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Multicomp Pro Non-Contact Voltage Tester vs. Real Life

kmikemoo

After completing the Multicomp Pro Non-Contact Voltage Tester - Review, I asked myself "Why don't I use this type of tool more?"  Then I started thinking of some of the events that distracted me along the way.  This blog just might be my version of the bloopers reel.

 

Does a good ground really matter?

I know it does, but how much?  I call this the Flamingo Testing Method.  Stand on the sneaker.  Measure.  Stand on the bare foot.  Measure.  Hope Amazon finally delivers the grounding strap today.  Repeat.

This was a preliminary test.  The ones used in the roadtest didn't involve this method.

 

Everything is Hot

Generator controller with 12VDC from an AC adapter.

 

Label maker.

 

Battery Powered Stick Vacuum.

 

Ground Wire

 

I'm not tough enough to hold onto an energized conductor.  I still haven't sorted this out.  There is no measured voltage on the ground wire (millivolts that do not fluctuate).  Fluctuating millivolts would indicate an open.  I tested the grounding (Earthing) circuit and it is in tact.  6" steel water line.  No measurable drop in the bonding circuit.

 

This is why I don't use this type of tester more often.   At least it fails safe.

Anonymous
  • in reply to kmikemoo

      wrote:

     

    In all of my high voltage work (>25KV) ....  I'm guessing these are the special straps you reference.  Crazy stuff.  Great conversation.

     

    Olala. No, I was referring to funny high voltage. Things you put on the desk.

     

    I got Electric Cabin training in the 80s - my electronics education included electric. If I recall well the cabin transformed from an industry utility line of around 4.000 V to 220 / 360.

    We were not allowed to enter, just watch from outside how things were done. And train outside with the step-on wooden bench, special shoes, gloves, face protection and the long stick. No strap .

    They mainly showed us how it's built up, how to (dis)connect, how to switch angle quality factor compensation capacity in and out, safety procedures.

  • in reply to jw0752

      Thank you for bringing in the bigger picture.  I wasn't thinking power electronics when I wrote my reply.  I was thinking much smaller electronic boards and chips - but I wasn't clear.  You are SO RIGHT about not making you body part of the circuit when working on equipment.  Good catch.  Good call.

  • in reply to jancumps

      wrote:

    For high voltage work there are special straps with a higher serial resistance.

    In all of my high voltage work (>25KV), we went for insulated; hot sticks, gloves, distance...  The only straps we ever talked about were for working around UHV - which I never did.  The thought of dragging around a grounding strap (static discharge strap) while walking through the substation was unnerving.  I'm guessing these are the special straps you reference.  Crazy stuff.  Great conversation.

  • in reply to jw0752

    This is a UK style plug for connnecting ESD stuff to mains earth. All the connections have a 1M resistor in series. In addition, the ground strap lead also has a 1M resistor, so there's redundancy for a single point of failure.

     

     

  • in reply to jw0752

      wrote:

     

    I would be real cautious about attaching a ground strap to my body for routine electronics work. It is one thing to do it when working on static sensitive devices and quite another when servicing a piece of general equipment. I can see where the probe itself should have a ground wire for reference but perhaps not attached to you.

     

    John

    The strap have a Megaohm or bigger series resistor in the wire. It's a path for static to flow away, but doesn't allow for harmful currents.

    For high voltage work there are special straps with a higher serial resistance.