The Wiggy

[coulter]

First one I had was triplet 310 - early 60s. Great meter, I really liked the 5000V scale. Used it on 4160V a couple of times. That might be why Triplet quit making it.:roll:

Next one was a Simpson 260M - that is the one pictured in Larry's post. Got it in 1964 along with a matching VTVM. The 260M was an excellent meter for bench work. Never liked it for the field. It finally hit the floor one too many times - takes out the meter pivots.

I've got a Knopp and an Ideal - really like the Knopp.

Of course I am an engineer - so ....

carl

 

[LarryFine]

I've got a Knopp and an Ideal - really like the Knopp.

Of course I am an engineer - so ....

Hey! There's no reason to insult the rest of us Knopp users!

 

[coulter]

Larry -
Are you sure I have insulted all of the rest of the Knopp users?

Let me try again - Of course I am an engineer and an avid DIY, so...

There, that should have got them all :grin: :roll:

carl

 

[John Valdes]

When working on controls and such, a analog meter is handy to have. The digitals sometimes are to slow to catch a spike or related condition. At least with the analog I can see that needle move.
I also still use my Amprobe ac clamp for this reason. The digital cannot react fast enough in certain situations.
I can't afford a recorder....lol

 

[macmikeman]

The first post in this thread mentioned a tendancy of solonoid testers to blow up on 480 volts. All the different brands I have possesed over the years are rated for use up to 600 volts. I have never experienced a problem with testing phase to phase 480 volts using a solonoid tester. Anybody else?

 

[coulter]

mac -
I was wondering that too. I haven't ever had any trouble. I never heard on one "blowing up" on 480V.

I did throw one out after dropping it into salt water. Probably wasted a good tester.:roll:

carl

 

[JohnConnolly]

. My only gripe is when ever it is in my tool belt and I walk to close to a lever style door handle It seems to be hanging on the door handle while I am on my way down the hall.:grin:

Classic! How many times has THAT happened??

Mine doen't come out though it stops me dead in my tracks and/or yanks the leads out.

 

[smithacetech]

I believe unless the "wiggy" has a cat3 rating they have been found unsafe & illegal to use according to IEC 61010 and 70E. Im not sure were exactly it is stated in 70E, other than 110.9 as a general requirement.
I think is was outlawed in 2004. So if you have an older wiggy it is probably not legally usable. Wiggy's or any meter without at least a cat3 rating are not allowed to be used were I work.

 

[iaov]

Never have seen a Wiggy blow up but we had a guy in for Arc Flash training a few years ago and he stated that it has been known to happen and that some factories no longer allow thier use.