Indicator screwdriver: device and operating principle

The indicator screwdriver allows you to determine,whether power is supplied to a particular wire. To understand the principle of the device, it is necessary to be guided in the scheme of supply of electricity. In general, all the wires located in the house are powered by a switch that supplies current to the apartments.

To get electricity to the outlet, you need a phase wire that is constantly energized.

The return of the same current to the switch is carried out by a zero wire, which is dangerous only when the device is turned on, the rest of the time it remains unoccupied.

The indicator screwdriver is used forphase conductor detection. Before you start working with the device, you should test it for serviceability. For this, it is necessary to test the device on a powered source, for example, inserting its sting in turn into the socket. If the light comes on, everything is in order, otherwise the tool should be replaced. It is strictly forbidden to touch the igal during this process!

Indicator screwdriver: operating principle

The simplest design can only determinephase contact, and more recent models can detect zero. The market presents devices that can find voltage even in hidden wiring (for example, under a layer of plaster), but they have low accuracy.

In appearance, indicator screwdriversalmost nothing of the usual does not differ, but in their transparent plastic cases there is a neon light that lights up when touched by a live wire, and a small resistor.

In the work of the phase determinant (second namedevice) one of the links of the chain can act man. In order for the lamp to light up, it is necessary to attach the tip of the screwdriver to the phase conductor and touch with the finger to the second - zero. Due to the high resistance of the resistor, the current passing through the body of the person will be safe and invisible.

Indicator screwdriver allows you to solve severalmain tasks. Often it is used to test the failure of the sockets. In addition, using the device check the grounding of the extension cord, touching the sting to its contact. If the light does not come on, everything works fine. Using a screwdriver, you can determine the phase that is in the chandelier chuck.

The current must go through the internal contact, and not by the thread. In this case, it is necessary to act cautiously, since simultaneous contact to both contacts will cause a short circuit of the network.

In addition, the indicator screwdriver is usedwhen installing outlets and switches, because when installing them, it is important to connect the zero and phase wires correctly. The tool will also help in case of suspicion that there is a voltage leak in an electrical appliance. To fix this fact, you need to plug the device into an outlet and touch it with a sting. If the light does not light up completely, then a small leak does exist. If the indicator lights up at full power, then the phase wire contacts the housing directly. In both cases, the device must be repaired.