8 Oct
2007
8 Oct
'07
12:28 a.m.
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007, Tony Duell wrote:
There have been reports of the accuracy -- or lack of
it -- of those
cheap meters, Many of them do odd things if the internal battery is flat
(and don't rely on the 'battery low' indicator for this), and there have
been problems due to the poor quality switches used.
A friend of mine was nearly killed due to this. He tested some wiring
for voltage-to-earth and the meter said it was essentially dead. SO he
started workign, alas the meter was malfuctioning, and he got the full
mains volatege across him. He imediately went and bought an expensive
mad reliable neter.
I usually check for voltage 3-4 different ways before I work on mains
wiring. My first test is usually with a non-contact voltage tester. Then I
test with my good old Square D Wiggy tester. If I'm really concerned, then
I'll check it with my Fluke DMM. Even after all those show something dead,
I still check it with the back of my hand or finger.