What is the best way to see if an electrical wire is hot?

Question

When you go up to a downed wire, or an electric fence, what is the best way to test to see if its on, or "hot". Some people say to use a piece of wood, but in my eyes that wont do anything but protect you from the shock, not tell you whether its "hot" or not.

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

You have no business approaching any downed utility wire.

DON"T. - Even Medium Voltage lines can be dangerous 20'+ away.

If you're engaged in repair of an electric, fence, or anything else

normally powered, you have a meter or test lamp to check for voltage

before you touch anything.

Those who do this regularly have learned to use them.

Answer 2

Why would you risk life and limb for something you know nothing about.  If you have to move the wire, a very long dry limb or stick to push it out of harm will do.

But if there is no emergency, then don't!

Or touch it with your tongue.  If it blows your head of, it was live.

Answer 3

There is no safe way, stay away from the fence.

Answer 4

Touch it

Answer 5

Use a clamp multimeter. It can measure current going through a wire without needing you to touch it directly.

Answer 6

If you see a "downed" wire, you need to report it. Ideally direct to the supply authority if you know who that is. If not, then your local police. The supply authority have a good procedure when it comes to this as the safety of their workers rely on it.

Your electric fence, if you care enough whether its on or not, then either follow it to the source or just touch it.

The piece of wood wont do anything for you because you have no idea of its resistance so, it may be dry and appear dead when its not or be wet and shock you anyway.

Answer 7

You get a voltmeter made specifically for an electric fence. The only bad thing is that the clips are not that well insulated and I taped them up to improve it. Normall the bottom wire is the earth and the first one up is the hot wire, you clip the one lead to the bottom wire and the other to the one above then the one above it to make sure. Wait a while for it to register.