All You Need To Know About Non-Contact Voltage Testers
Being one of the sought-after tools in the market, Fluke’s non-contact devices take center stage. Fluke being able to create tools that can help workers take tests and measurements from a safe distance is one of its defining features. Expect that almost half of the test tools will have this winning function.
On the other hand, non-contact voltage testers don’t stray far from its family of digital multimeters. Only this time, they offer a more direct approach to detecting voltages. Not to mention, they are also very handy in terms of sizes. Here, we will be discussing all you need to know about them!
What is a Non-Contact Voltage Tester?
For staff in the electrical, industrial, and maintenance departments, this is a huge sigh of relief. Gone are the days of hesitant testing and risking people’s safety. To put it plainly, non-contact voltage testers are used to see if the voltage is present or not. Additionally, this tool can also detect mis wires of electrical outlets.
This portable tool is very well-liked for its simple and quick approach to see if the harmful voltage is taking place within your outlets or electrical panels. What is better? It does not entail a lot of buttons pushing or navigating, but it is mostly favored by maintenance people for its direct approach.
Choosing the right Non-Contact Voltage Tester for you.
There are diverse types of non-voltage testers. It’s best if you assess the operations, you usually do before purchasing a non-contact voltage tester to make the most out of it. Plus, keep value in mind when looking at non-contact voltage tester prices and remember that the best price does not necessarily equal the best value. With this said, take note of these Fluke non-contact voltage testers to determine the one for you.
Fluke 1AC II VoltAlert™ Non-Contact Voltage Detector
The Fluke 1AC II Volt Alert is perfect if you need a high-performing tool for general voltage detection. Uneasy leaving tools to shut down on its own? This non-voltage detector comes with an on/off switch of your convenience.
Here are more of its notable capabilities:
- Voltage range: 90 V to 1000 V AC
- Voltbeat™ technology and continuous self-test — so you always know it is working
- Voltage indication: tip glows and beeper sounds (beeper can be disabled)
- Safety: CAT IV 1000 V
- On-off switch for maximum battery life
Fluke 2AC VoltAlert™ Non-Contact Voltage Detector
The Fluke 2AC Volt Alert is perfect for people who usually work in environments wherein sight indication is more preferred than sound. If you are a person who’s always on the go and needs a ready stead voltage detector, then the Fluke 2AC VoltAlert is the one for you. Although it still does feature audio beep voltage indicators, so technically speaking it’s just a tad bit more advanced than Fluke 1AC considering its extra features.
Here are more of its notable capabilities:
- 90 V to 1000 V AC voltage range
- Voltage indication: tip glows
- Voltage indication: audio beeper for quiet environments
- Safety: CAT IV 1000 V
- Always on, using special low power circuitry to sustain battery life and ensure your 2AC is always ready
- ‘Battery Check’ function ensures battery is in good condition
How do non-contact voltage testers work?
As we’ve mentioned, it is very simple and direct. Just touch the tip of your non-contact voltage tester to an electrical strip and wait for a beeping sound. Also, watch if the point turns either red or green. Red light indicates that high voltage is present while a green light tells that the wire does not harbor any dangerous voltages.
Here are things you should also remember when operating a non-contact voltage tester…
- The tip glows red and a beeper sounds when voltage is detected
- A loud, easy to hear beeper will sound and the tip will glow red when voltage is detected
- Optionally, the beeper can be disabled for use in quiet environments
- Continuous self-test so you always know it is working
- When the tip blinks red you know it is working properly
- Provides a continual visual indication that the 1AC II is on
- 90 V to 1000 V AC or 200 V to 1000 V AC voltage detection range for wide application use.
- Wide voltage detection range allows for use in a broad range of applications
- Also available in a low voltage model from 20 V to 90 V AC for controls circuits
Can I get shocked while using a voltage tester?
We know, it is the complete irony for a device to be called “non-contact” and still require contact when being used. However, if your concern is getting shocked then let us put you at ease. Fluke specializes in making tools that prevent workers from getting hurt, and this does not leave out the Fluke voltage testers.
Considering shocks, make sure that you are using and holding your voltage tester properly. Doing so will shield you from shocks. Only hold them on the insulated handle when you are undergoing an operation.
Okay, so we’ve touched up where to hold your voltage tester. Now, let us talk about watching where you are placing your other free hand. Make sure that it is not touching something that will expose you to live currents still (if ever the insulation fails).
Another word of advice, never undergo testing without wearing the proper personal protective equipment. Tools are just covering one part in protecting you from electrocution but having your PPE will provide you the complete safety and confidence you need when you’re working with these kinds of projects.
Some non-contact voltage testers can show a false positive or negative if…
Environmental factors can play a key role in getting accurate data from test tools. These are things that you need to consider, and from time to time, adjust to. Like all tools alike, the non-contact voltage tester is not different. At times, the device may show false positive or negative results. This is why it is especially important for you and your safety to take note of what is causing them for prevention purposes.
Reasons for false positive or negative:
- The insulated test point touches grounded metal
- The cable being evaluated is partially buried
- The user is isolated from ground
- The tester is used inside a metal enclosure
- The cable is shielded
- The battery is dead
The difference from other non-contact Fluke devices.
Fluke’s main priority is developing test tools that will keep workers and maintenance people safe in every operation. And to this day, they have kept their promise of providing workers the best test tools there are. This superbly handy non-contact voltage tester, however, differs from most since, well, it is smaller with more direct functions. No need to press a lot of buttons, no complicated navigation, and you will not even spend time reading the manual for this one. That is one of the winning factors of this test tool.
Purchase from an authentic source!
Hey, you made it to the bottom! Are you currently looking for the best-performing test tools in the market to run daily maintenance checks on your machines? You are in luck cause Presidium PH is an authorized distributor of Fluke test tools in the Philippines.
If you want to know more about Fluke tools and their functions, visit our website for more info! This is a one-stop shop for the best test tools within Metro Manila.
Fluke 1AC: https://presidium.ph/product/fluke-1ac-a1-ii-non-contact-voltage-tester/
Fluke 2AC: https://presidium.ph/product/fluke-2ac-non-contact-voltage-tester/