3 Types of Voltage Testers Explained

Voltage testers are a key tool to have around the house, whether or not you’re much of a handyman. The tester allows you to determine whether or not there is an electric current coursing through your outlets or from your circuit breaker box. This is important whether you’re undertaking a rewiring job, or just trying to determine if one of your electrical gadgets is broken, or if there is a problem with your outlet. There are several different types of voltage testers available on the market, so keep reading to find out how the various models work. If you’re looking to buy a voltage tester for your home, remember to buy one that can test up to 500 volts. If you will use the tester for something else, such as to test an electric fence, for instance, you may need a more heavy-duty model.

Type 1: The Plug Voltage Tester

The plug voltage tester requires virtually no technical knowledge to use. It looks like a regular plug with three lights on the end. Simply stick the plug voltage tester into the outlet and observe which lights illuminate. There will be a sticker on the voltage tester that lets you determine which lights mean what. If no lights turn on, that means that there is no electrical current in the outlet. If only certain lights turn on, that could indicate that there is a current, but that there is a problem with the wiring. Double check against the key to be sure.

Type 2: The 2-Wire Voltage Tester

The 2-wire voltage tester is probably the cheapest and most readily available model on the market. This model consists of a node that is attached to two external wires. To use it, you put one wire on the ground wire (typically, the black or grey wire) or cable of the outlet or fuse that you are testing and touch the other wire to the “live” or “hot” wire (typically, the red one). The plastic node includes a light bulb. If it lights up, you know that there is electricity. However, this model of tester is not as sophisticated as the plug voltage tester, and is not able to alert you if there are any wiring problems. This model is also known as a “Wiggy” volt tester, based on the name of its inventor.

Type 3: Voltage Detector

This pen-like device is the simplest type of tester on the market. You simply hold it up to the outlet or wires that you wish to test, and the device will light up and/or emit a noise to let you know if there is an electric current or not. This is a handy piece of equipment for your run of the mill voltage testing, but it is the least sophisticated of all the types described above. It is best suited for the homeowner who doesn't intend to undertake any rewiring or electrical work him or herself, but who simply wants to have a tester handy in case of a malfunctioning electrical appliance.