TOPIC: Electric Testers

I have two Sure Tests, like the one I list above - two in case one fails.  But if they both die I also have the pen and outlet testers (regular and GFI) but not the multimeter.  What does that do and how?  I have seen them advertised, but never bought one.

Multimeters are measuring tools that typically measure volts, amps, and ohms all in one unit.  You can get them with tons of extra features but those are the basics of a multimeter.  I have a Fluke 77 with me on my inspections, but there is no reason to have it other than reading the voltage on a line and maybe frequency if it has that feature.

For us home inspectors, its a look good tool!!!  In my opinion, there are other tools we could actually use and still look good, like the GFCI/AFCI testers, gas detectors, IR cameras, etc.

On a side note, I've repaired MANY multimeters in my day.  If any of you do decide to get them, please be careful of how you hook them up in accordance to what you are trying to measure.  Not all meters can be repaired and they can be a little pricey!!!

I use my multimeter for a number of tasks. Most are usually beyond home inspecting.

Beside as an ohm meter, they are great for detecting other problems. For instance:

I was sent to trouble shoot an electric HW heater that we had installed. The client thought it was defective. Each side of the double breaker had power, but the heater would not heat... brand new heater.

Using the tester, I was able to determine that one side of the breaker was putting out 120 volts, the other side was putting out about 40 volts.

Before I state the cause, does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem was?

The problem could be present in any 220 device... and by the way, although all of the outlets in the space were live, some were also only putting out about 40 volts.

Did you mean 40 volts or 40 amps?  I'm assuming you meant 40 volts.

So your saying its a 220V system, one leg was 120V and the other leg was 40V and then some of the 120V outlets in the space are reading 40V.

That leads me to think one leg is only putting out 40V.

Am I right so far?

yes.

this happened a while ago. it may not have been exactly 40 volts. but it was a big voltage drop.

so, let's figure out what was going on. what would you do?

oh, i reread my post and see i said volts and then amps. i could be cute and say i was testing you, but that would not be true. i mean't volts. i'll go back and correct it.