Need advice on whats the best non contact voltage tester
 

I keep buying voltage testers, but never last more then 6 months. I have 3 testers in my tool bag, and have gone through 6 in total. I have greenlee and klein voltage testers.

I need some feedback on which brand of tester is heavy duty that will actually last long. I want to buy a good tester that would last for a long time.

Im tired of buying new testers every 4 months.

Q. "Need advice on whats the best non contact voltage tester?"

A. In my opinion none. I prefer multimeters. An analog multimeter is even better for AC voltage.

I had a Greenlee 1010 that lasted about 10 years... and I got that used.
Went through batteries about every year though.

On that basis I'll be buying a GT-11 soon. YMMV.

hth

I"ve had the same problems. I've had a GB for quite some time, and I no longer keep it in my tool bag. It stays in my shirt pocket or in the side tool pocket of my work jeans. They just don't like being buried with tools. I also have a tiny Fluke voltlight LVD1 which I keep clamped on the truck visor. JUst keep 'em out of the tool bag and they will last.

Flukes are the superior testers IMO. Every electrician will have a non contact tester and a troubleshooting tester. the series will vary based on whether they are residential wireman or commercial or both.

If you go the multimeter route ( I don't) the fluke 117 is good.

Ideal and green lee are poor quality in my opinion

I have a GB, but problem is, it picks up stray voltage, due to those things work on magnetic fields, and if you have a line next to, or generating too much magnetic interference, it will pick it up. I use the non-contact, a two lead 120/240/480 probe tester for outlets and such, and a multi-meter. Only time I use the non-contact, is when I am trying to figure out if the line going to one of the many junction boxes downstairs for the Kitchen is dead, due to I still have not gotten around to labeling the panel since moving stuff around still on that side.

I can tell you this, I have dropped a Fluke from four decks up on board ship, and that sucker still worked, and came out testing as good after doing a quick service check on it.

...and there is always the "buy the cheapest, but buy two" option.

Thanks for the feedback.

I probably end up buying a fluke tester, i havent tried the fluke one out yet.

My cheapo Klein from HD has actually been going strong for a while now, even after being dropped a couple times and forgotten in my pocket for days. The green light it puts out when it's not detecting anything is kinda handy when working in dark spaces. I'd never trust it, or any other NCVD, with my life, but it's great for basic troubleshooting and making sure I'm not about to blow a hole in my cutters while wrecking out old NM cable.

In retrospect though, it would have been nice of Klein to use a white LED instead of green for the no-detection indicator. Ever try to figure out wire colors under green illumination?

It's easy, you just use the power of illumination.

Oh, I crack myself up. Remember to tip your waiters and waitresses. I'll be here all week. :laughing:

I will show up next week then!!:laughing:

Thanks K, I have feelings. OK so they are in the truck. :no:

Good place for them.
They will not do you any good here!:jester:

Won't do much good at ET either.