Common Safety Issue | Non-Contact Voltage Testers

Non-Contact Voltage Testers (NCVT) are super common in electrical work and are a handy tool to have around. With that said caution is needed when using this tool as there can be a large safety concern depending on the brand and model you are using. I will review the safety issue and give an example of how to avoid this mistake and minimize the chance of injury

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[yt]

I have been in the electronic field for 40 years. ALWAYS verify how the detector works or if it works every time you use it! Verify on a known good electrical source. Then you know how it sounds and what to expect. I was trained never to use other coworkers' test equipment. You are not aware of the condition of their tester. ALWAYS VERIFY AND WHEN NOT SURE VERIFY AGAIN.

[gordduncan]

Bought a townhouse that had a plastic ceiling light fixture with charring from the use of a too powerful incandescent light bulb. Turned off the power, removed the charred fixture, checked with a NCVT and found that the BOX was HOT!!! When installing a new receptacle upline from the light fixture, someone failed to connect the ground wires and one of them landed on a hot screw! The NCVT saved my life!!

[Tone]

I always test a known, operable power source prior to testing the equipment, outlet, device, fixture, etc I'm going to work on. Never hurts to test things multiple times, especially when dealing with mains energy. The lost time in doing so may keep you alive.

[johnsandlinjr]

As a young apprentice I was taught (even with an actual meter) you test it on a known hot, test the circuit in question, then go back to the known hot. Eliminating any doubt.

[BrettBell]

I thought you would be talking about the NCVT recall from Klein Tools here, but that is a slightly different issue. They actually had some people get shocked which prompted a massive recall of some of their most popular non-contact voltage testers. The issue was that if you held down the power button the tool would keep showing that green light which tells you that the tool is on and that there is no power detected. But since you are holding it down, it does not fully turn the tool on and is not actually testing for voltage. It is only showing the green light so you get a false negative, thinking there is no power since the light is green. I shipped mine back a week ago and they're sending out a new one that doesn't have this problem.

[jimgallagher]

Klein had a recall about a month ago on the basic model NCVT-1. I received an email from Home Depot concerning this because I had purchased one from them.
In this case the green light would stay on indicating a safe condition even though there was voltage present. I returned my tester to Klein but so far I haven't gotten a response.
I worked in the field as a technician for 30 years and always used a meter. The plug in voltage testers are also very handy and helpful.
I don't think I would ever trust a NCVT alone. It is the first step but always confirm with my meter.
Thanks for the helpful info.

[TheExtremeElementz]

I’m a new home owner and love learning all this new stuff you are putting out content wise. Thank you for your hard work with these videos!

[Quadrille]

I always put the NCVT Next to a lamp cord that I know has power so not an issue

[marcberm]

A little extra safety never hurts. Non-contact testers are great for some things, like identifying circuits and quickly identifying where a problem may exist, but I like to check the screw terminals with a cheap old neon tester as I'm performing work just to be sure.

[hjlelow]

Great informative video! I’m in HVAC and I just purchased the NCVT-3P. That’s a huge difference you pointed out between the two testers. I could easily imagine getting shocked using the NCVT-3. It’s not an excuse but sometimes I’ll ASSUME things are working when I’m rushing to get things done. That’s where the 3P model would help protect me like you explained. I’m gonna share this with the guys at work. You might be saving someone from injury or death by putting out this video. Thank you for sharing!

[davidkahler]

I like my cheapo Sperry one the best - you have to hold the button down to keep it on. No thinking it's on but it timed out and turned off or whatever.

[georgedavall]

Just picked this up the other day, and it’s the best NCVT I’ve used. Thanks Scott! You’re a good source of useful and helpful information. Hope you’re doing well. 👍👍👍😁✌🏻🇺🇸

[mathewlang]

I try to always perform some type of Proof-Positive test on any testing equipment I am using. I would just test my voltage detector where I know voltage is live. I do this not just in electrical issues but many others.

[ericprice]

Thanks for the video. I am DIY guy for last 40 years before non contact voltage tester OR plug in outlet tester existed. Way back at teen, I would just plug in table lamp in Outlet I was going to work on PLUS turn on ceiling light PLUS one more 120V item in another outlet in that room. Then turn off main panel breakers until ALL of those were OFF. Then I replaced the outlet. Fast forward 20 years and I would plug in outlet tester to receptacle to be worked + ceiling light in room + another 120V item in another receptacle in room and turn off breakers until ALL were off. Then I would STILL test that receptacle with multimeter set to 200VAC. LOL-just today for first time in my life I bought Ames AVP-600 non contact voltage tester which I will use in conjunction with good ol 120V outlet tester before I work on 120V outlet or GFCI

[jimbaker]

Great advice! As soon as you were done with this video I went directly to my toolbox and checked out my non-contact voltage tester.It tells you that your battery is good by lighting up momentarily. Even though it does that I always check it out with a known hot source.I’ll be going to Home Depot tomorrow to get a better one.

[JRBlood]

I make it a habit to rub the non-contact tester I use on my shirt or pants to see if it's working just before testing an outlet. The static electricity you generate by rubbing it briskly should trigger the alarm and light.

[SavageVoyageur]

I’ve been using these testers for many years now. I bought the Klein NCVT 3P today. Love the thing, works great. Just another tool in my box to keep me safe.

[Richards_Maintenance_Service]

I've used the -2 klein model for a few years. Outlet testers are fine usually but that open hot condition could also mean open neutral and ground since it needs some sort of completed circuit to light an led. Great video bro.

[youdontgettoknow]

By simple good fortune, I already had the 3P. I didn't even know you could buy one without a on/no voltage indicator. I'm pretty new to all this.

[bryanlendroth]

Another thing to note is how they actually work. They do so by using YOU as a ground reference to complete a complete circuit. So if you aren't a good ground (standing on rubber mat, using non-conductive gloves, etc.) it will not detect the presence of AC, which could be lethal. Just learned that about 10 minutes ago. Good to know!