Comments on: Fluke LVD1 Non-Contact Voltage Detector http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Sparkydave http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-214308 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:39:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-214308 Being in the electrical field for 20 years now, we have a saying for these types of testers. They are commonly referred to as the DEATH STICK!!, why? They often give false readings, indicating live wires when they are not and vice versa. The ONLY way any of my people will test a circuit is with a wiggy. (solenoid type tester) If my life depends on it, there is no way an electronic device with a battery is sufficient. Don't get me wrong here, I own one as well, but you had better know what you are doing. You may not get a second chance..be safe Being in the electrical field for 20 years now, we have a saying for these types of testers. They are commonly referred to as the DEATH STICK!!, why?
They often give false readings, indicating live wires when they are not and vice versa. The ONLY way any of my people will test a circuit is with a wiggy. (solenoid type tester) If my life depends on it, there is no way an electronic device with a battery is sufficient. Don’t get me wrong here, I own one as well, but you had better know what you are doing. You may not get a second chance..be safe

]]> by: Zathrus http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204381 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:36:30 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204381 A circuit tracer and a voltage detector are (usually) two different things. Tracers are great for sticking in an outlet, going to the breaker box, and finding the right breaker to turn off. Voltage detectors are more useful for ensuring that that the sheathed conduit in front of you that leads to who-knows-where is actually off. Or for checking that the power is off to a switch or light fixture prior to rewiring. They're both useful! A circuit tracer and a voltage detector are (usually) two different things. Tracers are great for sticking in an outlet, going to the breaker box, and finding the right breaker to turn off. Voltage detectors are more useful for ensuring that that the sheathed conduit in front of you that leads to who-knows-where is actually off. Or for checking that the power is off to a switch or light fixture prior to rewiring.

They’re both useful!

]]> by: Julian Tracy http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204368 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:20:40 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204368 I'll add that I now have a real circuit tracer (3M) and I no longer need to use my voltage detector for verbal confirmation, so I'll probably pick one of these up cause it would be very handy to have a little flashlight always in the electrical kit bag. JT I’ll add that I now have a real circuit tracer (3M) and I no longer need to use my voltage detector for verbal confirmation, so I’ll probably pick one of these up cause it would be very handy to have a little flashlight always in the electrical kit bag.

JT

]]> by: Julian Tracy http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204367 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:18:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204367 That's slick looking, but I'm currently using a GreenLee (I think), that has the little prong to stick in an outlet and it useful as you can stick it in the outlet and it'll stay (most times). You can hear the beeping tone through a good portion of the house - often good enough to go into the basement and shut off the breaker and hear the beeping stop to confirm. That’s slick looking, but I’m currently using a GreenLee (I think), that has the little prong to stick in an outlet and it useful as you can stick it in the outlet and it’ll stay (most times).

You can hear the beeping tone through a good portion of the house - often good enough to go into the basement and shut off the breaker and hear the beeping stop to confirm.

]]> by: Phil http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204089 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:00:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-204089 I've had one of these for a few years. It's tiny enough to keep on my keychain, so it's always handy, and the big bonus is that it operates on a single AAA cell. No oddball combinations of coin cells that are short lived and hard to find like those used in almost all small LED lights. The voltage detection works as expected, with the initially blue indicator turning red as the detected voltage is approached and is higher than about 70 volts. Highly recommended. I’ve had one of these for a few years. It’s tiny enough to keep on my keychain, so it’s always handy, and the big bonus is that it operates on a single AAA cell. No oddball combinations of coin cells that are short lived and hard to find like those used in almost all small LED lights.

The voltage detection works as expected, with the initially blue indicator turning red as the detected voltage is approached and is higher than about 70 volts. Highly recommended.

]]> by: Bill http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-203785 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:48:38 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-203785 One caveat for those who don't already know, these voltage detectors will not detect hot elec wires shielded in metal conduit or armored cable. That being said I carry one at work all the time and I'm not in the trades. But when I'm doing a fire investigation and there are any exposed wires about, I pull out my detector and check first, I don't care who says the power has been turned off. Please remember, and I've seen this, even if the main has been switched off or the utility has cut the power at the pole, you never know if someone stealing electricity has tapped into someone else electricity, or is back feeding whatever wire you're about to touch. One caveat for those who don’t already know, these voltage detectors will not detect hot elec wires shielded in metal conduit or armored cable. That being said I carry one at work all the time and I’m not in the trades. But when I’m doing a fire investigation and there are any exposed wires about, I pull out my detector and check first, I don’t care who says the power has been turned off. Please remember, and I’ve seen this, even if the main has been switched off or the utility has cut the power at the pole, you never know if someone stealing electricity has tapped into someone else electricity, or is back feeding whatever wire you’re about to touch.

]]> by: Eric http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-203778 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:34:39 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/14/the-fluke-lvd1-non-contact-voltage-detector/#comment-203778 I have not used this model specifically, but I ALWAYS have a voltage detector in my tool kit when I work on electrical. And when I used to manage a group of grocery-store installation mechanics, I insisted that each mechanic have (and use!) a voltage detector before working on refrigerated cases or food-prep equipment. It is absolutely the best way to insure that the juice is off before poking around a circuit. The model I use (which is also from Fluke) has an audible beep as well as a light. When I do repair work at my parent's house, I like to have this around just to prove to my Mom (who is absolutely scared of electricity and the chance I might get shocked) that all is safe. I suggest that anyone who does electrical work, even just an occasional switch/fixture replacement around the house, has one of these. I have not used this model specifically, but I ALWAYS have a voltage detector in my tool kit when I work on electrical. And when I used to manage a group of grocery-store installation mechanics, I insisted that each mechanic have (and use!) a voltage detector before working on refrigerated cases or food-prep equipment. It is absolutely the best way to insure that the juice is off before poking around a circuit. The model I use (which is also from Fluke) has an audible beep as well as a light. When I do repair work at my parent’s house, I like to have this around just to prove to my Mom (who is absolutely scared of electricity and the chance I might get shocked) that all is safe. I suggest that anyone who does electrical work, even just an occasional switch/fixture replacement around the house, has one of these.

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