How to use the indicator screwdriver correctly?

Existing types of

devices First let's see what kind of indicator screwdrivers are and what is the advantage of each type. To date, it is common to use the following varieties of indicators:

1. An ordinary probe without a battery with a bulb. The operating principle of this model is quite simple: the current hits the sting, then goes to the resistor, is limited and goes to the indicator light. We draw your attention to the fact that there is a metal nickle on top of the screwdriver, which is the second contact. To check the wiring, the person's finger must necessarily be on this penny, otherwise the probe will not work( the circuit will not be closed).The advantage of this model is low cost and simple construction. The second advantage is immediately the main drawback - the indicator screwdriver without a battery has a minimal set of functions that allows only to find the phase and zero, or check the voltage in the socket. You can not find a break of a neutral wire or a phase with such a tool, becausethe display threshold is quite high - over 60 volts.
   
2. Indicator with battery. A more advanced version of the probe - with a power source and LED.In appearance, they practically do not differ from the previous model, but if you look inside, you can see a bipolar transistor, which is shown in the diagram below. The indicator screwdriver with a battery can be used for the following operations: phase / zero, plus and minus detection( in the car), an open circuit and the location of the wiring under the plaster. The last possibility allows you to find the wire in the wall in a non-contact way, but the error can be high. Advantages of a screwdriver with a battery is that, in comparison with a conventional probe, such a device can be used even to check the integrity of the conductors and fuses, which makes it multifunctional. For home use, the battery indicator is best suited.
3. Electronic indicator screwdriver with LCD display. This model is multifunctional and in addition to what includes all the above described functions, so it can additionally determine the voltage value( in the range from 12 to 220 V).In addition, an electronic indicator can be used to detect hidden wiring. In fact, the electronic probe is a mini version of the multimeter. Due to the fact that its cost is 3-4 times higher than usual indicators and at the same time the functions are not so much as for a full-fledged tester, professional electricians use it extremely rarely. For home electricians, self-taught, this option is also not recommended;overpayment will be significant, and all functions will still not be used.

Here we have considered the most popular types of indicator screwdrivers. Next, we'll look at how to use each of the models for the most common situations that can happen at home.

Tips for using the

At home, the indicator may be needed for the following reasons:

• find the phase and zero in the socket or the luminaire;
• make sure of the presence of voltage in the mains;
• determine the electrical appliance from which the phase breakdown occurs on the body;
• check the operation of the electrical extension;
• find the wire in the wall under the tile or plaster.

Before using the indicator, it should be checked. To do this, it is recommended to check the work on the site under voltage( this way we will know if the indicator light comes on at all).In addition, if the probe is a battery, you can check as follows: with one finger touch the sting, the other to the pyat and if the light comes on( as shown in the photo), then the device is working.

So, consider the instructions on how to properly use the indicator screwdriver in each situation.

Phase / scratch search

The first and most popular situation in which you have to use a probe is when you need to find a phase conductor, if there is no color coding of the wires. In this case, it is necessary to switch off the electricity on the input shield, then touch the screw with one of the wires with a screwdriver. If the light comes on, you have found the phase, no - 0.

Do not forget to touch the finger with a finger until you use a conventional probe, otherwise you will not be able to determine the polarity! If the indicator screwdriver is equipped with a battery, there is no need to touch the pin.

To determine if there is any voltage in the network, it's enough just to touch the socket with a stinger. The LED is on, there is voltage, no, then no.

Determination of leakage

The second reason for using a test screwdriver at home is when you need to find out where the current is leaking, or in other words, a breakdown to the body of the appliance. In this case, both the usual probe and the electronic version can cope with the problem. To use in this case simply - you need to bring a sting to the barbell grounding in one of the outlets. If the LED lights up, then a leak occurs.

Then you need to act by exclusion method, namely:

• disconnect all electrical appliances from the network;
• alternately turn on each device and check for leaks;
• lamp does not light up - the technology is OK, lights up - there is a leak on the device.

Looking for wire break

If the electricity does not go to the sockets and electrical appliances in the room, but there is power at the input, you can try to determine the wire break with the indicator screwdriver. The probe, of course, does not show so well the site of the damage to the buried wiring, but, nevertheless, the electronic device will be able to detect an approximate breakaway zone. To do this, it is necessary to use the wiring diagram in the house to conduct a sting at the location of the cable in the wall from the junction box to the outlet. Where there is a breakage, the bulb should stop burning.

The second method of searching is to check the entire line. In this case, you can not determine by the indicator where the contact breaks, but you can at least make sure that it is there. By the way, in this case it is possible to use even the simplest indicator screwdriver with a battery. All you need is to cut off the electricity on the shield, take one bare wire in one hand, and touch the probe with the second probe. This method creates a closed circuit and if the breakage does exist, the light bulb should not catch fire.

We immediately draw your attention to the fact that it is necessary to check the break on the fixture with the power switched off, but with the light switch on. If you forget to close the circuit on the switch, the indicator of the screwdriver will show that the circuit is broken, but it does not say that there is a breakage!

I would also like to add one more case, which is often found in everyday life. To check the working lamp, you need to take it with your fingers at the base and touch with a sting to the central contact. At the same time, the finger should lie on the pentagon of the handle. If the indicator light in the handle lights up, then the lamp itself works!

Checking the extension

Well, the last point I would like to stop on is how to use the indicator screwdriver correctly when checking the electrical extension cord. Here things are a bit more complicated, so pay close attention to the material described below.

First it is necessary to disconnect the "carry" from the network and other electrical appliances. After this, it is necessary to make a jumper from the wire and insert it between the sockets of one of the sockets of the unit( short circuit).Further everything is quite simple - you need to take a finger one of the electrodes of the plug, and to touch the second probe tip. The result is determined as always - the indicator light is on, it means everything is working, no, accordingly, no.

Do not forget to remove the jumper from the socket after the test, otherwise a short circuit in the mains will occur when the transfer is connected. If the indicator shows that the product does not work, we recommend making an electric extension cord with your own hands, and not repairing the old one!

Here we have analyzed all the most popular cases in which you need to know how to use a test screwdriver with a battery and without a power source. We hope that now you understand the principle of the operation of the probe and the situation in which it can be used.
Also read:

• How to determine phase and zero without instruments
• How to use the multimeter
• What tools should an electrician have