a Fluke 117, It has a volt stick built in, and a low -z function for ghost voltages.
Then get a fluke T+pro in for your troubleshooting. It lights up, beeps and vibrates on voltage, tests GFCIs, built in light, and phase rotation with 2 leads. All for $85.

Seems like few have every used a T+pro. Once you do the wiggy goes in the old meter collection.
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i have the t+pro and the 117. i missed using a solenoid tester so i bought a K-60. i used to have a K-60 but i gave it to y helper when i got the t+pro
 
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