Re: Troubleshooting Electrical Outlet

In article <1135796401.008599.143310@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
spudnuty@xxxxxxxxx says...
>
> Keith Williams wrote:
> > In article <1135779099.537142.326530@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> > upand_at_them@xxxxxxxxx says...
> > > Don Young wrote:
> > > > Troubleshooting with a digital voltmeter is also not a good idea; a
> > > > test lamp is much better.
> > >
> > > Why isn't a multimeter a good idea? He's measuring volts, not current,
> > > so it won't blow the meter.
> >
> > Digital multimeters have a very high input impedance and can read
> > high values on open circuits because of the capacitive coupling
> > between wires. A test lamp is a low impedance device so any
> > capacitive coupling becomes insignificant. If you really need to
> > know what the voltage is, use both (load the circuit and read with
> > the meter).
> > >
> > > A test lamp is a good idea. He could also pick up one of those outlet
> > > testers for a few dollars.
> >
> > A "three-light tester" should be in everyone's toolbox. Another
> > tool I've found to be quite valuable is a non-contact voltage
> > probe.
> >
> > --
> > Keith
> I love my non contact tester, I think it's a GC. I have noticed one
> thing and that is you can get a false positive if you're holding the
> tester and near or standing on an extension cord. I guess it
> capacitively couples to the voltage source. Still better than a false
> negative :<).

Indeed. I'm pretty careful even with the NC tester. A false-
negative could ruin one's day.

--
Keith
.

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