Voltage testers allow electricians to easily and quickly check power on different sources of electricity. They are simple to use as you just have to press the on button and hold it close to the wires on which you need to verify if there is electricity flowing. It will show you if it detects power or not so that you can proceed accordingly. Voltage testers apart from helping you save time on detecting electricity flowing, they can help you to prevent painful and deadly shocks.
Since there are many types of voltage testers available out there, choosing one suitable for you may be a major issue. This guide is intended to provide reliable information so that you can choose the right voltage tester for you to satisfy your needs. The following list is a set of voltage testers which are among the best on the market up to now.
Fluke 1AC-A1-II VoltAlert Non-Contact Voltage Tester
This is a top-notch pen, which can test voltage between 90 and 1,000 volts and be transported comfortably in a tool pouch or your pocket. The tip emits a red color light as an alert when voltage is detected.
To indicate that the pen is properly functioning, the 1AC-A1-11 comes with a continuous self-test indicator. This voltage tester also features a loud beep to indicate that it is detecting power, but it also can be disabled when being in silent areas. This device is powered by two AAA batteries and comes with an automatic shutoff feature when it is not working in order to prolong battery life.
Sperry Instruments STK001 Non-Contact Voltage Tester
If you want to get a cost-effective voltage tester, the STK001 Non-Contact Voltage Tester from Sperry Instruments may be a choice to take into account . This pen tester is composed of a plug-in outlet tester so that you can easily test wires and outlets at the same time.
With this pen tester, voltages between 50 and 1000 volts can be effortlessly detected. Once it detects voltage, It will emit a loud beep and the clear plastic that encloses the bulb will produce a red light. This tool is powered by one AAA battery and it comes with a low-battery indicator to make sure it is working. Voltage, open neutrals, open hots, and reversed polarities can be easily identified by this outlet tester. Finally, it can check Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter(GFCI) outlets to guarantee they work appropriately.
Fluke T6-1000 PRO Electrical Tester
When a fast and effective way is required to test wires and take a measurement without having to find a junction or outlet, the Fluke T6-1000 PRO Electrical Tester is the best choice to consider. It is able to detect voltage and gauge it without interrupting connections and if you want the T6-1000 to verify if there is power running through wires, you just need to slide the testing fork on it.
Other characteristics you may look for on a multimeter come with the T6-1000, including DC and AC, amperage, and resistance measurements. Lastly, this tester features alligator clips, swappable test leads, and a pouch to carry and keep it at hand anytime you want to use it.
Klein Tools NCVT-4IR Voltage Tester
The Klein Tools NCVT-4IR Voltage Tester is an excellent choice for electrical work with hot equipment like boilers, furnaces or industrial machinery.This model not only detect voltages from 12 to 1000 voltages, but also comes with an integrated infrared thermometer ,which is able to detect temperatures within a range of -22 and 482 degrees Fahrenheit, providing safe, hands-free temperature checks.It includes an integrated laser point that provides more exact measurements.
This pen tester is composed of a led system in two colors. One of them is a white signal that means that the pen is working and the other signal is red, which indicates that voltage has been identified. Two AAA batteries, which have an integrated shutoff system to prolong their life, provide energy to this pen tester.
Fluke FLK2AC/90-1000V Pocket-Sized Voltage Detector
The majority of pen testers can be easily attached to a pants pocket or fit with no problem into a shirt pocket whereas others are quite large to be easily kept in the same pockets. The FLK2AC Pocket-Sized Voltage detector from Fluke isn’t like that as it is 534 inches long and 34 inches thick, making it simple to fit into a pocket. As it weighs 10.6 ounces, it won’t bother you once you wear it attached to your shirt.
The FLK2AC detects voltages from 90 and 1000 volts and for indicating it, it emits a red light and beeps. Lastly, this voltage tester is powered by two AAA batteries and to prevent them from accidentally draining, and it comes with an automatic shutoff.
Neoteck Voltage Detector Pen
It is a simple-to-use voltage tester and easy to carry anywhere you want as you can perfectly place it inside your pocket. This voltage tester also features an integrated LED display, which makes it easy to light your workplace to have better visibility, especially when working in dark places.
Now that this pen is compatible with a wide variety of electrical systems, you can make use of it in many ways. So, if you are looking for a versatile tester, you should definitely go for this one. Furthermore, once electrical pulses flowing along wires are identified, this voltage tester immediately emits a light and a beep sound is produced.
Southwire Advanced AC Non Contact Voltage Tester
With this voltage tester users can have two choices for voltage detection as it comes with low and standard voltage settings, being the low choice able to level between 12v and 1000v and the standard detection range between 100v and 1000v.
The integrated flashlight and beep indicators of the tester allow users to monitor outlets and electric wires and if you want that its flash lights turn on and its beep alarm emits a sound to obtain results fast, you should get the tester close to the voltage source. In this way you can effortlessly know the power source in no time. This tool also comes with a built-in flashlight which illuminates the surrounding work area, especially when working through the night or places where light is barely present. Now that this voltage tester is fully IP67 rated, you do not have to worry about external elements such as water and dust, which may affect the voltage tester’s effectiveness. Additionally, for a longer durability this voltage tester is made with sturdy materials.
Auroland Non-Contact AC Circuit Tester Tool
This tester is powered by two AAA batteries and it comes with an exclusive battery life indicator, which is a great help for avoiding inconveniences when working in case of running out of battery. This voltage tester has an adaptable sensitivity setting that depending on the task you are carrying on, you can change it.
Furthermore, this device comes with an alarm beep and a light indicator. Both of them indicate how close the voltage tester is close to the power source. Lastly, to extend it’s battery life, this device can automatically power off if it does not identify action or activity for 3 minutes.
Gardner Bender Circuit Non-Contact Voltage Tester
With this voltage tester, one simple touch is more than enough to detect electricity on a connection you intend to work on as it allows you to know if there is voltage flowing through outlets, wires and complete electrical systems, being able to accurately check voltages between 50V and 600V.
When this voltage tester identifies electricity current, it immediately displays audible and visual indicators, which are a loud constant alarm noise and a 360° red light respectively. To conclude, this device not only includes a one-year warranty, but also guarantees a good after-sales service in case that the device has flaws and hardware problems.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Voltage Tester
Before buying a voltage tester, you must take into account that a good voltage tester is portable, offers accurate checking and has features to effectively and reliably inform users if voltage is present on wires or complete electrical systems.
The list above includes a wide variety of voltage testers, from budget options to professional devices, the latter ones being able to measure temperature, frequency, voltage, and resistance . All of them may differ in price and additional characteristics for meeting your needs. So, it is up to you and your budget to choose the best one for you. Also, If you want to choose a voltage tester, you should take into account the following aspects.
Design
Pen testers, outlet testers, and multimeters are the most common voltage tester designs available out there.
Pen testers have the shape of a thick pen or marker. To use it, you just need to turn it on and make contact with the wire on which you want to identify power.You can also make use of the tip to check for voltage when you insert it into an outlet.
Outlet testers have a similar size of an electrical plug and when being directly connected into an outlet, they can operate. They are designed to test for voltage (and in most cases, polarity, to ensure that the outlet is properly wired), but when it comes to testing circuits outside of an outlet, they simply cannot do it.
Multimeters combine the best of pen and outlet testers, but they are larger than both of them. The multimeters have grooves or hooks around a wire in order to spot voltage and leads for checking contacts such as outlets and terminals. Check out our full review on the Klein MM700 multimeter here!
Functionality
Voltage testers are typically used to detect alternating current, such as the electricity that is found at homes or businesses. However, they are not effective for identifying direct current in a car.
That does not mean they are for the same purpose. Some pen testers come with built-in features such as flashlights, measuring lasers, and infrared thermometers. Many outlet testers can detect if the wiring is backward. Multimeters can measure AC and DC voltage, resistance, amperage and others.
Compatibility
You should keep in mind that all voltage testers cannot be used with every electrical device you come across. For instance, certain kinds of voltage, or voltages outside the detection range of the tester will not trigger an alert.
Pen and outlet testers are great for checking electricity in the home, such as switches, outlets and fixtures, but they are in most cases useless when it is needed to identify problems in a vehicle’s electrical system. As many pen testers come with voltage operating ranges varying from 90 to 1000 volts, some of them may not detect low voltages.
Longevity
If you are looking for long-term use and durability, pick a voltage tester from one of the reputable manufacturers available in the market now that these companies focus their efforts on creating high-quality electrical tools for experts and their products are so good that many users still use meters and testers they bought years ago. You must also consider battery life. Automatic shutoff is a feature available in most of the high-quality voltage testers. To extend battery life, the tester will automatically shut off if it does not detect voltage within a specific period of time, normally being around 15 minutes.
FAQs
Are voltage testers and multimeters the same?
No, Although some multimeters include voltage testers, multimeters and voltage testers are different. While multimeters can be used to measure the voltage, amperage, and resistance of a fixture or circuit, voltage testers are limited to indicate the presence of voltage.
Are voltage testers safe?
Voltage testers are definitely safe devices now that they are normally insulated to avoid current transfer to your body . So, you do not have to worry about suffering a deadly shock because of electricity.
How can I determine if the tester is working?
While the majority of voltage testers come with battery lights that automatically inform you when the tester is running, others may need that you activate the battery test.Given that you are not sure if your voltage tester is working or not, check an outlet you know functions to see if it is running.
Check out this Youtube video for more info!
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