Volt stick

[brightspark]

handy for checking a bunch of live cables and you turn the power off to the one u want to connect to and run it across them and see which one goes dead and thats the one

 

[Hitch]

The idea is using the volt stick as a quick and simple non contact double check, generally not authorised to do electrical work, so start poking at terminals in a box would be a no no.

 

[mdr]

Usually pretty big 3ph flange/foot mounted gear

You didn't mention that.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I’d rather use a multimeter

This

The problem I've found with voltsticks is I never trust them enough to trust them at all. Inevitably I end up checking it with a meter anyway which defeats the point of using them. They only time they are useful if you are trying to identify a circuit but there are better ways.

 

[mtt.tr]

Get a 2 lead volt indicator, i certainly wouldn't use a volt stick. They prove live is all, not dead.

 

[Robotstar5]

In a word no, a voltstick will not indicate if a motor is still connected but not running.

There are no regulations (unless somethings changed) but good practice is to fit a local point of isolation within 2 metres of the motor, either a lockable isolator or a commando type plug that can be removed, lockoff covers can be used on the removed plug.

All said, the person responsible for locking off and signing is responsible in law, unfortunately that is small compensation for loss of limbs or life

 

[mtt.tr]

In a word no, a voltstick will not indicate if a motor is still connected but not running.

There are no regulations (unless somethings changed) but good practice is to fit a local point of isolation within 2 metres of the motor, either a lockable isolator or a commando type plug that can be removed, lockoff covers can be used on the removed plug.

All said, the person responsible for locking off and signing is responsible in law, unfortunately that is small compensation for loss of limbs or life

Regs specify must have isolation to rotating machinery good old Victorian name for motors.

 

[Robotstar5]

Regs specify must have isolation to rotating machinery good old Victorian name for motors.

Can you point me to the reg No. please, I had a quick look, but as I haven't needed them for a few years, I'm a bit rusty

 

[mtt.tr]

Can you point me to the reg No. please, I had a quick look, but as I haven't needed them for a few years, I'm a bit rusty

Will do tomorrow

Its the sole reason bathroom fans have isolators

 

[brightspark]

Will do tomorrow

Its the sole reason bathroom fans have isolators

barthroom fans do not need isolators if a mcb is fitted at the db on that circuit and on the same floor as the fan .its classed as the isolator. i generaly fit them anyhow only time you need them is if there on a different floor or on commercial premises where the fan is on the roof and the controls is in the building

 

[dobbslc]

It's worth remembering that a volt stick can't get a reading through SWA armoured cable, metal conduit, trunking etc and also the flexible metal Copex used on motors and control panels!

 

[dobbslc]

barthroom fans do not need isolators if a mcb is fitted at the db on that circuit and on the same floor as the fan .its classed as the isolator. i generaly fit them anyhow only time you need them is if there on a different floor or on commercial premises where the fan is on the roof and the controls is in the building

That's handy as I've forgotten to fit one on the utility room fan and the building inspector still needs to sign the house off!

 

[Munkul]

This would be used just as a quick visual test in conjunction with a lockout/permit procedure...
Usually prior to doing unrelated work.

It wouldn't really be viable to start pulling covers off and using test leads/meters.
The work wouldn't involve electrical, and as not electrically trained thats probably more dangerous.

Do you not trust the PTW isolations on the site where you're working?

I understand where you're coming from completely - a multimeter just isn't right in this circumstance. But then, IMHO a volt stick isn't either - too many possibilities for false positives/negatives.

If there's dodgy isolation practices, you'll have to raise it with management.

A few years ago, we had a terrible sparky on site... he ended up being told to resign, or he would be sacked... a couple of times he'd signed for isolations that he hadn't carried out... we were lucky no-one was hurt

 

[My Old Landy]

Can you point me to the reg No. please, I had a quick look, but as I haven't needed them for a few years, I'm a bit rusty

For machinery, EN 60204-1:2018 section 5.3.3 shows the requirements. There is no set distance as others have said, it just needs to be clearly identified.

 

[Chris Snow]

Can you point me to the reg No

It's the machinery directive.

 

[mike os]

volt stick is useful for taking up room in your toolbox. at a minimum you want something like this



its a pita to have to check, but a lot less inconvenient than being dead

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

volt stick is useful for taking up room in your toolbox. at a minimum you want something like this

View attachment 264981

its a pita to have to check, but a lot less inconvenient than being dead

That reminds me. Found mine a few weeks ago. Must pop it on the van.

 

[daleyd]

Do you not trust the PTW isolations on the site where you're working?

I understand where you're coming from completely - a multimeter just isn't right in this circumstance. But then, IMHO a volt stick isn't either - too many possibilities for false positives/negatives.

If there's dodgy isolation practices, you'll have to raise it with management.

A few years ago, we had a terrible sparky on site... he ended up being told to resign, or he would be sacked... a couple of times he'd signed for isolations that he hadn't carried out... we were lucky no-one was hurt

When I worked for Pilkington our senior Elec engineer on site "took early retirement" due to him not isolating an annealing oven correctly - a contractor had his hand inside and touched a live busbar and ended up badly burned as a result, though he was fortunate to still be alive.

I felt a bit sorry for our elec engineer as he was an alright guy - he hadn't long been back in work after recovering from stomach cancer so I assume that had some bearing on what happened (Not excusing that what he did wasn't right, but I think there were at least some mitigating circumstances...) Also the contractor should have checked isolations and checked for dead, but ultimate responsibility lay with our guy.

 

[Matchless]

there not to be relied up on only as an indicator rub it on your pullover and it will light up use proper test leads for anything electrical even if someone tells you the powers off or its marked on the board and you turn it off even ive had it where the db chart has been marked up wrong and stuff is still live when you've had as many shocks as ive had you wont want to be putting your fingers in without knowing. i work live often but i know its live thats why ive lived so long in the game

I have often worked live, not always intentionally! it is amazing how far you can get with replacing an outside light, up a metal ladder against a tree before finding that the cable is in fact live!

 

[Onoff]

Sparks at my place, the HVAP no less, got a belt after trusting a volt stick.