All about indicator screwdrivers

There is no difference in the sphere of using a simple and an electronic screwdriver - it is just that the second has a wider functionality. With such a simple tool, you can determine the voltage in the network. For this, a special indicator is provided in its design.

Among the features of indicator screwdrivers, one can distinguish the presence of an indicator on one of the sides, which lights up when the tip touches the current. Before using such a tool, it is imperative to check, because if its integrity is violated, then the user may suffer from electric shock.

When the current passes through the resistor inside the case of such a screwdriver, the light on top starts to burn, but this will require touching your finger from the other end, thus closing the circuit.

It is possible to consider how such a screwdriver works for general development, in order to understand what the principle of its operation is and why in some cases it may not show current, even if it is present in the network.

If you put a regular and an electric screwdriver next to it, then they will not be very different from each other. The body of such a tool is made of a material that does not pass current for safety reasons. Thus, the user cannot be injured when the screwdriver comes into contact with the current.

There are not many basic elements in the design:

• a housing made of non-conductive material with a sting at one end and an insulated handle at the other;
• resistor;
• bulb;
• contact plate.

Any probe, regardless of type, works to measure voltage. Its main principle is to conduct electric current through a metal sting when touching the phase wire through a resistor directly to the light bulb.

You can use such an aggregate for simple tasks. - tightening screws, screws. But the sting is also used to check the presence of current in the network. To do this, they need to touch the bare wire or plug it into the socket hole. It is thanks to the resistor, which is in the design and has a high resistance, that the user is not shocked.

There are many options on the market for what a tester screwdriver might look like. Some of the most expensive are options with hidden wiring detection, digital with sound.

One of the simplest models - with a neon lamp in the design. This multifunctional screwdriver is equipped with a contact type indicator. As soon as the current enters the sting, this is signaled by a light that comes on. The end part on the handle is the second part of the structure, where the closure is made due to the touch of a person, usually a finger is placed.

If the light is on, then there is a phase. The indication threshold is from 60 W, and this is one of the disadvantages of such equipment. It is better to use a similar device with an AC circuit, since a master with such a screwdriver will not be able to find an open circuit.

The battery-powered LED screwdriver belongs to the tools that are commonly referred to in the professional world as non-contact, multifunctional. The design has an addition - a bipolar transistor, which will allow you to find out where the break occurred, which wire is phase and what is the polarity of the electricity source. Such an active tester is often used in professional circles for the reason that it can help find wiring under a layer of plaster or other coating.

This type differs from others in that it has a low indication threshold when detecting voltage. It can be used with an indicator less than 60 V, otherwise the use and principle of operation are no different from other indicator screwdrivers.

More modern are dielectric-coated induction probes, which are designed with an audio signal and a display. Even an inexperienced user can master the basic principles of operation of such a device. If difficulties arise, detailed instructions from the manufacturer are attached to each product.

If we talk about the ranking of the best, then Chinese goods are not in last place, on the contrary, they occupy a leading position due to their low price, ease of use and build quality.

When choosing such a tool, you should pay attention to the manufacturer if you do not want the funds to be wasted. If you plan to perform installation work on electrical networks, then you should take a closer look at Wera... Their products are sold with a dielectric coating and a cruciform awl at the end. Screwdrivers are made of high quality and reliable materials. Better company screwdrivers when working in difficult conditions MATRIX simply not to be found, since they allow you to reach the point even in hard-to-reach places.

Products KRAFTTOOL are used if necessary to screw in and out the bolts for a long time, and at the same time check the voltage in the course of the task. Such indicator screwdrivers work from a battery.

Chinese manufacturer FIT offers a budget tool with many features. As for the quality, it is average.

If you want an indicator screwdriver that will meet all the requirements, then you should pay attention to the products of the German company GROSS... These products have proven themselves only on the good side, and therefore are appreciated by professionals.

There are also American manufacturers who are appreciated by the consumer, and one of them - Stanley... Primarily professionals and amateurs note the ease of use of this brand indicator screwdrivers.

There are also our domestic models that deserve no less attention. Take the brand as an example STAYERsupplying products to the market at an affordable price to the common man in the street. At the same time, the quality is at a high level, and besides, it pleases with its durability.

If the indicator screwdriver is chosen correctly, then the pleasure of the purchase will not spoil the unpleasant aftertaste from the disappointment that will come when it becomes clear that the tool does not fulfill the task. First of all, buyers are advised to take into account the technical characteristics of the product. A lot, including convenience, depends on the shape and size of the case.

The handle should fit well in the hand, so it is important that it is ergonomic. As for the color, then everyone has their own preferences.

Despite the fact that such a tool has a simple design, its functionality plays an important role. A screwdriver should not only cope with ordinary tasks, that is, screw in and out the bolts, but also show the presence of voltage with high quality and without interruption (preferably if it can be used to find a break in the line under the finish).

A light bulb in the design can be either LED or neon, however, the second option is better. On more expensive models, there may also be a display on which the information necessary for the user is displayed, and when a current is found, a signal sounds.

You should know that such a tool, regardless of its model, is designed to work at voltages up to 1000 V. Do not overlook the type, quality of materials that the manufacturer used in the manufacture of the screwdriver. Sometimes it happens that the price does not justify the quality at all, and the user obviously overpays for the brand, but not for the quality.

In the best case, the shaft and tip are made exclusively from tool steel. This is exactly the material that is able to withstand the imposed load during the entire service life. The handle in the structure should be farther from the tip. The cover on the top is only a dielectric, which ensures the safety of the user.

A good manufacturer is the one who supplies his instrument with batteries. In the first step, this will reduce the maintenance costs of the indicator screwdriver. If they are not there, then you will have to buy it separately, disassemble the case, insert it into the connector and reassemble it, only after checking the tool for operability.

There are the most common mistakes that buyers make when choosing a product in the category described.

• If the tip on the screwdriver is smaller than the available fasteners, then the user will face a problem: it will not be easy to turn the bolt during operation, and if a cross-shaped tip is installed, its teeth will begin to bend.
• If the tip is too thick, it simply will not fit into the groove.
• You should not choose products in which the handle is made of plastic, because during prolonged work, the palm will sweat, the screwdriver will scroll, and the body will rub the skin. It is better if the handle is rubberized.
• For each specific bolt, it is worth choosing the appropriate tip, otherwise either the quality of work will be low, or the service life of the tool will decrease.

Even a tool as simple as an indicator screwdriver must be used correctly to enjoy the work done. To check the grounding in the outlet, you will need to take the tool by the dielectric cover and drive it into the outlet, pressing your finger on the back side.

More expensive models can help ring the wires. How to do this, you can read the instructions from the manufacturer, which is in the box. Leakage current is often the first problem when using the described tool. It doesn't matter what was damaged: a socket in a chandelier or a light switch - finding a breakdown is easy if you know where the wires run in the wall.

The sting is brought to the finish and guided until a signal is found. It is in this place that the cliff section is located. It so happens that the screwdriver does not respond to the presence of voltage. The problem is solved very simply: the batteries need to be replaced. There is nothing to be afraid of, because even a beginner can disassemble and assemble the product.

Using an indicator screwdriver, you can determine the zero and phase, which is extremely necessary when the wires are not properly marked. To do this, it is enough to press the tip of the screwdriver to the wire:

• if the light is on, respectively, this is a phase;
• at zero, the screwdriver will not react in any way.

It also happens that it becomes necessary to check the carrying, since the user does not understand whether there is current in it or not, perhaps the lack of electricity is due to a malfunction of the outlet. In this case, things are much more complicated. In the first step, the user must disconnect the extension cord from a possible source of electricity. Now the circuit is shorted, a jumper is created from the wires, and a socket is installed between them. With a sting, touch one of the ends of the extension plug:

• if there is a burning light bulb, we can say that there are no problems;
• if it still does not light up, then the carrier is inoperative.

If during the repair it is not known where the wiring is, in this case, you can also use an indicator screwdriver. True, such a tool does not possess high accuracy, but it can still become an indispensable assistant. On average, the error varies from 15 to 20 cm. In any case, this is enough to be able to talk about the safe performance of the work for the user. But such a tool cannot detect a de-energized or shielded wire at all.

In order for the screwdriver to function normally, it must be checked in time and the quality of the installed batteries must be monitored. It is imperative that the case should be free of any damage, since in this case operation may simply be unsafe for humans - this is not so expensive equipment that it cannot be replaced with a new one.

If the tester does not work, the battery may be dead. Although they are enough for a long time, the time comes when a replacement is required. As in other cases, it is important to observe the polarity, otherwise there will be no sense in changing the batteries.

The beauty of such a tool is that it is easy to use. Everyone can master management skills with him, the main thing is to study in detail the instructions offered by the manufacturer. If you monitor the condition of the indicator battery, then the user will not need to replace it soon. It is important not to economize at first - not to take cheap products of dubious quality from manufacturers who are still unknown to the market.

For an overview of the indicator screwdriver, see the video below.