Application Note

ManualsBrandsFluke ManualsTestersFluke 1AC II A1

Application Note

A million and one uses

for voltage detectors

From the Fluke Digital Library @ www.fluke.com/library

Voltage detector safety

By telling you whether or not a

circuit is live before you work on

it, voltage detectors provide a

critical safety function. How-

ever—getting safe, reliable read-

ings requires purchasing the

right kind of voltage detector for

your work environment and then

following these guidelines.

Always verify that the volt-

age detector is working

properly

before you rely on it.

Use the detector to test a

known live circuit both before

and after you test an unknown

circuit, and make sure it gives

you the proper response. The

same practice applies to multi-

meters. If there is any doubt in

your mind about whether the

circuit is truly live or dead, use

an additional method to verify

the test results. You only have

to be right once to make it all

worthwhile.

ote: Some voltage detectors, such as the

updated Fluke 1AC II, have a self-test

function built-in that will verify whether

the detector is operational

2. Ensure that the voltage

detector you are using is

appropriately rated

for the

measurement environment

you’re working in and is

within the voltage range

you’re testing. Industrial envi-

ronments are generally CAT III

or CAT IV. Not all voltage

detectors are safety rated,

however, and they’re not

equally sensitive. Some detec

tors w

ill read small levels of

voltage that others won

’t

detect at all

. D

’t assume that

the detector you

’re using now

will perform the same as oth-

ers you

’ve used in the past

Voltage detectors are a quick, inexpensive way to check

for the presence of live voltage on ac circuits, switches

and outlets before working on them. Also known as

voltage wands, sticks, “power sniffers” or pens, they

clip into a shirt pocket and “chirp” or glow when they

detect voltage on exposed conducting parts or through

insulation.

These types of voltage detectors are designed for

non-contact, live-not live voltage detection on electrical

circuits found in residential, commercial and industrial

buildings. Incidental contact with live electrical conduc-

tors is not an issue as long as the detector is rated

appropriately for the voltage level and the electrical

safety category in which it will be used. In addition, the

user must exercise safe work practices and wear any

appropriate PPE required.

Summary of content (3 pages)

PAGE 1
A million and one uses for voltage detectors Application Note Voltage detectors are a quick, inexpensive way to check for the presence of live voltage on ac circuits, switches and outlets before working on them. Also known as voltage wands, sticks, “power sniffers” or pens, they clip into a shirt pocket and “chirp” or glow when they detect voltage on exposed conducting parts or through insulation.
PAGE 2
3. Capacitive voltage detectors have certain limitations. Correct operation depends upon the capacitance between the detector’s barrel and ground (normally through your hand and body). If this path is broken for any reason, the detector probably won’t work. For example, if you’re standing on a wooden ladder, the capacitance between your body and ground will be much less than if you were standing on a concrete floor.
PAGE 3
By Scott Cleveland I was getting ready to perform a repair on a major machine at the plant and used a Fluke 1AC to spot check. I found a breaker someone had rewired without updating the drawings and bypassing the lock-out point. I started checking with my multimeter and it did have live 480 volts on a breaker that should have been dead. We now give 1ACs to all of our trouble shooters and PM crew. It’s so easy to check with, and we have also used it to trace circuits.