Paul MacLean Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 Yesterday inspecting new construction, I found four receptacle outlets that did nothing on my SureTest...a blank screen. So I got out the trusty old three light tester and it told me there was an open neutral. I can't find anything in my SureTest instructions that identifies open neutrals. Any comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 An open neutral is simply an incomplete circuit and will show up as a blank indicating an improperly wired or dead circuit. I'm not sure tht the other tester could tell the difference between an open hot or neutral could it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 Paul, I've seen that happen on my inspectors Sure Test. I have the older ST-1D unit and mine will show an open neutral. This is only one reason I haven't bought one of the newer Sure Test. Why should I have to carry around a three light tester to tell me about an open neutral? Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul MacLean Posted June 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2004 Thanks for the comments! I only recently started using the Sure Test after January's ASHI convention. So I have the three light tester in my pocket all the time. Basically I use the three light tester and fall back to the Sure Test when things start looking suspicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Paul...me too, but I also find the "newer" SureTest I have especially handy in older homes, circa 1920 and before. Boot-leg grounds, 20%+ voltage drops, you name it. Sure glad those prior Sure-Test posts convinced me to buy a new "valuable" tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfarrell Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 I purchased a Sure Test back in Feburary or so and attached it to the tool belt. I still use the little three light, faster cheaper, but the sure test saves a lot of time in those two story masonry houses where the receptacles appear to be grounded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonTx Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 I actually use my Sure-Test first and only use my three light tester as a second opinion. The three light tester will not tell you about a false ground. If you're only testing a few receptacles with a Sure Test then you could be missing false grounds or excessive voltage drops. Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 I was at the same lecture as Paul and have been Sure-Testing ever since. I still have my plug bug, but almost never use it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 Hi Paul, I have an ST-1D. No lights at all is supposed to indicate no juice on the hot conductor. With an open neutral or with a reversed hot and ground you'll have a left and a center light lit and the right light will be out. However, the SureTest will not identify "multiple" deficiencies, reversal of ground and neutral conductors nor detect two hot wires on a circuit, so maybe there is more going on there than just an open neutral. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul MacLean Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Gotcha Mike, I reported "wiring problems (possible open neutral)" and punted it back to the electrician. I was just surprised that the Sure Test treated it like a dead circuit with no suggestion of what the problem might be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisprickett Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 I have issues with the AFCI feature of my SureTest. Today I tested a 5 bedroom, under load, and only two breakers tripped. I find more often than not, at least one AFCI wont trip when I check them. I haven't heard of any definitive protocol for testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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