ACTUALLY... This is the DEADLIEST Electrical Tester!

[@Adamisgood24]

I used to play with those as a kid, never got shocked.

[@adrianinglis5922]

You never get shocked until you do. It only takes one shock to kill you.

They got cheaper over the years, some of them (even those sold in stores) don‘t have a appropriate resistor.

[@Ale-Tronic]

Here in Brazil those testers are common, and I have one too, never heard of anybody being shocked by using them properly. The contactless testers are expensive and one failed on me after a battery leaked inside of it. Funny thing, we have 220V 60Hz, and also, 127V 60Hz here.

[@SuperSpecies]

To get 220V do you use tapped transformers like in North America?

[@Ale-Tronic]

Here our power distribution is three phase, so if you live at the 127V side, it is 127V between Phase and Neutral, and 220V between Phase and Phase (which is similar to the America system and very handy!). If you live at the 220V side, it is 220V between Phase and Neutral, and 380V between Phase and Phase. So, if you live on a 127V place, you can have a entire 220V house, or some 220V appliances or outlets available for special appliances. If you live on a 220V place, and you have a 127V appliance (or a imported one live from USA), you need to use a step down transformer.

[@hartmutholzgraefe]

They are very common here in Germany, too. Or at least they used to be ...

[@coastersaga]

I have one too, but I've found its more useful trick: mine has a detachable blade with a Philips head on one end and a flat blade on the other. This is handy if you have both Philips and flathead screws but don't have two different screwdrivers.

[@uwezimmermann5427]

Since many channels here are demonizing this - tell me how many accidents have been caused by these tools. Coming from Germany I have been using these for about 35 years, and apart from their high value in countries which have non-polarized outlets (yes, Sweden and Germany for example!). They are not usually used to check if something is live, but to check which of two wires is the phase and which is neutral. Also the tips of these are just the right size for about any screw you will find in electronics and electrical installation, including opening clamp terminals. And about the issue that the screw driver might get wet and thus current might flow on the outside - well, that's the same with any other isolated screw driver as well, isn't it?

[@potatosordfighter666]

It's not about the outside. If liquids get inside of it they can bypass the entire neon fuse assembly. The outside of it might seem completely dry.

[@Delibro]

@@potatosordfighter666 Ohh, ok, thanks for the clarification. Should be in the video.

[@stgram12]

Hey this tool is simple and so its failure modes are simple. You've mentioned both of them - short accross the elements giving you a shock after being wet and bad contact not registering live voltage. The first one can be solved by storing your instruments properly, I doubt any electrical tools should be anywhere near water. The manufacturer could have potted the whole thing inside to make it waterproof, but I havent really seen any like that. If in doubt just throw it out, dont risk anything. The second issue is shared among all testing tools - how do you know the instrument is working? First you tap a live wire to see it working, then you tap the wire you're checking, then again the live wire. This tool has been used for decades but as usual it is very important how you use it. Also sometimes you just need to know which is the live wire and which the neutral, if same-color conductors are used or you suspect somebody swapped them, very usual in diy home installations - then you just tap them and have your answer. Best part - no batteries to die when you most need the tool!

[@0hellow797]

It’s such a cheap tool, I could see how it’s dangerous to newbies

[@yolowolfyt]

Also he said it's dangerous is a false positive, but actually dangerous is the false negative cause you ain't connected to ground

[@hartmutholzgraefe]

Third failure mode: too much ambient light. E.g. I tried one this weekend while replacing an outdoor outlet in the early afternoon, and only when shielding it with the box the new outlet came in and leaving a little slit to peek through and stick my finger through I could see it light up. I did not use the tool for checking that the line was really dead before replacing the outlet, for that I used a much more reliable electronic device. I only used the cheap one after assembly was fully done and power restored, for the fun of it, as there was one included in the box the new outlet came in.

[@Delibro]

@@0hellow797 Newbies don't touch a wire or socket with a screwdriver or anything else, you learn that as a kid.

[@noldos]

As with the non contact version: always test against a known live conductor. Multiple times a day. And then they are reasonably safe.

[@Delibro]

Yea of cause you test them on a live wire before trusting 230 V. Its your life at risk in the worst case after all. If you do Bungee Jumping you check if the rope is properly attached too, right? This should be a no brainer, so I don't understand the video.

[@theexchipmunk]

Never have I heared of someone getting shocked by these. And here in Germany those thimngs are incredibly common. And considering how high safety sandards at workplaces are, these things wouldn`t be allowed anymore if there was an increased risk.

[@photonik-luminescence]

I actually view this video while being in germany and these neon voltage testers are common to be like this (I am not geram though). in Fact i have 2 laying around and they never failed me. I like them since it shows you if there is voltage on the line you work in while you can use it to screw in the the plastic connectros. I like light bulbs and fixture and i always use these Neon screw indicators. Plus, i actually like the neon glow.

2:23 the VDE sets up certain standards that are pretty high. So either it‘s one of the safer testers or it‘s falsely marked as VDE compliant. It‘s similar to the US electrical code in terms of the purpose. Edit: Looks quite good, a appropriate resistor is used.

[@three-phase562]

You can also get false negatives from them if you are working is bright light conditions or installations with a higher resistance path to earth that means the neon isn't lit as well or not at all. There were also issues with them historically as they used to be manufactured with a separate resistor and neon, so people would replace the resistor with lower value resistors to make the neon brighter. That was largely resolved by making them sealed units that cannot be dismantled, so I am surprised as that Wiha one looked like it just unscrewed, although the neon and resistor are a combined unit.

[@vladomaimun]

Someone on reddit once brought up the high resistance to ground issue so I decided to test it. I stood on a wooden chair in rubber boots without touching anything other than the tester and it still worked. The light was noticeably dimmer but the parasitic capacitance between me and the ground was more than enough for it to light up.

[@RonLaws]

Used these for years, not saying you're wrong, but never seen one fail electrically. Mechanically though? yea, they don't make good screwdrivers for anything more than an old school terminal block. Totally understand the failure modes though, we can just hope people store them properly and don't abuse them too much, but I'd much rather use it as a first indicator and continue to practice safety precautions under the assumption the connection is hot, even if the testers say otherwise. (Verify with a DMM, Insulated work gloves, handle wires with care and overall diligence etc.) I always hold mine at the very end between my fingers in a way that would make releasing it almost involuntary if my hand were to clench. I've had mains shocks in the past (Not from the screwdriver, 1/10 experience, don't recommend.)

[@okaro6595]

I recall in Finland at some point one could not have the screwdriver end in it so it was unusable even as a screwdriver. I think the light is so dim that in some lighting conditions one might miss it.

[@MrLOLCraftLP1]

Here in Germany we call it "Phasenprüfer" phase checker and you can see that every electrician has one. They are save trust me, i've been using these things since ages and never got a shock.

[@Kiramitsuoka]

As an electrician myself, we actually call them "Lügenstift" (Lie stick) and by code we're NOT allowed to use them to check for voltage. We're supposed to use "2-pole voltage checker" (2-poliger Spannungsprüfer) like the Benning Duspol line up. Granted, these are more expensive but for me, my safety was worth the 80€ I paid for my "Benning Duspol Digital".

[@Delibro]

@@Kiramitsuoka Never heard anyone call them Lügenstift/lie stick. See them in use often.

[@boyensn4233]

In Germany electricians call it „Lügenstift" (Lying Pen). But it's crazy how many people her in germany have one. You'll find them in almost every Household. But many also just use it as a screwdriver.

[@theexchipmunk]

Most people with common sense use it as a backup safety. You disconect the power and there should be no power, but especially in old houses there can be weirdness going on, so having this just to make sure there really is no power on the line is nice. Never have seen one fail, even the ancient one my grandfather used.

[@boyensn4233]

@@theexchipmunk I use a duspol

[@db4423]

I remember when I was little, my father had a tester like this and he had it after his father's... it was an old Soviet tester... there was never a problem that someone would get a shock or get killed while using it... I don't know why they made it, but it lasted over 200 years and couldn't be destroyed... it was probably made from the core of a dying star, not like the weak things that are made today

[@scharpmeister]

woah ive never been a circuit component before

[@fredriksjoblom5161]

When you say that you don't like the metal screwdriver directly contacting the live wire two thoughts immediately pop up. Or rather a thought and a question. I'm thinking that no-contact sensors are simply crap because you can only use them to confirm that there is in fact a voltage present. It would be really dangerous to trust that there is no voltage just cause those flimsy things fail to light up for you. A lot of times i get no reading at first but then after fiddeling around for a while they suddenly light up. They are simply unreliable at best. As for my question, i'm wondering how you handle your multimeter? I'm guessing that you are probably doing an excellent job of keeping those probes from getting smeared with random conductive goo. And in that case you should, in theory, be able to keep your neon tester just as safe as your multimeter.

[@singhsimar95]

Not sure if anyone else found that but I sometimes use them as contactless tester to find the brocken spot of wire. Doesn't work every time but handy when it does. It depends on the pvc thickness and quality.

[@deano023]

This topic has been covered to death by all of the other electronics and electrical KZbin channels and it really is a dead topic in my opinion. Also, the screwdriver isn't as bad as everyone is making out. Many people I know have been using these for years with no issues. The example you gave of the screwdriver getting wet is really a non-issue - would you use your multimeter if IT got wet? When it comes to safety with your tools you always inspect your equipment to make sure it is in good functioning order before you use it on live wiring.

[@bcreason]

I have a non contact one. I test the outlet while it’s on to make sure the tester is working then test it again after turning off the breaker.

[@justinwright6611]

More sparkys probably fall off ladders than get electrocuted via these testers. Is there is risk: Yes. What is the likelihood of that risk? That’s the much harder question to answer accurately.

[@slycooper1001]

I actually have a neon screwdriver and when I first looked at it I went wait how do I figure out how do I use it. And it was in a set of insulated screwdrivers

[@graememorris7820]

Neon testers are actually life savers. I haver never heard once of anyone being electrocuted by one of these things , yet I have heard and experienced an uncountable number of occasions , when these devices have saved injury or death by giving timely warning of unexpected live conductors. What makes these devises such a safety boon, is their ease of deployment. If a worker doesn't have to keep connecting the black lead of his "safe" test equipment to neutral whenever he changes location, - if all he has to do is probe with his neon pen, ( that requires no neutral connections because his body is serving as such) , it makes sense that he will probe more often. Also, neon testers will detect "live" neutrals, whereas a tester that requires a neutral connection will not. "Live neutrals" often do occur, usually because the neutral line has been disconnected from the main neutral bus , thus allowing it to float "live" via an appliance that has been left switched on. The induction type testers are very useful, but they will not tell you which of two wires lying in parallel to each other is the live one - or if both are. It is theoretically possible that if one played submarines with one of these devices, and the device is cheaply made, he could cause it's internal resistor to be shorted out, and so receive a shock when using it. You could however say the same for any tool that requires mains voltage to operate - don't get them wet. Some people worry about the 1Meg ohm resistor becoming faulty. No need to worry, resistors never go short , never. They can go open, their resistance can even increase over time, but they will never short themselves out. People need to be aware that these testers should not be used where voltages exceed the tools rating (even so a fatal shock would be hard to get considering that 7000volts would be required to pass 7mA through a 1meg ohm resistor, 7mA being the smallest current recorded as potentially lethal). People need to be aware that these testers do not work when probing transformer outputs. I have carried out Google searches in an atempt to find ecamples of electrocutions caused by neon testers. I have found none

[@wisteela]

I've got one that also works contactless and does continuity.

[@rosskrt]

Funny thing about mains voltage is, we say it’s 220V but it should be 230V, but at my house I always measure between 240V and 250V

[@FullModernAlchemist]

Is it because it drops to 220 when a load is applied maybe?

[@mernokimuvek]

@@FullModernAlchemist No, igts because boomers didnt keep up with modern times. Europe converted to 230 V in the 1990s buy some boomers still think that we live in the 1980s and say 220 V instead.

[@hartmutholzgraefe]

Most countries raised it to 230V as with that the difference between two phases is closer to 400V than the classic 380V. But there is also usually a +/-10% tolerance. So even 250V is still within acceptable limits.

[@robochrisc2891]

What software was he using?

[@int32_]

circuitjs

[@thinklist]

www.falstad.com/circuit/

[@bcreason]

Okay, this is spooky. Last week I bought a set of insulated screwdrivers. I just got around to opening the package an hour ago and it had one of these things in it. I’ve never seen one before today and an hour after I opened it this video pops up in my feed. I guessed at how it works and thought it was a bit dodgy, so I didn’t test it.

[@wackyworldofwindios3476]

thanks for he cool tip. I tried it and with a little practice it works great .

[@samiraperi467]

I have one of those, I use it as a screwdriver. :P BTW, neon glows pink. If it doesn't glow pink, it's not neon, or the tube has phosphors on it.

[@ericanderson9664]

Any tools not looked after and maintained can be a "danger" to the user.

[@paulstubbs7678]

The neon tester I had, had an optional earth lead, so if your in an environment where you feel unsafe (water etc), then don't touch it, use the earth lead. The non-contact sensors are only really good for finding wires hidden in walls etc, on a terminal strip they are useless as they cannot isolate single live (or dead) terminals, here a contact device wins. In a good quality high voltage probe, you have multiple resistors in series to share the voltage gradient, as a single resistor is generally not really up to the task, especially when you start talking cat3 etc, where you have to (and should) allow for up to 1000V in a circuit. A couple of transients, the single resistor and neon break over, then it's your hearts turn - kind of not good. So is there a proper neon tester by a reputable test & measurement company?, I could not find one in a quick google, so it looks like there is a bit of a gap in the market. If it doesn't have all the regulatory and underwriters logo's legitimately printed on it, don't use it.

[@jakubjakubowski944]

220v ac of the outlet voltage is the rms value. It means that "max value" in your simulation should be 310v. I also do not understand why you used sparkgap instead of just LED diode that is available in simulator. This is just technicality though. If you are so scared of those testers then you should not use any electrical device at all. Seriously chances of 1M resistor inside "shortening" are WAAAAAY lower than any normal use electrical device in your house having short between housing and live. And no - your grounding is not going to save you because you have NO diagnostic of its continuity and there is really high chance of failure of this kind. It makes no sense to use neon based testers now days because, to be price competitive with alternative devices, manufacturers use cheap LED diodes. And those are oversensitive and prone to detecting induced current on all metal (or even non-metal) objects. Just buy electrical tester for own convenience and for heavens use ANY tester while working with 100+vac. And wear shoes (duh), it is enough isolation not to let you be electrocuted unless you touch live and neutral at the same time. And when working with medium voltage you have to be sensitive to any humidity. It is not like humid screwdriver handle is going to be conductive enough to electrocute you, but when you feel any humidity you should immediately make sure there is no dripping water anywhere.

[@Earcandy73]

I was shocked by one of these when my elbow rested on a grounded heater case.

[@jagmarc]

The crazy length KZbinrs go to make mindless CLICKBAIT is astounding. Next video: *The Evil Killer Box of Matches*

[@Yotanido]

I never actually knew how they worked, but touching a metal bit at the end of the screwdriver after potentially touching the main part to a live wire just always seemed wrong to me. I'd rather use a multimeter.

[@HG_Budde]

Really no professional electrician in Germany uses it, we do so called "Duspols". In the olden times, apprentices used to get "pranked" by their masters by switching the resistor with a simple piece if metal or copper wire, so they would get shocked.. I don't want to know how many old electricians have now medical problems like cardiac arrhythmia due to getting shocked all the time. Nowadays every apprentice gets hammered into their brains to not use those things, if we do.. we use it as a multitool from screwdriver over leverage up to chisels 😁

[@TheMono25]

OK so it sez led on the packaging but its a neon bulb

[@Thefreakyfreek]

Never had problems whit them I used them a lot but I have a nice one A sealed Also the European sockets are beter Because we have 2 tipes were you can use s realy flat one that saves space for ligts and chargers and a big one for 3600 watts And the small one always fits in the big one

[@Adamisgood24]

They came with a red plug, that connected to ground, on the tester screwdrivers, as a kid.

[@jagmarc]

I'm not even going to watch this nor ever as I've already seen the video format. Reminds me so much of the screaming church minister "repent now you evil sinners" 😂

[@akimbojimbo3763]

The AC HiPot would like a chance for the "most dangerous" title

[@vladomaimun]

These testers are prone to false positives (due to phantom voltage and open neutral for example) but they practically never give false negatives. And from a safety standpoint this is exactly what you want - a false positive will waste some of your time but a false negative can be lethal. You raise some valid concerns near the end of the video but this is why such testers are made from transparent plastic - so you can see any damage or moisture build up. To be fair, the moisture issue applies to a lot of tools and you should keep your tools dry. Otherwise if you use wet or damp tools and get shocked it's your own damn fault. It also helps to have good habits. I've never seen one of these fail but I always first test a live wire to make sure the tester is functional before relying on it for checking that things are not live.

[@Spielkneipe]

I love your channel just found out about you today !!

[@gunnarsandstrom8031]

My dad had one used it many times.

[@Shazzamm1971]

50Hz is less power every damn time than 60Hz. No amount of Aussie math can refute.

[@SuperSpecies]

When did hertz become a measurement of power?

[@Shazzamm1971]

@@SuperSpecies say you have 600v running at 50 cycles a second and some asshole comes and cranks up the generator rpm , getting 600v but 60 times a second. That’s indeed why.

[@SuperSpecies]

@@Shazzamm1971 yeah so the frequency will be increased, but why?

[@Shazzamm1971]

@@SuperSpecies so your motors don’t need to have as many windings to produce the same horsepower. So I might even go further and not only say 60HZ grids produce more power when time is a factor, which it always is, but the bonus result of running a 60Hz system over a 50Hz grid is efficiency gains on anything consuming load. Being able to run less windings in millions of spinning inductive loads makes your country’s resources go further. This argument was had about 80 years before I was born. Those that chose AC over DC back then is well documented, as well as who was smart enough to start their generators running a bit faster over those that weren’t smart enough to set the governors beyond 3000rpm.

[@SuperSpecies]

@@Shazzamm1971 there is also the skin effect. Most serious generators have 6 poles.

[@adamrak7560]

I heard that 30 years ago the testers were very rare, so electricians (in a certain country) simply used their hands to test. If they have received a mild electric shock they knew it was live. It was a very reliable test, and they have learned quickly how and what to touch to minimize the electric shock.

[@Delibro]

Well, I would not do da test with a 3 % probability to die.

[@ETORERIGO]

I used one of those as a kid with my tongue, still alive for all i know

[@stevenspmd]

Hands can slip! the screw driver shaft should at least be rubber coated.

[@ianbelletti6241]

Simple. The reason people don't like these is because it makes you part of the circuit.

[@andrewc9235]

I'll not say here what apprentices would do to thier unsuspecting fellows neons in the 1980/90s with those testers.⚡

[@mp-xt2rg]

You really don't need any of that junk to test if voltage is there. Just give the old finger a licky lick and give it a touch.

[@FullModernAlchemist]

Tools are 100% getting crappier.

[@hirusthehellhound]

Hi a demon here :3 their voice are quite villainous. Very low and noisy [not all of them hehe]

[@thinklist]

😆😈 well thank you demon for possessing my comments section 👌

[@hirusthehellhound]

@@thinklist heh no problem. I might need you in a future to help with my electrical system in my castle at the hell. Soon

[@thinklist]

@@hirusthehellhound 😆

[@danbrit9848]

its just a German shower light lol

[@zaccain5399]

Other words get yourself a voltage meter

[@thinklist]

Yep

[@mernokimuvek]

These are absolutely fine. Every tool can be dangerous if improperly used but i believe in natural selection.

[@gaborballa8566]

I deeply disagree with you on this one! The neon testers are the best and the active ones are crap! These testers never fail.

[@AlwaysBastos]

Don't be a wuss. Like any test gear, they are okay if you look after them. And who would use a wet Duspol? These can show lost earth and neutral faults, not infallible but would have prevented several fatalities if someone had used one.

[@nonsuch]

Oh yeah? Well, us in the USA really have 240V @ 60Hz. That's 20 more volts and 10Hz faster. Beat that Brit! 😛😂

[@danbrit9848]

i just lick my finger at touch the wire...lol jk

[@timramich]

We in the US have 240 volts. What are you talking about? We just don't feel the need to send 240 volts to every small thing that exists, so we have a center tap in our utility transformers.

[@femboyelectronics6441]

why tho?

[@uwezimmermann5427]

instead you are sending twice the current down every single wire...

[@femboyelectronics6441]

@@uwezimmermann5427 yup lol

[@timramich]

@@femboyelectronics6441 So what? If something draws a few watts, why do we need 240 volts to power it? We use 240 volts for higher-powered stuff, like large appliances such as ovens/stoves, clothes dryers, HVAC stuff... Stuff that also isn't being plugged and unplugged like the lower-powered stuff, and is often hard-wired. What's way different is that we only have 120 volts from live to ground at any point. You have 220 volts from live to ground at every point. To get our 240 volts through a person, they would need to somehow grab both live conductors at the same time. Why do you think 220-240 volts needs to be available at an outlet for small things?

[@jesperwall839]

Those have been used for ages without anyone dying.

[@davidfalconer8913]

Total rubbish ! ... these little gizmos has saved me from DEATH ! ...... DAVE™🛑

[@mikep9690]

You have to admit that the higher the HZ the safer it is ,sorry but 60 is better than 50. We should all switch to 400 HZ and death by electrocution would be almost eliminated.

[@trevorbyford]

What a waste of my time watching this - Not very good reasons mate.

[@Pablud3S]

So the tool is problematic because you can break it or store it improperly? I wish all bad reviews would be so easy to dismiss...