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Snarg
   
Gender: Male
 |  |  |  | Detecting electricity
< on 10/3/2003 9:18 AM >
|  | | | I have been reading a number of UE sites and I notice one major concern seems to be the presence of live electrical lines.
I spent a little time with Google and came across this: http://www.fluke.com/products/home.asp?SID=2&AGID=3&PID=3394
It is about the size of a pen and runs off of a small battery. All you have to do is hold it near or press it against an electrical line. If the line is hot the tip will glow red.
I have not found a site with this or a similar item for sale but I am sure they are $20 or less.
I hope you find this to be somewhat helpful.
Mean people suck.
Nice people swallow. |
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ReAct
location:
Northern Jersey... For now.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 1 on 10/3/2003 10:49 AM >
| | | | There are a whole range of those devices. The technical terminology for them is a "Non-Contact Voltage Sensor" but we just call 'em "Hot Sticks." You can get them that glow and squeal and click or any combination there of, when in close proximity to alternating current. I have a couple of the ones from Fluke, I don't either is the model shown in that link; mine range from 24-600 volts. They cost between $20-$25 each if I remember correctly.
Definitely a good tool to have on you. If I'm gonna be exploring any facility that I think may still be supplied with electrical power, I take my hot sticks with me.
They aren't perfect, they sometimes give false positives, that is they detect the presence of voltage when for all intensive purposes, non exists.
Very infrequently, but much more importantly, they sometimes give false negatives, that is, indicate a line is dead when in actuallity it is hotter than hell.
Among other things, they do not work with direct current, though you'd almost never run into that except when dealing with some communications equipment and the like, it's important to note.
Even with that in mind, hot sticks are a good investment. Though if you expect to be in a position where it's of vital importance that you know if something is energized, I'd advise getting a good tester so that you can really be sure.
Interested parties: Volt-Con makes cheap, rugged, reliable testers.
Play it safe.
-ReAct
[last edit 10/3/2003 2:09 PM by ReAct - edited 2 times]
"'13.2V...' Thirteen volts. It's thirteen volts? Jesus, I could practically be made of salt water and this wouldn't hurt me."
"That says '13.2kV.'"
"Ohhhh... Thirteen-thousand volts... I suppose that's a little different...." |
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SPEK Photo
 
location:
Where you were not.
"Chere cachère!"
| | | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 2 on 10/3/2003 2:40 PM >
| | | | You guys should check
at WWW.ITM.COM
they sells all kind of detection, measure instrument. But beware that the prices can sometime be real high. Still, you will find all kind of usefull Chrismas gift to put on your list. (hope your family has lot money)
Pour fins d'archives.
WWW.EXPLORATIONURBAINE.CA |
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MacGyver
location:
St Paul, Minnesota
Gender: Male
"Someone go find me a paperclip, a D-cell battery, and a cheese grater"
| | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 3 on 10/3/2003 4:19 PM >
| | | | I've seen a version of the current detectors descrived above that was designed to test christmas lights. You would start at the far end of a string of lights and work back until you found current, and try replacing the corresponding bulb. I could use it to trace wires right up the wall through the sheetrock. One of these might be a cheap alternative if you're willing to trust it. The added bonus is that you have an x-mas bulb extractor handy in case you have to fix some light strings while you're in wherever.
Like a fiend with his dope / a drunkard his wine / a man will have lust for the lure of the mine
"If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent." |
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NoSuchPerson
 
Stop, or I'll ask you again!
| | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 5 on 10/25/2003 2:58 PM >
| | | | The PERFECT electricity detector:
Small slotted screwdriver.
Instructions:
1) Insert into outlet you want to check for power
2) Lick thumb and index finger
3) Apply pressure with both fingers to the metal shaft.
One of 3 things will happen:
1) Nothing. This means the socket has no power.
2) You're hand will have a distinct tingling feeling. This means the socket is live.
3) You're finger will get stuck on the shaft, probably knocking you unconcious. This means that either 1) you're fucked, or 2) there's way more current on that plug than you should be messing with.
hehe. If you're dumb enough to do this, you deserve 3.1.
Inductive probes, such as the ones above are what electricians use all the time, they work great from around 5 volts up to very large voltages (Generally speaking, the larger the voltage, the easier it is to detect).
-Ex
Unit calling radio say again? |
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Ricotta
Nobler Donor
location:
Houston, TX
Gender: Male
De arimasu~
| | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 6 on 10/26/2003 5:25 AM >
|  | | | I hear that peeing on things works too. Especially fences.
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Mickael
 
Moderator
location:
Canada
Gender: Male
| | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 7 on 10/27/2003 2:06 AM >
| | | | Posted by Damien Nightbane
I hear that peeing on things works too. Especially fences.
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hehehe, ever did this on an electric fence? 
Need forum-related help / Besoin d'aide reliée au forum ? Contact a moderator |
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ReAct
location:
Northern Jersey... For now.
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Detecting electricity
<Reply # 8 on 10/27/2003 3:24 AM >
| | | | A buddy of mine touched a piece of barbed wire he didn't know was electrified.
Got really angry at me because he thought the jolt he felt was me punching him in the shoulder.
Go figure.
-ReAct
"'13.2V...' Thirteen volts. It's thirteen volts? Jesus, I could practically be made of salt water and this wouldn't hurt me."
"That says '13.2kV.'"
"Ohhhh... Thirteen-thousand volts... I suppose that's a little different...." |
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