voltmeter

i was wondering what voltmeter u guys recommend to get... i want one that u dont have to splice into wires to test for voltage... i know i seen it somewhere... its sensitive enough u jus probe the outside of the wire and get to see if voltage and how much is present... thanks i been using jus a regular digital voltmeter and i know it really doesnt matter as long as it works... i jus want something thats reliable and easy to use w/ that feature... thanks guys!!!

this is what you want                         insulation piercing test leads or a similiar insulation piercing test lead. jeryl, clamp-on meters are non-contact, but they measure current. and what mad scientists is talking about is a capacitive voltage tester. they don't provide a voltage measurement. they indicate when an ac voltage is present.Prove your connections, use a meter!

I promise, I'll behave!

an example is there is a logic probe used to be made by radioshack which was so sensitive u could sense voltage near the wire w/ out physically connecting to it... but they dont make it anymore

Well, there is a digital multimeter that is suppose to allow you to see the amount of current being drawn by placing the ring around the wire. I bought it at harbor frieght, but it doesnt work. So not sure if what you plan to get will work either, that might be why radioshack doesnt have it anymore.

captainzab wrote: Well, there is a digital multimeter that is suppose to allow you to see the amount of current being drawn by placing the ring around the wire. I bought it at harbor frieght, but it doesnt work. So not sure if what you plan to get will work either, that might be why radioshack doesnt have it anymore.

what were you measuring ac or dc? is it a current transformer (for ac measurements) or a hall-effect sensor (for ac/dc measurements)? these meters work when measuring a single conductor at a time. if you try measuring a cable (2 conductors or more) the magnetic fields will cancel and the meter won't provide the measurement you're looking for.Prove your connections, use a meter!

I promise, I'll behave!