Indicator screwdriver: how to use, voltage indicator, probe and tester

At the household level, everyone is faced with electricity every day. Everyone knows how dangerous it can be. Each contact with it requires the adoption of measures that will protect us from its effects. All work must be performed on de-energized electrical equipment. To make sure of this condition, you need to know how to use an indicator screwdriver to check that there is no voltage.

The principle of operation of the screwdriver - probe

Any owner must have a multipurpose and understandable tool for safe work in power grids. Using it, you can safely repair and install wiring, troubleshoot home appliances. Design

the device is uncomplicated and does not contain a significant number of components. The basis of such a device is:

• Dielectric tube with metal tip.
• Resistance with a high denomination.
• Signal lamp.
• Spring retainer.
• Plate contact.

The operation of a screwdriver - voltage indicator is based on the flow of current from the tip of the probe to the ground through the following electrical circuit: resistance - lamp - tester contact - human body. In the presence of voltage, the light display will work. A resistor with a high resistance reduces the size of the potential to a harmless one for the master.

How to choose an indicator

Power problems in your home can be quickly and safely resolved with a properly working tool. The accuracy of the probe's readings will not only help in repairs, but also save life. Therefore, the acquisition of such a device is taken very seriously.

First of all, the following preference criteria are taken into account:

• Dimensions and appearance of the screwdriver itself.
• The body must not contain mechanical damage.
• The indicator fits comfortably in the hand.
• A self-powered probe is more functional.
• The light indication, a conventional incandescent lamp, LED or halogen, must be clearly visible.
• An audible signal will help in case of bright room lighting.
• Instruments equipped with a display will be able to show additional information.
• Well-known manufacturers make better products

Differences between devices of different types

There are a large assortment of voltage detectors in stores for every taste and wallet. The most popular are the following modifications:

1. A simple device with a signal component and a contact for human interaction. A neon lamp or bell is used to indicate the presence of voltage. Sometimes they are combined. When the nose of the indicator comes into contact with the intended power source, electric current flows through the circuit devices on touch contact. It is located at the end of the indicator and serves as a link between the charged stream and the human hand. Thanks to this touch, the circuit is closed to the ground. If voltage is present at the touch point, the lamp inside the probe body will illuminate. Such a reaction indicates the danger of electric shock. The use of such devices is limited by the possibility of detecting voltages less than 60 volts. It is also not recommended to use probes in the settings of 0.4 kilovolts due to the induced voltage of adjacent phases. These disadvantages make it possible to use such indicators exclusively at home in single-phase networks.
2. The tester with display detects undervoltage. Works like the previous sample. Screwdriver - current indicator with battery and LED is a multi-purpose device that does not need direct contact with the power source. A bipolar transistor has been added to its composition. Such devices are intended, in addition to establishing the absence of voltage, to determine damage in cable networks, clarification of poles in DC circuits. It can also detect the location of hidden wiring.
3. The electronic probe is equipped with a small LCD screen and soundtrack. This is the most modern voltage indicator. The question of how to use a screwdriver with this type of indicator will be answered by the application note included in the kit.

Working with a test screwdriver

Before starting operations with indicator devices, their operability is checked on contacts that are known to be energized.

Simple voltage indicator application method

Such a device is used only for finding contacts that are energized. The indicator screwdriver body is firmly fixed in the hand and the contact plate on the back of the device is clamped with one finger. The other end makes a gentle (so as not to overlap with the adjacent) contact with the desired contact surface. When it is energized, a warning light will go off.

If contact with both contacts did not cause ignition, then current does not pass through this connection.

Using LED tool

The non-contact function means that there is no need to close the circuit to the tester. This probe is highly sensitive. Such a device detects voltage below sixty volts. To determine the wires that are energized, it is enough to bring it to the object rear end studies. To find a specific phase contact or wire, you just need to touch them with a probe without shorting.

For all its advantages, non-contact probes also have disadvantages. This is the already mentioned interference from neighboring phases, as well as the invisibility of radiation in bright lighting.

Electronic tester operation

The way this type of probe is operated is no different from its simpler counterparts. The appearance of the device differs significantly. The closest thing to it is an electronic thermometer. More expensive models have a digital display on which some parameters of the measured object are displayed.

In addition to the screen, such indicators are equipped with a toggle switch for changing the way of operation and plates for touching by hand. List of available modes:

О - measurements are carried out by the contact method with the touch of a finger to the upper end of the device body.

L - works like LED indicators, in a non-contact manner.

H - application in the mode without touching the housing with a large measuring range. Used to find electrical wiring under a layer of finishing coat.

Situations for using the device

In household chores, you have to use a tester screwdriver quite often. Working with such devices does not require special skills, you only need do it right sequencing. Several typical examples can be considered.

Phase or zero detection

This is the most common probe operation. This procedure is important for single-color wires, where the phase is clearly not visible. The indicator tip touches the bare core. If the probe is a contact type, remember to touch the top plate. The activation of an optical or acoustic signal will indicate that the measured wire is energized.

Determination of leakage currents

In such circumstances, you can get into a malfunction of household electrical appliances, when a short to the case occurs. Any indicator can be used here. Into one of the sockets with a grounding contact fits the tip of the appliance. The appearance of an alarm will tell you that there is a problem in the power supply network. Next, each device is disconnected one by one until the light goes out. When, when touching the neutral conductor in the outlet, there is a reaction to the voltage present, the quality of the attachment of this contact in the main panel is checked.

Finding a broken wire

If there is obvious damage, finding its location is a simple exercise. But it is quite problematic to detect a malfunction in the hidden type wiring. This is where a highly sensitive electronic voltage indicator comes to the rescue. The first step is to switch it to the appropriate position. And also you need to have at least an approximate location of the passage of the cable route, along which you need to draw the indicator. The place where it goes out will be the damaged place. This is an approximate location, but it is still easier to look for damage in a specific place than to open the wiring throughout the apartment.

The second method detects a section of the electrical circuit with a malfunction, you can use an indicator of any type. For this, the line on which the malfunction may be is de-energized. Then you need to disconnect it from the machines and short-circuit all the conductors. If there is no signal at the probe - make sure in finding a fault. So, piece by piece, there is a damaged wire. A small feature: if there is a lighting device with a switch on the section of the tested wiring, the latter must be in the on position.

Checking an extension cord with an indicator

Before starting work, you need to disconnect the extension cord from the power supply and disconnect all devices from it. Then one of the sides must be short-circuited. This can be done by plugging jumper or short-circuit a plug with a piece of wire. Further, the already familiar procedure: we bring the probe to the opposite end and record the result in the form of a lit indicator lamp. At the end of the work, all installed jumpers must be removed in order to avoid short circuits when connected to the network.

Trade offers a wide range of devices to determine the power in the wiring. In order to choose the right tool, you need to know the requirements for the purchased device and how to use a screwdriver - an indicator. When making the right choice, the renovation will not be delayed and comfort, light and warmth will always be in our homes.