Comparing popular NCVT's on Wet Romex
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2015
- This video shows why NCVT's, or Non-Contact Voltage Testers, have difficulty detecting voltages through wet Romex. Several popular brands are tested, including Klein, Fluke, Milwaukee, and Flir.
Models shown are:
Fluke 1AC - amzn.to/2DQ60cd
Fluke LVD-2 - amzn.to/32tbMeb
Klein NCVT-1 - amzn.to/3hdhjcK
Klein NCVT-2 - amzn.to/3joG4F4
Klein NCVT-3 - amzn.to/3jg64lK
Milwaukee 2202-20 - amzn.to/3fGSo0Z
Flir VP50 - amzn.to/3hmDDkD
Commercial Electric MS8907 - No Longer Available
Southwire 40110 - amzn.to/30kirVs
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional charge to you.
Just discovered your channel. Never knew this was even possible. Your videos are so informative and to the point. So many key tips that others don't mention. Subscribed and watching all of your videos now!
Wow, I learned something. We use these in our pool business to check for voltage all the time, had no idea water could block a signal so effectively. Big thumbs up.
wow. never had this problem. Very good video to give guys a heads up! Didn't even know that this can happen. thank you for the video
+dean bornman
Thanks Dean. That was the intent of this video, a "heads up" to be aware of situations like this. I know many people who think NCVT's of all brands are total junk, but they just don't know the limitations. This is a big limitation.
Medical grade MC has a metal stripe like the old flex used to have, well might that block the emf also ? Great video thanks
@@TheMcdrewb great question
Thank you for taking the time to educate.
This video was ridiculously informative, incredible job!
Thanks for the great video. Wish I saw it a year ago, I threw a Klein tester off a roof top and swore that just like my meters, I’d never trust another brand voltage detector other than Fluke because it couldn’t tell me where I was losing my voltage on a wet cable.
Maybe I’ll swing by tomorrow and see if I can find my Klein in the bushes, thanks again for for the great video!
Romex or NM/B should never be used outside or in moist locations. Romex or NM/B is only approved for indoor and protected locations. Outside and in moist locations you should be using either UF, if you want a non-metallicly sheathed wire otherwise you should be using conduit.
As a side note I’ve been an electrician going into a third decade and love Fluke non-contact voltage detectors exclusively as I’ve found them to be best. That said I’ve found false positives more of an issue with cheaper detectors and haven’t had false negatives be much of an issue. I will say non-contact only goes so far and you should be using a wired tester before working on electric, to include cutting wires.
Really useful tut on non contact voltage testers and how water can stop it working!
I wish I knew that today I’ve been cutting wet wires not knowing there live and shits blowing up in my face and putting holes in my tools I need to show my co workers this thank you for posting this!!
Thanks for the strategies you have discussed here.
Thanks... Did not know. How could anybody not "LIKE" this video when you just saved their life?
I have never encountered wet Romex in 20 years of being an electrician. But I'll keep this in mind if I do!
What a great, thorough video!
Solid video. Great visual, and objective test. You know you're subject matter. Subbed =]
Working in the electrical industry I never questioned how these devices worked. Just that they did. Lol! That said I really like the Fluke brand of testers I also like the quality of Klein tools. In the past I would have wished that fluke made special edition meters with the Klein tools icon on them and orange. Just like they did for Xerox my dad used to work for them and he had a fluke meter that was all grey and had “Xerox” on it next to the fluke name.
Informative, to the point, and educational. Great video.
Wow, did not know this was a thing! I would like to see a comparison like in an elec. box, to see which tester is better at isolating a faulty breaker.
Very useful information. I'll be passing this along for sure.
People saying Klein tools not good
That's a lie
Klein tools are excellent and easy to use its very good I'll recommend Klein anytime
Their NCV tester is dog poop. Using one right now
Over priced on Alots of stuff their side cutter “give me those kleins” are above the rest but along with a handful of high end stuff and a few gems (the highlevelage stripper” Milwaukee is a lower price and better product when not equal..I have to red white and blue 2000’s special edition
thank you very much!!! I learn very important today from you sir!!
So which is best and more sensitive?
Thank you for the great video!
Awesome video!, I learned something today, thank you for the heads up!
Thanks for caring and making an awesome video!
Beautiful demonstration!
Wow THANKS...
WICH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO USE... OR WICH DO YOU PREFER TO USE?
Great video! Very informative thanks!
Thank you for this wonderful explanation
Man! What an amazing little tool I gotta give it to you I have one collected dust 😆 in my working toolbox 🧰 God knows when 🤔 never knew thanks a bunch buddy
Thanks for the post.
Thanks this is very helpful what other exceptions are there? Good to know other examples as well.
Good job. Thank you
Are any of these usable as an audio test for ignition coil function from a spark plug lead?
- Thanx, good info to have.
The Fluke 1AC has been my go to NCVT but I find the constant tone gets washed out by other noises when I'm on a different floor switching breakers. I absolutely hate the Southwire tester but I think I'm going to get a Klein because it beeps and seems quite loud. The Klein NCVT-3 is nice but you can't stab it into a receptacle and leave the room. The NCVT-2 might be the one.
Dang, an actual informative video!
Great video! Thank you, sir!
the flir vp50 has a 24v setting also
Excellent. Thanks!
Thank you.
Excellent video my friend, thank you
Informative. But where are you getting plastic coated romex with paper inside??
I regularly come into contact with old cloth covered wire with paper inside. But here in Canada I've never seen plastic coated with paper. Been at it 15 years myself
So which is best and more sensitive ?
Excellent safety video
Superb explanation thank you. Interestingly I have just returned a Non contact voltage detector as it failed to live up to my expectations . I see now that I expected too much. I resorted to a clamp on amp meter but still had problems, however the supplier let me keep the ‘unsuitable for use’ item so I will use it more considerately now, thanks to your video.
Very cool thanks for explaining 👍
Great job thank you
Hey carnal muchas gracias muy buena informacion
Thanks for the video.
Some of these are waste of money because they work a few times only, then become useless pieces of plastic. Vangard (from HF?) is what I have at the moment, ready for the trash can after being used maybe 10 times. Never had a reliable one in about 60 years.
I was always told to never 100% believe my voltage tester, actually I have a boss who calles it a dumby stick. I was always told to always double check with your multimeter regardless what the stick says.
I’d say that first Klein is the one to have
Really interesting. Got me thinking if I can apply this theory to a problem I am having on a car. I have an ABS ECU that is loosing connection on the CAM Bus Network when the road is wet/damp. Replaced the ECU, but wondering if water is getting in somehow. This test might show me if there is water in the cable somewhere. Pondering - thank you
Definitely can be a thing after seeing this video
Well as usual all these comments I see the tools only as good as the guy using it. I have a Klein works just fine.
Which one is your favourite & why? Thanks
Great advice
Very useful information
Perfect video
What kind of battery should i use in my commercial eléctric AC volt tester
Outstanding
Would like to see this done with the Santronics NCV tester.
So for reliability which one you recommend?
Any idea which one has the longest range? Wanting to trace live wire behind drywall.
Nice Video.
Thanks
Supper nice Two Tone Datejust with Jubilee. I like.
I am in Namibia and we have something called surflex similar to the romax but foil/plate instead of paper but I think it will do the same if there is water in the cable when I get my meter I will test..
Which is ur go to ncvt?
Well can anyone tell me what is the best ... I did not understand English very well
What do you think is the best tester in your opinion I got the Milwaukee, but the button broke off so I have to get a new one. I preferably want a tester with a light, such as the Southwire but I've heard some bad things about it such as it miss reads and says there is voltage where there is not voltage?
+Steven_Singh96 Hi Steven,I have used just about every tester ever made. If I were to pick a top one right now, it would be the new Klein NCVT-3. The light is brighter than the Milwaukee you are looking to replace, and is independent of the unit being on. So, when you don't need the light, you won't be wasting battery power. The LED graph for detection levels is very nice as well.
+Steven_Singh96 If you tell me what features you like in a NCVT, I can make some recommendations. Things like Lighted, sensitivity, size, on/off button location, loudness, mute feature, etc. Tell me your ideal features, and I can tell you what models come the closest for you.
Is HarborFright's el chepo $5 tester any worst than others?
you should of tested a Sperry VD6505 Low voltage to 600v Adjustables Tester
Useful at detecting if the ground of the equipment is live and with a bad ground, a lot get shocked like that
Is that the Klein that's RECALLED AT HOME DEPOT?
Would it change anything if you put a load on one end of that cable? And run some amperes through? Does drawing current have an effect on emf?
I think these testers only detect electric fields. An electric field is present when there is voltage.
Current creates a magnetic field and I don't think these testers detect magnetic fields.
Hi,..
Do they make a non contact detector that can read/
Be used on a 12 volt DC system .. for automotive electrical trouble shooting..?
Thanks.. Richard
No. Non Contact voltage is for AC only. You can do Non Contact DC current flow, but not voltage only.
Klein Tools Non-Contact Voltage Tester Model NCVT-1 was recalled in June 2021 due to shock hazard.
why ground wire blocks magnetic field ?
it was present there already before paper got wet , why it was not blocking then?
The wet paper conducts with the ground wire, forming something of a Faraday cage around the AC wires. As he briefly mentioned in the video, this blocks the electro-magnetic field that the detector would pick up. The effect is similar to what you get with an armored cable or a shielded coax cable -- the non-contact detectors are not going to detect AC, even if present.
We have so many inexpensive meters now days. When I started in the trade the only meters you saw anyone carry was a yellow Ideal Vol-Con tester or a Wiggy. No NCVT in the early 80's...I don't think.
Question...
Is there a 12 volt DC non contact detector for automotive use and repairs...
If so
? Where can I in get one...?
Thsnk you..sir..
Richard. ..
Hi Richard,
There is no such thing as a NCVT for DC. They only work for AC. With that said, I do know some people use AC NCVT’s on cars for signals like ignition wires. Since the DC is pulsing, the NCVT can pick up a signal. But, for straight DC like lighting, it won’t work.
@@MultiMeterChannel Thanks, I even learned from reading your comment section! I was wondering the same question.
Great video, thanks
RF frequency from my internet at my philippines house is affected when rain soaks the coconut trees.. im in a jungle .
I wonder if the detectors would have picked up signal better on wet wires without a bare ground running through them?
Yes, they would have detected better. Water is conductive, and the bare ground wire is making the wet paper in the Romex at ground potential. This is essentially putting a "ground shield" around the hot wire. Without the bare ground inside, you wouldn't have that shield.
That's why they earn the nickname "idiot detector". Flukes are the best? I've broken 3 flukes, the tips snap right off in the pouch. Currently using the NCVT-3 and really like the strength meter but the downside is it always turns itself on in your pouch.
Hi, do you have a product to advice for car electrcial purposes, please? Like 0-15V range? Thanks
+karim hassane
For car work, you would need a DC detector. There is no such thing as a DC non contact detector.
+MultiMeter Channel Thanks.
karim hassane
ms2108a almost free and does the very good job. Especially AC/DC clamp current.
P. Lach Thanks mate!
Отличный набор тестеров👍
Real question why do you have paper in electrical wire asking for fire to start.
So basically the wet paper basically turns the Romex into a temporarily shielded cable.
In the uk the wire doesn’t have paper inside it
Try with MC please
Tested a light switch today and when it was switched on it wouldn't show voltage but I would switch it off and it would does someone know what happening
That is a "switched neutral" instead of the correct way to wire "switched hot". On a switched neutral, when the switch is on, both wires going to the switch are at ground, and the NCVT does not detect voltage. But, when the switch is off, the NCVT detects the voltage coming through the load to the switch. Switched neutrals can really confuse people.
@@MultiMeterChannel thank you
MultiMeter channel is certainly correct I would just add that a reversed neutral, specifically on a light fixture energizes the lamps(bulbs) base. Meaning if you make contact where you screw/twist/seat the lamp, you can fairly easily ground yourself and get hit because that base is now LIVE. One of the reasons reversing polarity is SO dangerous. Always check for polarity if it is reversed it must be fixed. And that along with what this great video shows is why I always have a good old wiggy with me. Thanks for the great video!
You'd think by now with all the smartphones and game controllers that more manufacturers would be producing vibrating detectors. There's situations where sound or sight alone just don't work, and I'm sure there are plenty of electricians with sensory impairments.
Very well done video on volt ticks. Your demo shows anyone very clearly why many pro's in the trades do not trust these testers. Like you said, know the limits of your testers. I have been an electrician for 30 years and know this is a factor when you try to meggar wires in the field. I have never heard from anyone about this same issue as it relates to NCV testers. Very impressive.
Can the tester be fooled into thinking dry Romex is dead when it's not?
Great video, Fluke did the worst. 😂
contrary to the common belief, the water especially pure... (rain seems to be kind of perfect) is actually a pretty good insulator, and that's what happened here.
I just bought the Commercial Elect MS8907H thinking they all work the same and boy was i wrong. I was told these guys can tell polarity in outlets but this one can't tell shit. It just beeps at everything too over sensitive. Sometimes it'll stop beeping if you leave it in neg about 10 seconds and stops but if you leave it in positive it'll continue beeping indefinitely. Problem is it doesn't do this reliably enough for my taste. If you move it slightly while waiting for it to stop in the neg it'll skip beats and start over.
The Milwuakee voltage stick sucks. The off on button is notorious for falling off. And they still have not changed the design.
Anytime every tell you you should like Dustin Hoffman?
How much
Por fabor toda enseñansa que sea traducia a español ya que hay personas de habla español que lo compra y quiere saber sus comentarios gracias
the fluke was still flashing red is the wet area
cheifwaxallday420
The red flash is what Fluke calls the “heartbeat” so you know the unit is on. It needs to be beeping to indicate voltage present.