TOPIC: Electric Testers

It evaluates 6 different things, one glance, including the wiring your "plug tester" does...

I use an Ideal 61-65 Circuit Analyzer sometimes to see if there are any false grounds and to test AFCI.

I have gone thru 3 of them in about 3 years. The cords also dont last very long. I would never buy one again but at least the keep sending me new ones when the break.

I keep a greenline Voltage detector to test for live wires and energized panel covers.

I mostly use the simple electrical tester like John to test most outlets and GFCI.

I also have a simple tester for 2 prong outlets.

I used to use those Ideals also, but as you said, they go bad after a while.  I think either the prongs on the device or how they connect into the electric test cable goes bad.  They start to give erratic results.

I changed to the one I use now, though I still have a bunch of those Ideals laying around.  With a 3-2 adapter I can test the two-prong outlets.  Easy, peasy.

I'll tell ya, as a guy who use to calibrate, repair, and certify test equipment for nine years, I don't care much for the Ideal brand.  Although I never checked any testers like what we use, I did check multi-meters, clamp meters, etc on a daily basis.  They suck!!!  lol  And if that's any indication of the quality of the rest of their equipment, well, they suck!!!

Oh and Jay, thanks again, I hadn't thought about using a 3-2 adapter to check two prong outlets.  It just made the top of my purchase list!!!  I knew there was a reason I pay you so much. 

As well as a AFCI and a GFCI, and multie meter I also use a amp prob, and I show the client how much each circuit is drawing when everything is running.

I have a few different testers. It all depends on what I am testing.

1. Pen style "sniffer"
2. Suretest 61-165
3. Fieldpiece multimeter
4. 3 light plug in outlet tester.