I work at a large 5 million square foot hospital/research center and was told almost 10 years ago that the sturdy Wiggy were not allowed to be used for safety reasons . You had to be careful with them on the higher voltage readings like 480 volts . Was something like 20 seconds on then no power for maybe 40 seconds. Back in the 70's I had guys wrap a wire around each test probe and connect them up to a 480 volt control circuit and have them energized awhile where they got pretty hot . I have a state of the art $500 digital VOM/Megger that I use almost everyday but a times I wish I had the use of one of my old wiggy's . I just love when you attach a lead to a digital VOM and read anywhere from 10 to 60 volts before the other test lead is attached .[ especially true in damp locations ] . I believe the Ideal Voltrons do have a safer model with fused test leads . No matter what test equipment you use ALWAYS test it, use it retest it . Last month I had training on 13.2 KV switch gear and my follow sparky noticed that all 3 of the fuses in an air switch were installed up side down [ blown indicating pin was up instead of down ] and the electrical foreman on the job was going to reach in and pull them out with testing for power . I stopped him and asked him where his high voltage tester was . He did not have one at this substation but said that it was ok because the air switch was off and all 3 blades were opened . NO GOOD ENOUGH. i TOLD HIM NOT TODAY . Always work safe , work smart . garbo.
