What defines the difference between an electrical tester or an indicator?

[ELA]

I am just curious to hear what various people think?
It is my sincerest hope that this thread would not become political and that we all respect each others point of view.
I am not looking for anyone to provide the definitive answer but rather what is your opinion?

My thoughts were that an indicator would not incite any action or provide any stimulus to the device being verified.

A tester would likely provide some sort of stimulus. I am sure there are many variations and ways to interpret this and I am interested to hear your view.

 

[Buck Parrish]

While some testers have indicators on them to show certain variations. A tester is temporary. While an indicator might be permanently mounted to a machine..

 

[LarryFine]

What defines the difference between an electrical tester or an indicator?

Most basic: A tester has a gauge or value readout, like a volt-meter.

An indicator is a yes/no, go/no-go device, like a neon-bulb tester.

 

[iwire]

Perhaps this is a better question for UL who is the entity that assigns the terms 'tester' and 'indicator'. to the devices they list.

None of our personal opinions mean anything. :smile:

 

[ELA]

None of our personal opinions mean anything. :smile:

Iwire,
I started this thread in hopes of getting feedback so that I can learn how others reason the aswer to the question and hopefully spur some interesting conversation.

For the most part I enjoy sharing and learning from this site.
A statement like yours was completely uncalled for.

 

[ELA]

Most basic: A tester has a gauge or value readout, like a volt-meter.

An indicator is a yes/no, go/no-go device, like a neon-bulb tester.

Thanks Larry,
Would you consider a thermometer to an indicator or a tester?
Is your thinking that an indicator cannot display an analog reading?

 

[charlie b]

I don't think Bob's comment was out of line. He was simply remarking that whatever your intended use may be for having our opinions, you should be aware that our opinions cannot change anything, cannot influence anything.

That said, I do not understand the question. Can you give me some context? How did these two words come into play? Did someone (or some project specification, perhaps) require that you install one, and you would rather install the other, and you need to know if the substitution will be acceptable? What does it matter?

 

[LarryFine]

Thanks Larry,
Would you consider a thermometer to an indicator or a tester?
Is your thinking that an indicator cannot display an analog reading?

A tester (within the limits of these two choices), and yes.

Added: I also believe you over-reacted to Bob's comment.

 

[billsnuff]

doesn't a meter give an indication of volts, amps, speed, temp, etc. ?

 

[billsnuff]

an indicator could give air speed, water level, oil level or it could be an LED.

one would have to have some exacting parameters for a precise deninition, cause they could very well be one and the same.

____YES

____NO

__X_ALL OF THE ABOVE

 

[ELA]

I don't think Bob's comment was out of line. He was simply remarking that whatever your intended use may be for having our opinions, you should be aware that our opinions cannot change anything, cannot influence anything.

That said, I do not understand the question. Can you give me some context? How did these two words come into play? Did someone (or some project specification, perhaps) require that you install one, and you would rather install the other, and you need to know if the substitution will be acceptable? What does it matter?

I had asked up front for it not to be a political discussion (not a question for UL). All I wanted was to have peoples opinions. I have my ideas of what constitutes a tester vs. an indicator and I had hoped to learn some other points of view. It was that simple. I had hoped maybe I could learn and grow from others viewpoints.

In this case others opinions were of a great value to me. They certainly do mean something. Do you really think I am unaware of what peoples opinions can and cannot do?

I had searched the net for definitions and did not find any definitive writings.
I had asked this question of some of my closer aquaintances and got some interesting responses and thought it would be thought provoking to ask it here.

I have often times read where moderators ask people not to post unless they have something constructive to contribute.
Well, I had asked up front for respect of others opinions.
Instead I get "none of your personal opinions mean anything" - from a moderator.

I wonder what ever happened to Pierre

 

[iwire]

Iwire,
I started this thread in hopes of getting feedback so that I can learn how others reason the answer to the question and hopefully spur some interesting conversation.

For the most part I enjoy sharing and learning from this site.
A statement like yours was completely uncalled for.

You lost me, I am not at all suggesting this thread is worthless, should be closed, should not have been opened or should not continue.

My suspicion is that this thread was started as an offshoot on the AFCI 'tester' thread.

With that in mind all I was pointing out is that UL may have a definitive answer about how they distinguish a tester from an indicator.

But apparently your more interested in discussion then fact finding so I will just shut up and keep my suggestions to myself.

 

[iwire]

I had searched the net for definitions and did not find any definitive writings.

And my suggestion that you go straight to the horses mouth was out of line?

I have often times read where moderators ask people not to post unless they have something constructive to contribute.
Well, I had asked up front for respect of others opinions.
Instead I get "none of your personal opinions mean anything" - from a moderator.

I really think you have taken what I said in a way it was not given, did you see the smile?

I wonder what ever happened to Pierre

Nothing happened to Pierre other then being overly sensitive.

He felt having one of his threads removed was a personal slap in the face. The odd thing is there are more then 700 removed threads, it is not personal.

 

[wptski]

FLA:

It would be a bit depended on usage. A voltage tester would show a numeric value of 120VAC, where a indicator might have a LED, buzzer, etc. or some other visual indication of 120VAC. Like a voltage TIC or Fluke VoltAlert is a indicator because it lights up and makes a sound too.

 

[ELA]

With that in mind all I was pointing out is that UL may have a definitive answer about how they distinguish a tester from an indicator.

Read my first post again

But apparently your more interested in discussion then fact finding so I will just shut up and keep my suggestions to myself

There ya go!

 

[wptski]

Ideal refers to its Vol-Con as a voltage tester! Is it a tester or a indicator? It does test for voltage and provides a indication.

 

[LarryFine]

I really think you have taken what I said in a way it was not given, did you see the smile?

I did, which is the only reason I suggested an over-reaction. ELA clearly stated "I am not looking for anyone to provide the definitive answer but rather what is your opinion?"

He merely asked for our opinions. There was no really good reason to be told "None of our personal opinions mean anything." Opinions have changed the NEC, and the world.

 

[LarryFine]

Ideal refers to its Vol-Con as a voltage tester! Is it a tester or a indicator? It does test for voltage and provides a indication.

I say it, and my K-60 as well, is a tester that incorporates an indicator.

 

[frizbeedog]

My thoughts were that an indicator would not incite any action or provide any stimulus to the device being verified.

A tester would likely provide some sort of stimulus. I am sure there are many variations and ways to interpret this and I am interested to hear your view.

So, I need to test a circuit's voltage. I use simple digital meter, say a Fluke. It indicates the voltage for me. Have I performed a test?

I believe you can have a tester without the stimulus...which also indicates.

 

[frizbeedog]

I had asked up front for it not to be a political discussion (not a question for UL). All I wanted was to have peoples opinions.

Had you not included this in your original post I think things would have been fine:

It is my sincerest hope that this thread would not become political and that we all respect each others point of view.

Why even include that qualifier?....and then ask for people's opinions? Well...you got an opinion based solely on the way you worded your post.

Just ask the question.

Don't get too upset for an opinion which you invited by the wording of your question.

We all get what we ask for.