A Neon Tester is one of the very popular test equipment of its time. Its basic function is to test if the circuit is live or not. It also measures the approx voltage-scale i.e. from a minimal limit of 110 volts to a maximum limit of 700 volts in both AC/DC supplies. In addition, it may be used for checking the availability of 03 phased supply forms, too.

A neon tester

Constructional Details :

A Neon-tester contains two rubberised pen type handles attached to a well insulated probe made of “Brass” for each one. It’s one pen type handle contains a Neon-lamp connected with a solenoid that may be activated by both AV/DC supplies. It has two coloured scales i.e Red and Black. Red-scale shows DC value and Yellow-scale shows AC value. If you are checking the Volt or its value, then you have to press the push button that is located on the probe insulator.

Uses of Neon-Tester :

As discussed, a Neon-Tester is utilised for checking the availability of the i/p supply i.e the circuit is live or not. It checks the nature of the applied voltage, too. If it is an A/C input, then the neon-lamp will glow to the entire section. However, If it is a D/C input, then the lamp will glow partially only.

For checking the availability of Voltage on any place in the i/p supply / circuitry, connect one probe to the Earth or any nearby ground point and touch the other probe to the desired supply point in the circuitry. By this process you can detect defects in the circuitry and trace it to its source also.

Safety Guidelines :

A hand-held test lamp of any type can be used only by keeping the user in proximity to live circuits. We all know that accidental contact with any live wiring / circuits can result in a electric shock or short circuit. Inexpensive or self made test lamps may not include all the safety protections which are sufficient enough against high electricity faults. It is advised that a practice to be made to connect a test lamp to a known live circuit both before and after testing an unknown circuit so that the failure of the test lamp can be checked/insured.