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MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017

Test Light "Look Ma! No Ground Clip!

General Technologies Corp
GTC CT8002 Cordless Circuit Tester
4.6 out of 5 stars 53 customer reviews
| 3 answered questions
Price: $18.78 Free Shipping for Prime Members
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Professional cordless computer safe circuit tester constructed in rugged stainless steel requires no ground wire or clip and a safety V-groove accessory is provided for piercing and carrying
Negligible current draw ( 20 micro-amps) is 10,000 times less than regular lamp type testers and is completely safe when working around sensitive electronic control modules and sensors
Operates between 3 and 28 Volt DC in battery powered systems and has a light and sound indicator to give an audio and visual signal when positive voltage is detected
Solid state high impedance electronic circuitry
Long-life alkaline batteries installed

  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2017
    Hay thanks for the post. I've been thinking about Googling for something like that but just haven't had time.

    I like things that let you know immediately the results you looking for, I have several Fluke DMMs but use a test light more than the meters.

    I'll have the DW order asap.

    Thanks again.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2017
    Does this have to pierce the insulation, or is it proximity like this AC tester?

  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2017
    Bobbo wrote:
    Does this have to pierce the insulation, or is it proximity like this AC tester?



    Check out this description on how a proximity voltage detector works.

    Description
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2017
    The V-trough on the blue tester should touch the wire insulation. The AC proximity tester sometimes is way too sensitive. I wish they were adjustable. For a hoot, with the AC proximity tester, wave it at refrigerator, toaster, microwave. The housing not the connector.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2017
    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    The V-trough on the blue tester should touch the wire insulation. The AC proximity tester sometimes is way too sensitive. I wish they were adjustable. For a hoot, with the AC proximity tester, wave it at refrigerator, toaster, microwave. The housing not the connector.


    Some AC proximity testers do have adjustable sensitivity. Mine does via a set of up/down buttons. It is indeed an occasionally handy feature.
  • 4x4van's avatar
    4x4van
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2017
    That is not an AC proximity tester; it is a 12vdc test light like the type that normally use an alligator clip to ground. It actually uses your body as a ground path (hence the metal housing) and will only work if you are touching a grounded section of the vehicle you are testing the circuit on. I built one of these about 15 years ago using plans out of Popular Electronics. It uses a MOSFET transistor as a switch to turn on the bulb/buzzer (hence the battery); Although your body does not have the conductivity to act as a ground for a typical 12vdc circuit, it DOES have enough to act as the ground for the MOSFET.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Jun 30, 2017
    D.E.Bishop wrote:
    Check out this description on how a proximity voltage detector works.

    According to that article, a DC circuit can not be detected by a proximity tester.

    MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    The V-trough on the blue tester should touch the wire insulation.

    That is nice, but it doesn't answer the question, so:

    Bobbo wrote:
    Does this have to pierce the insulation, or is it proximity...?
  • vermilye's avatar
    vermilye
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2017
    Bobbo wrote:
    Does this have to pierce the insulation, or is it proximity like this AC tester?



    Unlike the AC equivalents, the GTC CT8002 Cordless Circuit Tester does require piercing the wire. The advantage is you don't need a ground connection.

    I wonder it anyone has attempted to make a hall effect version that would not require a positive connection.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 30, 2017
    vermilye wrote:
    Bobbo wrote:
    Does this have to pierce the insulation, or is it proximity like this AC tester?



    Unlike the AC equivalents, the GTC CT8002 Cordless Circuit Tester does require piercing the wire. The advantage is you don't need a ground connection.

    I wonder it anyone has attempted to make a hall effect version that would not require a positive connection.


    You do need a ground connection. The ground is YOU touching the ground of the appliance you are testing. That said, I ordered one and it came today. I tested on a bank of AGM's in my garage. Just touching the probe to the positive on the battery caused the GTC to light dimly and buzz. If I touched the negative with my finger, it went to full led and full sound. NEAT TOOL. Doug

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