What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

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tx2step

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My old Tif "Tick Tracer" finally died. It was OLD, but worked really well. The closer it got to voltage (and the higher the voltage), the faster it would "tick", kind of like a Geiger counter.

What have you guys found to be the best non-contact voltage detector that's available today? (Brand and model)

What features about it do you like and/or dislike?

What did it cost?
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

I use a Triplett "Sniff-It". It self tests if you press the pocket clip. It also reacts to anything above 50V meaning you can wipe it across your shirt and test it via the static charge produced - if you're in a low humidity environment! I'm sure others have their own favorites. As I recall the Sniff-It was less than twenty bucks.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

I recently bought a Fluke Volt Light. It has dual sensitivity (red means hot, blue means neutral or within about a foot of hot), which is a nice feature. It's a little more than $20.

I also have a Greenlee, but I'm not all that happy with it. Lately I'm finding that the detector sometimes only works if I orient it a certain way relative to the wire.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Fluke all the way.
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(Edit: $20, not sure of model)

Greenlee's belong in the trash can.
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($10, again, not sure)

[ June 22, 2005, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Kentirwin -- are you using the new Sniff-it 2 or the older original version? The new version has adjustable sensitivity from 5V to 600V (possibly a double-edged sword), but I like all of its features. Pretty nifty for a $16 instrument. I especially like the feature that it beeps and flashes faster as you approach voltage -- like my old tick tracer. Neither of the cut sheets for either model mention a self-test feature by pressing the clip, though. How does that work?
http://www.triplett.com/index.html
(look under new products or for Cat. # 9601)

Jeff -- It took a little time to find the info for the Fluke #LVD1 "Volt Light", since it is shown under the section for lights under accessories. It's a pretty nifty looking little device, too. Having a compact LED flashlight & voltage detector in one device would make a lot of sense. Has it proven to be reliable?


George -- Does the Fluke models that you use have the built-in flashlight? If not, it's probably a "VoltAlert" 1AC-A, which looks like a large pen?


Have any of you used one of the Amprobe models, like the VP-600SB probe with "shaker/buzzer"?
http://www.amprobe.com/cgi-bin/pdc/searchprod.cgi?category=175&type=elec&tid=1&action=search


Are there any other models that anyone recommends?

I'll probably only use one, so I'd like to use the best one available. Price isn't my main consideration. Features, size and reliablilty are the main things.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Originally posted by tx2step:

Jeff -- It took a little time to find the info for the Fluke #LVD1 "Volt Light", since it is shown under the section for lights under accessories. It's a pretty nifty looking little device, too. Having a compact LED flashlight & voltage detector in one device would make a lot of sense. Has it proven to be reliable?
Click to expand...
It's been quite reliable, as expected. Fluke is top of the line. The volt light doesn't have any audible beeper/clicker, but the blue/red LEDs and the LED flashlight work well.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

There all junk in my opinion. Last time I used mine I threw it in to the bay. Unreliable, I had flukes and greenlees'
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Tx2step - my Sniff-It must be version 1.0. It has no adjustable sensitivity. The self test works by just pressing the pocket clip. I like it because it's audible as well as visual. A supplier I do alot of business with gave me an Amprobe VP-600 SB Voltprobe. The only thing I have against it is that it's alot bulkier. At the end opposite the probe it's about twice the width of the Sniff-It, so the latter is a much better fit for my shirt pocket. Because in my work capacity it's not practical to carry a meter with me at all times, the Sniff-It or other similar devices are definitely not junk, IMHO. :)
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

RE:the "sniff-it 2" voltage sensor.The $16.00 initial cost sounds very reasonable , but what is the replacement cost of the custom battery 12v a23?.Sounds a lot more expensive and less readily available then 2 "aaa" batteries.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Hmmm...

How hard is it to find A23 batteries?

From a quick Google search,they appear to be used in door openers and car alarms?

I haven't looked for any. If they are hard to find, then that would make the Sniff-It less desirable.

You can get 2 of them for 3.95 + 3.95 shipping = $7.90 at:
http://www.flashlightsunlimited.com/alkaline-12v.htm

Or one from this place for 1.25 = 4.99 shipping = $6.24:
http://as-seen.bizhosting.com/sanyo_23a_a23_battery.html

For those of you that have the Sniff-It, how long do the batteries last?

How hard are replacements to find, and where did you find them?
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Fluke right now has the best detector out. I just got it and has a flash light built in which also has a clip that swivels which is terriffic. When you clip it to a side of a panel it will light the whole panel up. The voltage detector has blue and red. Blue for low amperage (your at a safe distance) red for higher amperage (your to close). This is simple the best one I have ever owned in 20 years hands down. I have had the all greenlee, amprobe, etc. It's clled Fluke Volt Light Model LVD1. Sells at Grainger for $19. The only slight down side there is no audible.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

i have a fluke that i am very happy with. The greenlee version is terrible...i threw it away.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Originally posted by Ken9876:
There all junk in my opinion. Last time I used mine I threw it in to the bay. Unreliable, I had flukes and greenlees'
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. How then do you sort out K&T runs? By not using a non-contact probe to do so, it really racks up the troubleshooting time.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Sorry to hear that. How then do you sort out K&T runs? By not using a non-contact probe to do so, it really racks up the troubleshooting time.
Click to expand...
I use to use one all the time doing residential & commercial work, helped sort things out when working hot. However, now that I'm working on control circuits that are mixed in with power circuits, one of these testers are useless.. When I'm troubleshooting, there are many tight enclosures that I might be in and with that many wires in that close proximity these testers are unreliable. I find that there are a lot of wires that are having a voltage induced from other circuits and the probe testers will indicate these wires are hot, when in fact they aren't. I always take my meter with me and its never failed me.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Have any of you used an AEMC Model SC-1 voltage tester? (pocket type) (Catalog #2121.01) http://www.aemc.com/products/html/minfindex.asp?id=60301&dbname=products

It looks kind of like a small, shirt-pocket screwdriver.

The AEMC specs say:
70 to 250VAC Contact,
70 to 600VAC Non-Contact,
DC voltage test up to 250VDC,
Polarity Check from 1.5V to 36VDC
Continuity Check from 0 to 5 Mohm,
Microwave Leakage Detection (5mW CM squared)
Frequency range 50 to 500 Hz.

Cost is around $10

Anyone had any experience with it, and have any opinion about its functionality and reliability?

[ July 06, 2005, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: tx2step ]
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Amprobe makes one the reads both volts an amps. The only draw back is the tip needs to be under the wire. It is pretty accurate though. It has an scale on it an lights up for diffrent voltages and amps. Here is a link if you want to check it out.

http://www.tequipment.net/AmprobeK-1.asp
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

I use two.

The first one is an older Greenlee (#1010) which is the pocket/pen type and have found it to be reliable (well, more reliable than any of the others I've had experience with). very simple almost indestructable.

The second one I use is built into my Vol-Con.
This is the GB # VC-1 which for $20us is the best bargain around.. I really can't say enough good things about this tool. The Volt readings use lighted diodes for everything from 24 to 600 (which means for example discriminating between 208 vs 240 vs 277) .

BUT! the real claim to my appreciation are the MAGNETS on the back which allow me to not need that third hand I always seem to leave in the truck when I need it most.

You can attach the meter to a metal pipe box or the can and work the probes freely.
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

Originally posted by BryanR:
The second one I use is built into my Vol-Con.
This is the GB # VC-1 which for $20us is the best bargain around.. I really can't say enough good things about this tool. The Volt readings use lighted diodes for everything from 24 to 600 (which means for example discriminating between 208 vs 240 vs 277) .
Click to expand...
Does it indicate (read) the actual voltage in the non-contact mode?

Or do you have to use the probes to get the voltage reading?

Also, I couldn't find a model #VC-1 in the GB catalog. Are you talking about their model #GVC-1000?

If there is a #VC-1, would you please tell me where I can find info about that model?
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

I guess I'm in the minority as I liked my greenlee, but it was the big adjustable touchless. It was great for quick checks, K&T, two wire, old work. However, despite many attempts to the contrary, I learned to not trust any of them for working hot.

I would give the number but I left it in a damp spot when i blew my knee out, and trying to really dry it back to life, it got a bit too hot. But I liked it over all the little pocket wonders.

paul
 
Re: What's the best non-contact voltage detector?

What voltage ranges are you looking for? Salsbury makes a great one for higher voltage applications.
 
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