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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

17 Replies

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  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 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...?
  • 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.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer III
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Jun 28, 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 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.

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