What kind of Outlet tester do you use?

[Herman F. Guzman]

Good morning, I use two type's of tester's one is the Commercial electric
HGFI-1302 outlet circuit & GFI tester and the GREENLEE GT-11 Voltage Detector. In have found that these two tester's do everything that I need. The only other device that I want on my x-mas list is a Thermal Imaging camera. I hope that helps you.

Frank

[bsumpter]

Originally Posted by rray

I've never heard that term before. What is it?

No power being drawn through the branch....no load.

[Justin Watts]

Ray,
I agree with you... a home inspection is a "general" inspection. I like to compare the medical professionals and home inspectors...

Just like in the medical field... You first see your Primary doctor, if the Doc. finds something that could lead to a bigger problem, he/she refers you to a specialist, surgeon, etc. etc.

Same with our field, its our job to discover any problems that should be seen with the naked eye.... and if other problems exist that the General Doc. / home inspector can't assist with... Pass on to a specialist..

[Justin Watts]

Ray,
I agree with you... a home inspection is a "general" inspection. I like to compare the medical profession with home inspections... Home Inspectors are similar to General Doctors in relation to homes being our "area of study"....

Just like in the medical field... You first see your Primary doctor, if the Doc. finds something that could lead to a bigger problem or needs further diagnosis "further evaluation", he/she refers you to a specialist, surgeon, etc. etc.

Same with our field, its our job to discover any problems that should be seen with the naked eye.... and if other problems exist that the General Doc. can't assist with... Pass on to a specialist..

[Bruce D. Pinel]

Regarding AFCI testers, I came across a UL letter dtd. 3/21/05 that states that testing at the devices does not produce consistent results. SQ-D followed with a "white Paper" that is available at their site. Bottom line, both say they should be tested at the panel.

"Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Tester? Not Really.

The proper way to test an AFCI is to use the push-to-test button located on the device.
Using an AFCI indicator, also referred to as an “AFCI tester,” may yield confusing and conflicting results."

[William J. Decker]

I use the latest Suretest.

If you try the conductor impedance test for the ground it should trip GFCI and AFCI in a much more reliable way.

But the isolated neutral test (for GFCI) is good.

I have scoped this out and set up controlled tests. Even though the cheezy connections inside give a no-ground condition sometimes (easily correctable with some fine wire and solder), I have found it to be the best all around tester available.

Just my 2 cents.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by bsumpter

No power being drawn through the branch....no load.

Can there be voltage if there's no load? Confused.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by rray

Can there be voltage if there's no load? Confused.

If there is a potential (i.e. a difference in voltage between two different conductors, as measured in voltage (i.e. electrical 'potential') there is 'voltage'.)

Just because there is no load (i.e. "work to be done") does not mean that there is no 'potental' work available to be done.

Think of a garden hose. It has an open water supply. It has 'pressure' (i.e. 'voltage') but the water is not floating because the nozzle on the end of the hose is not open. If one were to open the nozzle, the water would flow and work could be done (i.e. hosing down your little brother who had really P*ssed you off).

Hope this helps;

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by wdecker

Hope this helps

It did. Thanks.