I purchased this Klein Non-Contract Dual Range Voltage detector based on the quality brand name and reviews here on Amazon. I used this device when troubleshooting and replacing light fixtures around a very extravagant waterfall structure. Electricity and Water really don't go together, especially for me a novice weekend warrior/wanna-be electrician. After several hours of using this device, I really came to depend on its accuracy. I was able to complete the lighting rewire with complete confidence. I took on a separate project and wired in a new Irrigation Controller in place of one that had a failed LED display. This is a great device for indoor projects as well (ceiling fan wiring, etc). I almost forgot to mention the audible sounds it generates when it detects live voltage.
I highly recommend this product. I make sure it is always packed in my toolset no matter what project I am working on. If you have found this review helpful, please select "Yes" below. Thank you and God Bless.
Klein Tools NCVT-2 Dual Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester
In changing out a bathroom light fixture, I thought I had found the correct breaker as the light went out. The electrical box was never labeled so I found the breaker the old fashioned way (testing one by one until I found the bathroom light went out). Sounds simple, right?!?
While I bought this tester for another project last week (it worked great for that one), a voice in my head told me to double check and verify no live wires with my new tester. The darn kept beeping when I put the tester to my bathrom light. I was sure it was broken when I put it to the electrical outlet that my bathroom light was connected to, as well as the bathroom light itself. Hesitant, I went and shut off a few more breakers for adjacent rooms, doing them one at a time, and sure enough, my tester went quiet when I shut off 2 more breakers. So 3 breakers were connected or had wires with my bathroom light!!!! This tester was a life saver and no doubt saved me a trip to ER.
I have an older 1950s ranch home. Buy this. Be sure of your work. It will be in my toolbox always! Very easy to use. Plus made in USA.
I'm a lifelong customer simply for their outstanding customer service. Prior to this purchase, all fourteen items from my previous orders have been bulletproof. I purchased this dual voltage non contact voltage detector for home remodeling. It worked perfect for several months but then started activating on it's own. It would be sitting there with nothing around it (or touching it) when it would suddenly activate.
I used this device a lot and appreciated the quality in detecting voltage. Since it had been bulletproof, I really didn't want to try to find a comparable brand. This device came in handy while I installing shelves with nearby switches. I used the voltage detector to get a general idea where the wires behind the wall were located.
I contacted Kline via email, explained the problem and received a return authorization. I sent the item back and less than a week later, received a brand new device. I'm not sure if it's a lifetime warranty but with this level of "backing their products", I'll but a lot more of my tools from Klein.
For the most part this device is very easy to setup and understand and it will help keep you safe. A way to test that it's working is to test it on a live outlet, then shut off the circuit to that outlet at the box, then test again. When you're actually using it on the outlet being repaired, test once before removing the cover etc. Then once the cover is off test again all around the interior part of the outlet. You may have a loose (and live) wire if the people who built your home were as shoddy as mine. Several outlets not wired to code including an outdoor flood outlet that used the wrong gauge wire and configuration for one but the correct gauge for the flood outlet on the other side. This tool will help protect you from idiots like that (you can't assume just because you've shut off the power to an outlet that what's inside is correct and not live). The only complaint I have is once or twice this thing will chirp a little bit on a switched off box. Not sure if it was picking up static or something else but when in doubt just go over the area two or three times with the "prong" and you should be able to tell before beginning work. You won't get multiple false positives, so if that happens something is wrong / don't continue with the work. You may need to bite the bullet and call a licensed electrician to get their advice if a switched off box is still giving you live power readings.
I only played around with this but it seems to be working fine so far. I'm going to be using this on some Knob and Tube in a house that was supposedly rewired before it was sold. The 12-1000V is way too sensitive for me as it goes off within a one foot radius of an outlet or some device. I just leave it on the 48-1000V setting and it works fine.
If you're like me and can't figure out how to change the sensitivity, press the button to turn it on. Then, hold the button until the light either turns blue or green. Blue is for 12-1000V and green is for 48-1000V.
There's also a silent mode if you press and hold the button while it's off, the light will be green for the 48-1000V range. My only complaint here is that it beeps twice when you turn it off. Isn't the whole point of silent mode no beeps?
It seems to be working fine so far in tests, will see what happens when I use it for a real world application.
Feature Product
- Automatically detects and indicates low voltage (12-48V AC) and standard voltage (48-1000V AC) allowing broad application
- Non-contact detection of standard voltage in cables, cords, circuit breakers, lighting fixtures, switches, outlets and wires
- Non-contact detection of low voltage in security, entertainment, communications, environmental control, and irrigation systems
- High intensity, bright green LED indicates the tester is operational and aids in illuminating the workspace
- Dual Range testing, select 12-1000V AC or 48-1000V AC
- Auto power-off feature conserves and extends battery life
- CAT IV 1000 Volt rating provides expanded operation and protection
- Lightweight, durable polycarbonate plastic resin construction; convenient pocket clip
- 9.8-foot / 3 m drop protection
- Safety Rating: CAT IV 1000V
Description
This Dual-Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester automatically detects low voltage and standard voltage. A bright green LED will tell you the tester is working and also functions as a worklight. The light flashes red and two distinct warning tones sound when either low or standard voltage is detected. Red LED illuminates with warning tone when voltage is detected. Conserves and extends battery life with auto power-off feature. Detects non-contact of low voltage-Inch irrigation systems. Auto power-off feature conserves and extends battery life. CAT IV 1000 Volt rating provides expanded operation and protection. Lightweight, durable polycarbonate plastic resin construction; convenient pocket clip. 9.8 ft / 3 m drop protection. Safety Rating: CAT IV 1000V. Conforms to CE requirements. For more than 160 years, Klein Tools has manufactured premium-quality, professional-grade hand tools that deliver the performance, durability and precision needed to get the job done right. Our family of engineers, workers and craftsman continue to put six generations of expertise into every tool we create by using only the highest quality materials, superior workmanship, and keeping manufacturing as close to home as we can. Klein isn't just the name of our company, it's also our family name. And since we're an American company that's family-owned and family-run, you know you can count on us to be here tomorrow. Klein Tools doesn't just make great products, we make great products that stand up to the demands of the professionals who use them every day ... Since 1857.
Klein NCVT-2. It works as advertised. Indicates "hot" wire amongst group of wires which is most important capability to me. Also indicates low voltage if you have that setting turned on. Theres 2 settings...one indicates both low and high voltage (12-1000), the other setting indicates high voltage only (49-1000V). To switch between settings is as easy as holding down power button for 2 seconds. The LED color in transparent tip indicates which setting you have selected (blue or green). I don't love everything Klein but do love this tester. fyi...difference between NCVT-1 and NCVT-2 models is that -1 only indicates high voltage and -2 indicates both low and high voltage.
I am including the owner's manual for your convenience.
This is actually our 2nd time buying this product because unfortunately the first one got left on the counter and fell victim to a puppy who likes to chew things. I had never used one until we bought a new house, and, like a noob, assumed if you turned off the right fuses you didn't really need one. I wanted to switch out all the old outlets and light switches and found out the hard way that you can never really tell for sure how a previous owner has run wires or labelled fuses. Luckily it only took that one time getting zapped for me to finally listen to my husband and ALWAYS check with the voltage tester before you go around switching wires willy nilly. It's a one-button device with beeps AND colored lights, so there's really no way for even someone like me to mess it up.
I've had this for a couple of years, using it three or four times a week; so I've dropped the thing at least a thousand times. It just slides out of my shirt pocket (my fault) and it's high, high quality. It's drop-rated for 10 feet I think. I broke the clip trying to force it into my tool belt ( my fault). Otherwise it would have held up. The tip bent a bit, from letting a co-worker borrow it (oh, MY fault)! So, I'll need a new one. Ultimately, a great durable little tool.
And I didn't get zapped. I did the breaker-box hunt and sometimes breakers failed to de-activate outlets and switches in a logical way. This thing has given me clear alerts, and is a great purchase for any DIY activity near hot wires. I'm by no means an electrician, so consider this a big win.
Most people just ask me "hey why don't you just shut off the main breaker? The answer is... my wife won't let me do that since the house can't just lose power for a few hours while I fiddle with outlets.
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