neon screwdrivers

[lurker]

Rather than hijack another thread.

Can the Antis explain what they don't like about neon screwdrivers?

I'm not trying to be confrontational , just interested in their downsides.

 

[Anonymous]

They can short out and cause the user to get a 240V electric shock which could be across the chest if your other hand is touching earthed metal, and thus potentially fatal.
There is no such danger with a meter or other double insulated tester.

Every electrician I have worked with since completing my apprenticeship 24 years ago has avoided them like the plague.
My foreman during the apprenticeship would have kicked my ass across the floor for even having one in my toolbox :?

 

[davy_owen_88]

Exactly what Tony said but some other reasons are: the neon doesn't show up very well in well lit areas. It is easy to think that it is not glowing and the unsuspecting DIY'er thinks everything is ok to proceed. The other reason is that capacitive coupling in long cable runs can actually be enough to cause the neon to light up which discourages DIY'ers who think there is something wrong with their 'permanently live circuit'.

They are also not very sturdy so dropping them onto something hard, or getting them wet can see the resistor fail, which is the vital part that keeps you from receiving a substantial shock. Oh, and they don't work if you are quite well insulated from ground either as they use you as an earth pass. Unfortunately you may then think it is safe to continue and get a nasty shock, in more ways than one when you don't have the protection of the resistor.

 

[Taffy Turner]

I used to work with a lot of industrial electricians, and like Tony, these guys had no time for them at all.

The main objection is that under current electrical regs, you cannot work on a circuit until you have proved beyond doubt that it is not live (unless you want to get into the live working regs, which I strongly advise you not to!!!). The only way to do this is to check with a meter (or lamp) to show that the circuit is dead, then prove your test device on a known live source to check that the test device is functioning correctly.

As others have pointed out, there are a number of variables with a neon screwdriver that can cause you to think that the circuit is dead when it isn't.

The other problem with them is that there is a relatively long length of un-insulated blade. This can cause spectacular results if you have the tip of the blade on a live source and you accidentally allow the shaft to touch an earthed object (DAMHIKT!!!!). This cannot happen with a compliant meter, as the probes are fully insulated except for the very ends.

To sum up - the dangers outweigh the cost saving in my (and many others) opinions.

Regards

Gary

 

[Mike.C]

Are we talking about the screwdrivers that are clear plastic, with a small bulb/eliment within, and you touch a metal disk on the end of the screwdriver to make the connection?

Cheers

Mike

 

[davy_owen_88]

These evil little things:

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks Davy. I have used one of these on a number of occasions in the past, but I had no idea they are dangerous. I got mine from B&Q.

They have been on sale for as long as I can remember, so how come they have been allowed to sell them if they are dangerous, or are there different types?

In the bin it goes.

Cheers

Mike

 

[DomValente]

These evil little things:

Alright, I don't use them, but think I will now, only because it appears that john prescott was the one to ban them, at least when that was printed.

Dom

 

[RogerS]

The main objection is that under current electrical regs, you cannot work on a circuit until you have proved beyond doubt that it is not live (unless you want to get into the live working regs, which I strongly advise you not to!!!).

Chatting to the guys last week fitting a new meter box...they are certified to work on live wires up to 415v. They have a specialist team who are trained and equipped to work on live 11,000v circuits.

It makes my eyes water just to think about it.

 

[Jake]

I think they work on the 400kv main lines, live and bare-handed.

 

[davy_owen_88]

I think they work on the 400kv main lines, live and bare-handed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzga6qAaBA

:shock:

 

[RogerS]

That, davy, is seriously impressive. Even the helicopter flying.

 

[Taffy Turner]

I think they work on the 400kv main lines, live and bare-handed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzga6qAaBA

:shock:

B*gg*r that for a game of soldiers!!!! It is all very well saying how every move is thought out and planned, but you only need one mistake and that's your lot!

I bet he doesn't have a weekend on the beer and then turn up for work on Monday feeling a bit rough!!!

Regards

Gary

 

[WellsWood]

:shock: O M G :shock:

That's all very well now it's tried and tested, but imagine the poor sod who had to do it for the first time.

Also, are we now saying that in all those action films where the bad guy in the helicopter is tricked into flying into the power lines it shouldn't immediately explode?

 

[Losos]

I think they work on the 400kv main lines, live and bare-handed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzga6qAaBA

:shock:

Wow, Davy, that's really impressive I knew people work on 'live' transmission lines but I always thought it was from specially insulated 'cherry pickers' etc. Never seen it done from a helicopter before.

Getting back to the humble neon screwdriver As I admitted on another thread I have one only 'cos it fits the plug top screws just right. I never have and never would use it for it's intended purpose in fact I really ought to bin it 'cos it's not like I don't have other screwdrivers I could use

 

[newt]

There used to be a training facility at Leatherhead for live working. One thing that used to be a bit scary was the corona discharge between the faraday suit and the body, and around the eye sockets.

 

[soapy]

A neon tester which works on the same principle is still the prefered weapon for checking polarity at the consumers cutout.