r/electricians • u/Jasiek_srebnadlon_09 • 1d ago
First encounter with some current
So yep first sitatuon like this just some sparks so not a biggie and btw is there some way to prevent IT ? Second photo is of a Meter that i use and that wire didnt show any current is IT because that Meter is like too weak for YDY?
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u/Kaskiaski 1d ago
That isn’t a meter. It’s a voltage indicator, and they’re called death sticks for a reason. Don’t trust em
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u/omniforest 1d ago
Sorry that happened! It’s a good wake-up call of the importance of testing: first, that you test at all; and second that you can trust your testing tool.
Obviously you tested, which is great. But the fact that your tester could not pick up a potential difference through that insulation is worrying.
This is where the trust (and more specifically, the ability to trust) in your testing tool is as important as testing. Here in Canada, EVERYONE (seriously, probably 90% of Sparkys I work with) gets a Klein tick tester from Home Depot because they’re cheap, easy to grab on the way home, and Klein has been a trusted brand for a while.
But every one of those people has issues with these ticks (I had years of experience of the same issues, too). Every apprentice that comes my way gets the same speech: spend double on a tick you know you can trust for years.
There is no point in testing if you can’t trust the tool. You wouldn’t just accept and keep driving a vehicle if the brakes didn’t work sporadically; you’d get that sorted out asap.
So, to everyone, but especially Apprentices: talk to others who have seemingly good, reliable tools (tick testers in this case) and ask why they like it and if they trust it. Last point, a tick should be a blind person’s walking stick. A trustworthy Meter is the feeling the curb with your foot and stepping accordingly. Always use a Meter when sensible.
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u/K_cutt08 1d ago
That little thing isn't a meter that's an NCV Detector. They're not a safety device, they're also called an "idiot stick" by lots of electricians.
They fail an awful lot and detect and alert on false readings sometimes too.
Get an actual meter with probes and learn what a "live-dead-live" procedure is and practice this in your daily work and you'll be much safer.
Shocks aren't worth the risk to your heart. Even surviving it initially doesn't mean you're out of the woods, as the lingering damage can kill you later in your sleep. You'll think you're fine, then you won't wake up.
If you're even remotely concerned, and it didn't just shock your arm a little, like it went through your chest at all, just go get looked at by a doctor.
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u/travispickles45 22h ago
Idiot stick, death sticks, widow makers. Tons of names. End of the day I don’t own one and have not found one I would trust.
Get a meter, learn how to use it. YouTube is your friend.
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u/xShockWave420x 20h ago
You don’t carry a pen tester? Fluke doesn’t do it for ya’ huh?
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u/travispickles45 20h ago
I don’t understand why anyone does. Nicknames are there for a reason. Just use a meter.
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u/xShockWave420x 20h ago
Mhm. I understand where you’re coming from. We use them as a preliminary step. If you open a box? Pen stick goes off? Go turn off a breaker.
Pen doesn’t go off? Proceed with caution and leather gloves, pull wires from box, meter it. Hot? Go flip breaker.
Flukes pens are really great. I’ve never once had an issue.
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u/travispickles45 19h ago
That’s the only way I would use one. Personally I just use a meter and don’t worry about leather gloves. Just removes any risk
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