Top 10 Tools to Use for Electrical Safety Testing

There are various electrical testers available for your consideration today. However, the following are the most common ones likely to be found in an electrician’s toolbox.

1. Amperage and Wattage Load Testers: As the name suggests, these are electrical testers used for measuring the amperage and wattage of the cord connected light fixtures and household appliances. You can use these testers to measure the watts of energy or amps (current) used by each appliance and match the load to the output source.
2. Battery Testers: These are devices designed to test the overall charge of a wired or wireless battery. Battery testers apply load to the battery and monitor its corresponding voltage response. These devices can be used for a broad spectrum of troubleshooting and monitoring projects, including industrial and facility maintenance, automotive, test and measurement, electrical, domestic, and DIY purposes.
3. Continuity Testers: These are battery-powered devices, which feature a probe at one end and a cord with an alligator clip at another end. Continuity testers are always used when the devices or wiring are disconnected from the circuit. Using a continuity tester on a wire-carrying current is not recommended.
4. Non-contact Current Detector: These electrical testers help detect voltage in devices or wires from a certain distance, without actually touching them. The device features a mini tip at the end, which can be used to sense voltage in various electrical devices such as switches, lamp cords, circuit breakers, and so on. Non-contact current detectors are safe and easy to use in any commercial or industrial setting.
5. GFCI Receptacle Outlet Testers: These outlet testers are used to determine the current status of different outlets of your commercial and industrial facility. The tester considers the current flowing between two ends of the receptacle along the conductors. GFCI receptacle outlet testers are used in commercial and industrial facilities to check if any wire replacement or repairs are required.
6. Multimeters: These are must-have electrical safety testing tools used by electricians. As the name suggests, the multimeters are capable of testing different current functions. They can be used to read DC and AC voltages, resistance, continuity, frequency, and capacitance.
7. Digital Clamp Meters: These devices combine a multimeter and a sensor in a single unit. The clamp meters feature jaws that can hold wire conductors. This feature makes these devices safer for applications like testing multiple circuits in the open circuit breaker panel.
8. Insulation Testers: Insulated electrical devices are used in various industrial and commercial settings to protect from electrical shocks and other hazards. However, the insulation of these systems may weaken over time, reducing the risk of accidents. Electricians use insulation testers to check the insulation resistance, alternating current, and continuous current in electrical circuits.
9. Plug-in-Circuit Analyzers: These devices are designed to analyze the functions of the circuit by plugging them into an electrical outlet. Generally, plug-in-circuit analyzers are used to test the grounded outlets that possess three slots. You can make out the specific test results by looking at the three neon lights on the electrical tester.
10. Ground Resistance Testers: These devices feature much more enhanced designs than many devices on this list. They inject current between the remote probe and the test electrode to measure the voltage drop. The resistance is then calculated using Ohm’s Law.  

Electrical testers are designed to measure different parameters, but they work towards common goals of ensuring the safety of your electrical installations and protecting people and premises from catastrophic damages. Accuracy and quality of these devices is important for achieving desired results. This can only be ensured when you purchase them from trusted brands like Electrical Basics. The company offers one of the broadest selections of battery testers, electrical voltage testers, receptacle testers, amperage/wattage load testers, and multi-function digital multimeters. When various electrical testers are available for consideration, choosing the right tester may become challenging. The sales experts at the company will work with you to understand your requirements before suggesting the right tool.