Does anyone know how an electrical mains tester works?

Question

i have brought a mains tester to test some sockets at home,its shapedlike a screwdriver and i'm placing the screwdriver edn into the socket as told in the instructions, then placing my finger on the metal conector on the handle, nothing is happening even on sockets i know work, is it me or the tester

Answer 1

yes plug it in lol tc

Answer 2

the tester must come into contact with the live connections inside the socket, but tester like the one you mentioned are not reliable because the fuse inside the handle can blow easily, you then think that the socket is not live and you touch it, ouch

Answer 3

that screwdriver aint for that job dont stick that in the plug socket. you might need a voltage reader.

Answer 4

Those testers require that your body becomes part of the electrical circuit (by putting your finger on the end).

Only then, with a live contact on one end and you in electrical contact with ground will it light up. NOT a good idea and any competent electrician won't use them. In fact they are prohibited from use under the EAWR 1989 (doesn't apply to DIY-ers / unpaid work) which is why they are still sold.

Could be that you are wearing insulating footwear or the light/ led is crackered.

Answer 5

You wont get any response unless you depress the top where the pin of a plug fits. Until this is open, the othere pins will stay closed.

Answer 6

Unscew the socket and pull it away from the wall, about 2 or 3 in, you can put the end of your tester on the positive cable and your finger on the other end it should light up, but it would be a good idea to test the tester first on something that you know is working ok.

Answer 7

if the socket is not working when you plug something in then it is very likely that there is no feed reaching the socket in the first place so you obviously would get no reading on your tester.. first remove the socket plate by undoing the two securing bolts then put the point of the screwdriver tester on the red / live feed cable touch the finger plate and if the feed is live the light in the handle should come on.

check it on a socket that you know is working first just in case it is a faulty tester that you have.

be careful not to touch bare wires or cross them with the tester or your fingers

Answer 8

A screwdriver type tester works thus; from the live terminal [righthand one looking at the socket] via the metal shaft, current flows up to a small neon light then a resister and on to the metal end and finally to the ground through ones body. Since all sockets in this country are shuttered, it is intentionally  difficult to contact the live terminal. Preferably done under the supervision of someone with electrical knowledge.