chrisprickett Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Anyone do it? If so, what is your method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Originally posted by chrisprickett Anyone do it? If so, what is your method? I use either a neon tester or a multi-meter. A wiggy would be fine too. I wouldn't recommend a volt stick. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul MacLean Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I picked up a two wire tester at the big box store that indicates 120v or 240v when inserted in a receptacle. I don't recall the proper name, but it tells me if the 240v clothes dryer outlet is actually 240v or if the strange looking wall receptacle is 120v or 240v -- usually installed for a window AC unit. I find it very useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I use the device Paul does, and it costs less than ten bucks. I always let the customer know that the outlet was intended for a window A/C unit, is wired for 240v and that it should never be replaced with a nice, new shiny 120v outlet. I've actually discovered a couple of those in the past. All three lights on the tester illuminate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Wiggy; fast, cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David C. Argabright Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Wiggy, Almost fool proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Wiggy I find a handfull each year that are wired wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Wiggy. I like the noise it makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob White Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Multimeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 I'm assuming y'all are testing the 240v outlets if and when there isn't an appliance in the way? 95% of the time, there's always a dryer or oven (can't think of another household 240v appliance right now) installed. Are you guys moving the appliances and unplugging them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul MacLean Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Originally posted by randynavarro I'm assuming y'all are testing the 240v outlets if and when there isn't an appliance in the way? 95% of the time, there's always a dryer or oven (can't think of another household 240v appliance right now) installed. Are you guys moving the appliances and unplugging them? NO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 Nope. If it's an electric dryer or range, I turn it on to see that it works. If it works, that tells me something. Yes, I know; there's stuff that could be "in there". Not within my scope, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 I agree, turn on the dryer. Do you check if it (the dryer) is 3 or 4 wire and write up 3 wire receptacles? I do now but didn't used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingfoot Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 I inform them in the report if it's a 3 or 4 prong receptacle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 I caught heat from a client recently because the clothes-dryer installation folks didn't bring a three-prong cord and said the existing outlet was no longer permitted. As far as I know, three-prong outlets are still legal, and its the installer's job to supply the appropriate cord. Slight drift, but I also alert people that their plastic clothes-dryer ducts in unconditioned areas should be replaced, because the installers will refuse to connect a dryer to plastic ducting due to liability reasons. The usual "was permitted at the time of the house's construction" doesn't fly when Best Buy refuses to completely install someone's shiny new dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingfoot Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I've never seen a "Wiggy", anyone have a photo of one and where can you buy them at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I use wiggies to test 240v receptacles as well. I just tried googling them and couldn't come up with a photo, but all of the HI tool companies carry them, and I bet the big orange box does too. Just grab an orange-vested aisle urchin (credit: Katen) and ask them. Jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Home Pride Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Photo of a Wiggy... You can buy them just about everywhere. Download Attachment: wiggy.jpg 38.79 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingfoot Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Thanks, I was picturing a large plug in device. I was way off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Wet fingers holding a 6d nail is all I need to analyze a 240v outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Ahern Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Field modified coat hanger works in Maine [8D] Jack Ahern Needham on the Charles and Bridgton, Maine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Lick em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted August 1, 2006 Report Share Posted August 1, 2006 I've never understood the appeal of a wiggy. They're bulky, imprecise and awkward to use. If I'm going to carry a device that large, I'd just as soon have a multi-meter. It's far more versatile and useful. Why do you guys like wiggys? - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieb Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I use a multi meter. As for why a wiggy.... I't must be the "wow" factor for the client. Big, wires and "stuff" AND it makes noise OOOOOOOh! Yes mam that dryer is gunna cook sum clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I've spent thousands of hours with a digital multimeter in my hands trying to find why the radio goes off when the vehicle is put in reverse and other obscure problems. While analog meters are less likely to lie, both digital and analog meters are essentially too good for what we do and can produce data that while accurate is basically untrue due to the miniscule current the devices draw from a circuit. A 120 volt reading means nothing at 2 milliamps the same way a battery can read 12 volts and not have enough juice to light a dome light bulb. A wiggy draws a little current, has a dedicated singular purpose that will never lead to the question (your meter has an inductive ammeter, why didn't you use it?) I offered that I use a wiggy to test 240 volt outlets. That statement is partially true; I most often test them by turning on the dryer or both sets of burners on the stove. Those are better tests that the wiggy or a Fluke 88 can perform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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