Neon / Mains Tester Screwdriver – Good or bad?

paperclap

Hi all,

Long story short, I need to swap over a socket face with another. Like for like swap. Nothing wrong with either (electronically), just one face is slightly damaged so putting it in a less visible area.

Before anything, I’ll turn off the circuit (or, maybe the entire unit). Then I’ll pop a light or something else in, to test if it comes on or not. Will be using VDE screwdrivers.

Was going to pick up a mains tester screwdriver to use, as an extra layer of testing, prior to unscrewing and swapping over. I’ve seen everywhere that they’re rubbish, and should be banned… and not really fit for purpose.

Don't really want to go and spend £40 or so on proper kit just for a simple socket face swap.

Worth getting the neon screwdriver for a fiver, or not bother… and the above testing (circuit off, light bulb test) sufficient?

Thanks!

grumbler

You can by a multimeter for a tenner at Screwfix, but personally I'd just plug a lamp in the socket, switch it ON, then switch the main swich (not the MCB) OFF in the CU and check that the lamp went off.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-ac-dc-digital-multimeter-600v/75337

Mr.Generous

Bulb test is ok. neon drivers are good but can show a dull glow from an induced  (ghost) current where a tiny voltage is in the cable because it runs against another live cable. Takes a bit of practice to recognise the bright glow - live - verses the dull glow - safe. Once you know what it is you feel more confident. I would recommend the socket tester though, checks things that plugging in a lamp - or anything else - would not detect.

£8.29 at screwfix, easy to use - just plug it in. Shows things like missing earth, live/neutal reversed etc

Risteard

paperclap said:

Hi all,

Long story short, I need to swap over a socket face with another. Like for like swap. Nothing wrong with either (electronically), just one face is slightly damaged so putting it in a less visible area.

Before anything, I’ll turn off the circuit (or, maybe the entire unit). Then I’ll pop a light or something else in, to test if it comes on or not. Will be using VDE screwdrivers.

Was going to pick up a mains tester screwdriver to use, as an extra layer of testing, prior to unscrewing and swapping over. I’ve seen everywhere that they’re rubbish, and should be banned… and not really fit for purpose.

Don't really want to go and spend £40 or so on proper kit just for a simple socket face swap.

Worth getting the neon screwdriver for a fiver, or not bother… and the above testing (circuit off, light bulb test) sufficient?

Thanks!

I haven't used a phase tester in decades. They have no useful purpose.

paperclap

Didn’t know you could pick these up this cheap!

So, multimeter or the plug socket tester?

Is there a preferred?

Simonon77

Multimeter is more useful long term.

Section62

paperclap said:

Didn’t know you could pick these up this cheap!

So, multimeter or the plug socket tester?

Is there a preferred?

Get both - the multimeter is the best way of confirming dead.  The socket tester is the safest way of confirming the socket (and the circuit it is on) has been wired correctly (if adopting a DIY approach).

Even if you don't attach a value to your health and safety (in terms of electric shock), the stuff you plug in to the socket(s) usually has a fairly high value, and a quick test using a low-cost tool can potentially save the need to replace an expensive item of electrical equipment.

FreeBear

Those neon screwdrivers are dangerous - If the resistor fails in short circuit, you can potentially get a lethal shock from the contact on the end. The non-contact testers can not be relied on to give a definitive yes/no.

Use a multimeter to check for voltage between live/eath, neutral/earth, and live/neutral. A socket tester is handy to check that the socket is wired up the right way round.

outtatune

A 'mains tester screwdriver' doesn't tell you that a connection is dead. It - if it's not broken - will more often than not tell you that a connection is live. But sometimes it won't. Do you feel lucky?.

Grenage

Multimeter. Anyone doing any electrical work should have one.

GDB2222

FreeBear said:

Those neon screwdrivers are dangerous - If the resistor fails in short circuit, you can potentially get a lethal shock from the contact on the end. The non-contact testers can not be relied on to give a definitive yes/no.

Use a multimeter to check for voltage between live/eath, neutral/earth, and live/neutral. A socket tester is handy to check that the socket is wired up the right way round.

I agree that the neon screwdrivers are not a good idea.  In theory you could get a lethal shock. But, in practice, take a couple of precautions and they can’t give you a shock even if faulty:-

Wear trainers and gloves.

Don’t touch anything else.