Best Voltage Testers For Electricians
Voltage testers are used by most electricians daily and are a ‘must’ if you’re working on anything that you don’t know is live. The market offers many brands and models. The best voltage testers for electricians are reliable, accurate, and offer the best price-to-quality ratio.
Fortunately, we’ve listed the best options down below.
Contents
The best voltage testers are:
- Fluke 1AC II — Top pick
- Kewtech — Dual sensitive
- Fluke LVD2 — Built-in flashlight
- Martindale NC4 — Alternative pick
- Reenwee — Combo pick
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Product
Top Pick
Fluke 1AC II
Pros
- Safe to use
- Easy to use
- Not too sensitive
- The highest positive reviews
Cons
- Can be more expensive than less known models
If you’re an electrician, you’ve seen this around plenty of times. It’s known as the safest voltage tester. The pocket-sized voltage detector by Fluke is one of the best non-contact voltage testers that’s also easy to use – simply touch the tip to an outlet or wire.
Voltage is present when the tip glows red, and the unit beeps. It’s so good you can trace live wires in walls, so electricians, maintenance service personnel, and homeowners can quickly detect energised circuits.
What we like
Known brand: Fluke’s testing and troubleshooting capabilities have become mission critical in manufacturing industries since its founding in 1948.
Easy to use: The tip glows bright red and beeps if a current is detected.
Safe: Voltbeat technology and continuous self-test – so you always know it’s working
How do I know if the tester is functioning properly?
Every tester is slightly different. However, an LED light will turn red when on a live electrical cable. You can test to ensure your tester is working by using it on a known live circuit and a dead circuit.
Voltage testers are accurate because they work when a magnetic field sensor detects current voltage energy in wires near the probe. Voltage testers detect incoming currents in electrical cables without splicing. Consequently, there is no reliance on electricity or use of electricity in the unit.
What is the best instrument for electrical testing?
It’s a multimeter. In addition to performing various tests in various ways, multimeters are sensitive electrical devices. Their accuracy allows them to accurately measure voltage, current, continuity, capacitance, and frequency.
Check out our best multimeter picks here.
Is a voltage tester the same as a multimeter?
In contrast to a multimeter, a voltage test only detects the presence of a voltage. Measurements can be performed with multimeters in a variety of ways.
A voltage tester is perfect for portability and checking if a cable is live and not to be used for an accurate reading.
Things to remember
You should move the probe up and down the length of the cable when using a non-contact tester as the Earth cable could be blocking the detection of the Live in a twisted core. Of course, you should test the device on a known Live before use (and after use if it didn’t find anything as it may be faulty).
You should NEVER use any device like neon screwdrivers to test for electricity. These devices are not reliable enough to put your life at risk, and they can easily be fooled if the Earth wire is blocking the Live wire in a tight space. Know your kit’s limitations and use it with caution.
Voltage Testers For Electricians Reviews
Kewtech
Pros
- Accurate
- Excellent for homeowners and Sparks
- Quality little tool
Cons
- Can rattle a bit
A unique feature of this tester is the dual sensitive non-contact voltage detector – simply press the desensitising button, and you can distinguish between live and earthed cables approximately 10mm apart.
You’ll find this tester to be a bit more sensitive, and you can turn it off when not in use. It has a two-tone feature that will change to red for voltage and green to show it’s working correctly. Also good is the short flashing beep confirmation that the device is switched on (like the Fluke has, but lots of cheaper ones don’t).
What we like
Designed for the UK: Kewtech manufactures innovative, accurate, and reliable test equipment that enables UK electrical contractors to complete their testing obligations quickly. An item with the “Kewtech” brand has been designed specifically for the UK market by a team with many years of experience.
Great battery life: Low power consumption circuits means long-life batteries.
Easy detection: A red LED indicates voltage, and an audible tone indicates voltage as well.
Fluke LVD2
Pros
- Also has a flashlight
- Loud beep
- Detects low voltages
Cons
- No audio feedback
Referred to as one of the best volt sticks by many electricians. However, Fluke did discontinue making it, but you can still pick it up on Amazon and other retailers. The primary feature that sets this apart is the handy torch you can use to find cables.
Also, it will turn blue when it picks up the low voltage. This will work on data signals like phone cables, CAT IV, etc. It will turn red for higher voltage. Definitely a great tester to keep in your trouser pocket while at work.
What we like
Dual Sensitivity: Can pick up different voltages.
LED light: This has 100,000 hour life
Known brand: Fluke’s testing and troubleshooting capabilities have become mission critical in manufacturing industries since its founding in 1948.
Martindale NC4
Pros
- LED torch
- Great visual and audible
- Dual sensitivity
Cons
- Problems with the lifespan
The NC4 voltage tester can accurately detect AC voltages in two sensitivity ranges. In the first, voltages between 50V and 1000V will be detected, and in the second, voltages between 12V and 1000V will be detected. Depending on the application, the sensitivity can be set, and when in high sensitivity mode, the LED pulses twice.
A longer probe tip provides better access to live wiring and makes it easier to identify it. A bright red LED illuminates the clear tip section, and a buzzer sounds when voltage is detected.
What we like
Audible alert: This tester has a clear audible alert.
LED torch: Can be used in low-light situations to help find the cables.
Ergonomic handle: It feels good in your hand.
Reenwee
Pros
- Value for money
- Digital display
- Socket and volt tester
Cons
- It’s been mentioned that the batteries in the tester are poor quality
This is a combination pick, meaning you get a volt stick and a socket tester in a bundle. One thing to note with both of these products is that a lot is going on. The tester has a gradient bar to tell what mode you’re in, but it’s a little confusing. However, it lights up red when there is a voltage and beeps.
What we like
Socket tester display: The RCD tester with an LCD display is a nice touch. It also has non-contact voltage detection and beeps.
Value for money: This combo is incredibly adorable and perfect for homeowners or electricians.
Flashlight: Not as powerful as the other options, but the end does light up so you can find the cables more easily.
Verdict
We have covered a few options to fit everyone’s budget and needs. A tester is vital for anyone wanting to work with electricity. It can save cutting into live cables and causing serious damage. Out of all the voltage testers, our top pick is the Fluke 1AC II from a well-known brand and is always a great pick.
We hope this article helped. Catch you in the next one.
