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Blog Multicomp Pro Non-Contact Voltage Tester vs. Real Life
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  • Author Author: kmikemoo
  • Date Created: 24 Jan 2021 10:32 PM Date Created
  • Views 750 views
  • Likes 5 likes
  • Comments 11 comments
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Multicomp Pro Non-Contact Voltage Tester vs. Real Life

kmikemoo
kmikemoo
24 Jan 2021

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.

image

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.

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Label maker.

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Battery Powered Stick Vacuum.

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Ground Wire

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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. image  At least it fails safe.

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Top Comments

  • jc2048
    jc2048 over 2 years ago +3
    The 9V labeller and the vacuum probably have wall blocks that are double-insulated and don't have a ground connection to the secondary side. The dc coming out is dc between the two output wires, but not…
  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 2 years ago in reply to jc2048 +3
    jc2048 Wow! I think you're right! And... it's just a little disturbing. It could mean that I have the equivalent of 40VAC on my body. I didn't play with the wall warts yet, but the ground wire was a fast…
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 2 years ago in reply to kmikemoo +3
    Are you refering to the style of ground strap you use to work with CMOS circuits? That's intention isn't to deal with possibly capacity-induced Volts ac. That's to get rid of 1000+ DC volt of static you…
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 2 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

    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 image.

    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.

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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 2 years ago in reply to jw0752

    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.

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  • kmikemoo
    kmikemoo over 2 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    Jan Cumps

    Jan Cumps  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.

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  • jc2048
    jc2048 over 2 years ago 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.

     

     

    imageimage

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 2 years ago in reply to jw0752

    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.

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