This is a quick look at Klein Tools dual range non-contact voltage tester
with laser pointer model n CVT - 5A. As a DIYer, I use non-contact voltage
testers when tackling basic electrical projects. Whether it's swapping in a
dimmer installing a GFCI outlet or adding an in-wall digital timer, electricity is
dangerous so a non-contact voltage tester is a necessity. This one's pretty
straightforward so I'll show it to you in action in a moment. Aside from its
simplicity, I also like that this model uses two AAA batteries. And why is
that important to me? Well because I always have AAA batteries around
the house... unlike the CR watch-style, button
batteries that's some of my other NCV testers use. Features of lesser
importance to me are the handy pocket clip, which may or may not fool my
friends into thinking I'm wickewd smaht, and the laser pointer, which I
honestly just use to mess with our cats. It has really good projection under
the right lighting conditions, maybe 50 feet, and I can understand how it would
be useful in the field. So let's see the tool in action. I'll turn on by pressing
the NCV power button, and then select one of the two modes by pressing the NCV
button repeatedly. Mode 1 is for detecting 70 to 1000 volts AC
between 50 and 500 Hertz, and Mode 2, which is more sensitive, is for
detecting between 12 and 1000 volts AC. I'll put it in mode 1 and we can see if
there's a 120V AC flowing through this 14/2 Romex... and
there is. We can also figure out which side of this outlet is hot. As you
can see in mode 1, when 70 to one thousand volts AC is detected, there's a solid
audible tone and solid red light.
We could also determine which is the load wire versus line wire in a switch
box... had I not turned off the circuit breaker. Now I'll switch the Mode 2 by
pressing the NCV button. And I typically start with this mode. It's more sensitive,
and safer, and NCV testers can be fickle. This one is no exception. In Mode 2 the
tester beeps and blinks blue for voltages between 12 to 70 volts ac, for
example the neutral side of this outlet, and functions the same as Mode 1 on the
hot side, which is 120 volts AC; hence, greater than 70. Mode 2 can also be used
to roughly trace wires, although success and accuracy really depend on how thick
the wall is . When tracing the tool beeps and blinks blue as it detects 12 to 70
volts AC, and it beeps and blinks faster as I approach the hot wire. Once it
detects a hot wire it provides the consistent audible tone and the solid
red LED as in Mode 1.
As I mentioned before NCV testers can be fickle and that can
be frustrating and dangerous when you're dealing with electricity.
I found this tester to be a little fickle when dealing with light switches
if the covers were on and definitely fickle with metal clad wires, which are
wrapped in aluminum. It didn't detect any power. For the most part though this tool
worked fine detecting the hot and neutral sides of a standard outlet and
GFCI outlets including those which are tamper resistant and weather resistant,
but there were exceptions. Lastly in Mode 2 the tool can be used to
detect low voltage in wiring used for doorbells, thermostats, and security
systems although it can be a little tricky if there are higher voltage wires
in close proximity. So you might get a false positive. A few other helpful
features I'd like to share are: The ability to use the tool without the
tones, and to activate silent operation you just press and hold the NCV power
button for 2 seconds when turning the tool on; The tool will also turn itself
off after 4 minutes of inactivity to conserve the battery power, as well as
alert you to when to replace batteries there will either be a blinking red LED if you
try to use the laser or a blinking blue LED, which means change the batteries
immediately; and finally, when turned on the tool reverts to the last mode selected.
Before I wrap up, the tool weighs two and a half ounces and is pretty durable. It
can withstand a drop from up to 9.8 feet. So, that's fantastic.
Overall I like this non-contact voltage tester and kudos to Klein Tools for
designing another cool tool. I hope this video has been helpful and thanks for
watching.