Electrical testers are great for testing to see if circuits and devices have voltage running to them, but is the tester really functioning properly? This is a real concern when working with electrical circuits. Let's say you use your tester and it says no voltage is present. You touch the device or wire and get zapped. After you shake off the jolt, you probably throw the tester across the room. So how can you be sure that the tester is working properly?
Well, there is a tried and true method for giving your tester a quick safety test. It's pretty simple really by just taking your tester and testing a circuit that you know is working, like an outlet that a desk lamp or TV is plugged into and working.
Here's a good rule of thumb to think about when purchasing a tester. Cheap testers are just that, cheap! A neon bulb tester's bulb can fail and these type testers are easy to damage. A much better choice would be to buy a reliable, more expensive model that will last a longer time and provide more accurate readings and reliability.
Photo: Timothy Thiele
