Best Outlet Tester For Homeowners Taking On Electrical Projects

Having an outlet tester is a must for any homeowner taking on DIY electrical projects around the house. The question is which one should you buy and are there additional features that are worth investing a bit more money? I will walk through 4 examples starting off with a simple outlet tester and stepping up to a very capable circuit analyzer to show you the information you need to make the right choice for your electrical projects.

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[EverydayHomeRepairs]

Links To Testers Used In Video

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[scotto]

I have the RT250. I bought it just because I thought it would be cool to have and it's not expensive. Plus, I already have two multimeters. Within a month I used it to diagnose an issue at both my sister's house and my daughter's house. Then one day I walked through my house for no reason and tested every outlet. Two outlets came up "missing ground". I pulled the outlets out and sure enough, the ground wire had come unattached from the screw terminal on both outlets. I'm guessing it happened several years ago when I did a remodel and replaced all the outlets. Probably fell off when I pushed the outlet into the box. Which kind of scares me that I was that inattentive to something that important.

[bbol]

As someone who works on RVs I think I might buy an RT 390. I like the load test features. I frequently come across people who are living in a stationary RV that is on either their own land or a family members property and is far from the power source, sometimes by 75FT or more. You might be in a dedicated 20 or 30 amp circuit but if your 100FT away on a 12 AWG cord from harbor freight it may cause problems with voltage drop and compressors on ACs and refrigerators/ freezers not starting. This can give me real numbers instantly rather than having to turn on high draw items, like a heater or microwave, then measure the voltage, a real time saver. I also like that I can use a longer cord to plug into awkwardly placed outlets and sit or stand in a comfortable position to see the screen.

[richinoregon]

I have the RT250, and the nice thing about it, is the results remain on the display for about 30 seconds after it is removed from the outlet, so if the outlet is in a confined space or upside down you can still read the results.

[salembeeman]

This guy always has the best information. I hope he is making money for all the b great content he puts out.😊

[BeeWhere]

When I got my house I discovered my breaker pannel was only partially labled. Got the Klein Et310 so I could map out which plugs on each breaker. Super helpful

[radondar]

I bought a RT250 a long time ago and it changed my life. Beyond what’s stated the other benefit is that in places where you’re short on space or if plugs are upside down, then when you unplug it stays as it was for memory.

[allenjones]

The RT250 saved my bacon. I have three outdoor outlets on which I wanted to upgrade the weatherproof covers. I tripped the GFCI with the RT250, and it shut off the circuits as expected. Fortunately, I tested them to verify they were off. Out of the three, two were, while one was still hot. Tried to trip the GFCI on the hot one, but no go, the display still read 119 VAC. Woops! Builder and inspector error! Since that circuit gets used a lot in damp environments, I am fortunate no electrocution ever occurred. Needless to say, that oversight got fixed really fast, and the RT250 was instrumental in recognizing the problem.

[donrpemberton]

great job Professional. I'd recommend the RT390. for both professionals and homeowners.

[jwhite]

I have the RT250. As someone who came from an RT210-type device, it took a while to get used to turning it on! I'd plug it into an outlet, and nothing! Then realized I needed to hit the power switch! It's a shame they couldn't have modified their circuity to use the presence of voltage as the on switch (with the existing switch as a manual on/off switch).

Two observations:
- For the RT250, it (I believe) displayed the GFCI trip time as 0.01 sec, ie. 10msec. But the more advanced meters measured it as 53msec. That seems like a big difference. The 0.01 reading would infer that it can read accurately down to tenths of msec.
- For the load test, for the 20A test, it measured over the 5% alert threshold? Was that because it was on a 15A circuit? Initially i thought for all new wiring and receptacle (for the test setup), it should test clean. Then I wondered about 20A vs 15A. Or, if maybe it was the rest of your wiring that may not be in ideal conditions.

[bobhall]

Hi Scott, love your channel. I am not a licensed electrician, but have done work under a licensed pro in the telecom industry. I also have taught a grounding class in the past. Totally a DIYer these days and recently purchased the Klein ET310 tester, it comes with a detachable RT210 that is also a transmitter that you use with the hand held receiver to identity which AC breaker controls that circuit. You simply scan the receiver down the circuit breakers one by one until you hear the sound change. Very cool tool!

[redwireless]

As it turns out, my (very) old Radio Shack mmeter is in its last days. As a diyer with a strict budget, the 3rd option (I believe its the 270) with the added receptacle plug/feature is def the right choice at the right time! Having done receptacles' inspections lots of time safely, I always get anxious about prongs in outlets - no more with this one, PLUS you get the basic and most used voltmeter, continuity etc feats all into one. Getting this one asap! Thanks for the vid and review! 🔴

[grubbb]

I really enjoyed your video! One of the clearest and most concise I've seen across multiple subjects! I am a DIY but I also look after a campground so get to do lots of electrical stuff. (I'm not an electrician but have my work checked when required - mostly initial install stuff, then trouble shooting) so these tools really help. Thanks for the excellent video - I'm subscribed now!

[bw]

Just bought a 390 a couple weeks ago! Glad I did before this video creates a run on them. I’m a EE and homeowner who does most of my own projects.

[salembeeman]

At my age it's hard to justify spending more money as I have a multimeter, outlet tester and breaker identifier. However, I do like the last one as it shows more info.

[vladpeterman]

Thank you so much, your channel is always so useful and practical, I find something in every video

[bmcc]

nice video - helpful explanations... I'm sticking with my boring old 'standard' outlet tester and my separate multimeter for more complicated analysis... Kinda neat that the others measure the time it takes to trip the GFCI but for me it's either seemingly 'instant' or its broken and needs replacing...

[markm]

Important to note: The RT390 does not properly test newer CAFCI breakers. Older AFCI or AFCI+GFI breakers do trip. I found this out on QO breakers in my own home.

[michaellee]

YouTube is the most incredible thing on earth

[ElectroAtletico]

DIY here (ex-Electrical Apprentice, Electronic hobbyist). I have the basic GFCI Outlet tester (Commercial Electric), and was looking to purchase, for the hell of it, an outlet tester with LCD. Only $20, so I may just pull the trigger on it. Nevertheless, I always back everything up with my highly reliable Fluke 115 (and that includes battery testing).