What would you add to electrical test kit?


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Old 03-22-17, 09:14 AM
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What would you add to electrical test kit?

Hello all,
I have the following in my electrical test kit. I understand, HD is having a sale on Klein tools thru March.
What would you add to and/or replace in my homeowner/DIYer's electrical test kit?

My homeowner/DIYer electrical test kit:
Milwaukee Non-Contact Voltage Tester
HF - Cen-Tech 7 Function Digital Multimeter
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Last edited by c1351996; 03-22-17 at 09:33 AM.
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Old 03-22-17, 09:35 AM
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#1 to have is a simple outlet tester. Clamp on meter is nice to play with.
Klein Tools Electrical Maintenance and Test Kit-CL110KIT - The Home Depot

Also get a cheap analog meter as the digital can measure ghost voltages.
 
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Old 03-22-17, 10:09 AM
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Those two items you've shown aren't Klein products.

That is a good meter but as a perfect match to it I'd recommend a voltage tester. You can use an analog meter but this is more convenient. I use the electronic version of this that runs over $100.

This is easy to carry and use. Has the perfect amount of load built-in for proper circuit testing..... and all for $21.

Klein Tools Voltage Tester-ET50
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Old 03-22-17, 12:12 PM
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I'll second PJ's recommendation and add a GFCI receptacle "bug" tester.



Klein Tools GFCI Receptacle Tester-RT210 - The Home Depot
 
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Old 03-22-17, 01:46 PM
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The tick tracer pictured first only shows the presence of electrical current. It can also detect induced currents which won't be beneficial to you. Never use it to detect electricity in a particular wire as the induced current from a closeby wire will give you a false positive.
Using an analog meter will not fool you, as a digital will. Digital meters will show phantom voltages, which, if you don't know they are there, will throw you off.
 
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Old 03-22-17, 05:08 PM
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I don't like that meter. Appears to be only a Cat2. Looks to have leads that have a live, exposed end. The beginnings of an arc/fault burn.
 
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Old 03-25-17, 05:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Astuff
#1 to have is a simple outlet tester. Clamp on meter is nice to play with.
Klein Tools Electrical Maintenance and Test Kit-CL110KIT - The Home Depot

Also get a cheap analog meter as the digital can measure ghost voltages.
Thanks!
I was considering that combo.

Do you mean a cheap analog "multi meter"??
 
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Old 03-25-17, 06:00 AM
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This is what we refer to an inexpensive multimeter. Power Gear 500-Volt Analog Multimeter-50952 - The Home Depot
 
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Old 03-25-17, 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by PJmax
Those two items you've shown aren't Klein products.

That is a good meter but as a perfect match to it I'd recommend a voltage tester. You can use an analog meter but this is more convenient. I use the electronic version of this that runs over $100.

This is easy to carry and use. Has the perfect amount of load built-in for proper circuit testing..... and all for $21.

Klein Tools Voltage Tester-ET50
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Thanks!
I know the items I've shown are not Klein, as I labeled them Milwaukee and HF, respectively. I mentioned Klein because they seem to be a popular and often recommended brand and I heard about the sale @ HD. I thought it might be a good opportunity to add to or upgrade my homeowner/DIYer's electrical test kit and/or at least let my friends here know of the sale, in case they wanted to take advantage.

Which meter "is a good meter" that you'd recommend the voltage meter, as a perfect match for???
 
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Old 03-25-17, 06:31 AM
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The voltage meter measures voltage. That's about it. The multimeter will measure voltage, amps, and resistance. Thus the nomenclature "multimeter".
 
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Old 03-25-17, 07:50 AM
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A 600 amp AC/DC clamp amp meter. Note: Read the sales advertising claims/specifications VERY carefully. Many of these will be 600 amps AC, but maybe only 10 or 100 amps DC. But sure it is also 600 amps capacity DC.

And an analog multimeter (one with a mechanical needle). These use more current for resistance checking. And they are instantly responsive if you are looking for intermittent breaks in wiring connections - connect the meter and wiggle the wires to see if there is a loose connection. (Automotive work.)

Also a telco wireless toner/tracer to trace wires in the wall.

And a "stud finder".
 
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Old 03-26-17, 11:39 AM
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If you are looking for electrical testing items then go with a basic digital multimeter.
But for the bulk of your actually electrical testing a good handheld voltage tester is needed. That's why I recommended that handheld Klein tester. At $21 you cannot go wrong.


Fluke makes some of the finest test equipment. I have dozens of meters from them.
I've been asked what is my "go to" meter. It is this one from Fluke. The probes store in the back and when testing you can put one probe pointing out from the back of the meter making for simple two hand use.

Fluke-T-Pro-Electrical-Tester
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Old 03-26-17, 12:16 PM
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My electrical testing tools consist of:

Non-contact voltage tester for simple quick check if power is off
Fluke 7-600 meter for general trouble shooting / testing.
Ideal Clamp on/multi meter with capacitance function for testing capacitors.
Receptacle tester shown above with GFCI test function.
 
 

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