Screwdriver mains tester by Draper

[Marty32]

Good afternoon forum folk

Quick question - I'm an apprentice and wanted to know peoples' thought's/professional opinion on using a mains tester screw driver to see if things like thermostat wires or sockets are live in case of a nasty electric shock?

I've bought a Mains tester screw driver (although I wouldn't use it as a screwdriver) and it comes with a plastic gate tool which you plug into a socket and then put the scewdriver end into the live part of the opening. I believe this opens the the socket but I'm a bit apprehensive to quite honest

Anyone used these and how safe are they?

 

[Simon F]

best to get a multi meter, even a cheap one for about £5-£10 will give you much more information than the screw driver

 

[Marty32]

Thanks mate - do you personally use multi-meters? If so what do you usually test them on?

 

[Simon F]

a neon screw driver is only good to tell you if there is 240volts, so there is some use in that.
a multi meter will give you the actual voltage in ac/dc, amps, can tell you the resistance,
you can use it to test for continuity. you could have 240vots to a part on an appliance but its not working properly,
when you understand how to use a multi meter ( i'm still learning) you can see why its not working.

 

[dontknowitall]

Should be good for opening your sandwich box ... would probably break as soon as it touched metal.

If you hadn't guessed I don't rate Drapers for the "professional" world - great for DIY though!

And if it didn't light up when testing, how do you know if there's no power? That's why we (the survivors that is) use multimeters.

 

[Pipes Plumbing]

never get a neon screwdriver wet either, the current bypasses the Neon and they don't light up... What appears to be dead my not be!
Never a pleasant surprise!

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Get a volt alert stick or even better a socket and see kit

 

[stevetheplumber]

Neons are usefull for quick fault finding but a multi meter is the best thing as it will check for voltage between two points ie l-n or l--e

 

[Howsie]

Neons are usefull for quick fault finding but a multi meter is the best thing as it will check for voltage between two points ie l-n or l--e

100 agree.

 

[Marty32]

Thank you all for your speedy and informative advice as I really didn't cop a packet off of anything so will take the neon tester back for a refund and will get a multi-meter!

Mart