Cool new outlet tester - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2020, 09:14:38 pm
content: I ran across this outlet tester at Home Depot the other day and bought it on a whim.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-GFCI-Receptacle-Tester-with-LCD-RT250/313832938I'm not a big fan of Klein meters/testers, but this one it great!I really like that there are two lights and the LCD tells you how the outlet is miswired or wired correctly. With the typical 3 bulb outlet testers you have interpret the lights.If you can't see the lit up face just pull out the test and it will keep the reading for a few seconds.Plus it will test GFCI outlets and tell you how fast it tripped.Sorry, but this tester only works on North American outlets with 120 volts.Also, I think this tester is only available through Home Depot.....for $19!!!

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2020, 10:37:27 pm
content: ooooohh...“Awesome tester. Love the lcd screen that clearly shows issues and it countshow many milliseconds it takes for a gfci to trip.”- from HD review comments

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2020, 10:43:03 pm
content: https://youtu.be/kaHqqcj4yHM

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2020, 10:46:33 pm
content: How does it do with a miswired reverse polarity bootleg ground?https://www.prosoundweb.com/analyzing-failures-in-ac-outlet-testing-what-it-means-for-pro-audio/

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 04:23:32 pm
content: GLouie,Thank you for the link to reverse polarity bootleg grounds.I make a reverse polarity bootleg ground with an old 3 wire extension cord and outlet. I purposely miswired it to see what the Klein tester would do. The tester did indicate a fault, but only indicated that the hot and neutral were reversed. It did not indicate a bootstrap ground probably because in the US grounds and neutrals are bonded at the circuit breaker box.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 05:21:45 pm
content: The standard 3 bulb testers seem simpler to use honestly. I can tell at a glance, 2 amber lights lit is good, if the red one is lit or either amber is not lit then something is wrong. It's faster than trying to read a busy LCD.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 05:49:47 pm
content: Interesting device. Which makes me ask does this take alkaline batteries that leak all over the place? It is the first thing I ask anymore as I'm tired of replacing expensive tools when a cheap battery leaks.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:09:43 pm
content: But it does have idiot lights and they are even simpler!Green = Good. Red = Bad.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:13:22 pm
content: One fault the Klein RT250 will test for is Open Ground and Neutral. This means that only the Hot wire is connected. This can be a very dangerous situation because one would think the outlet to be "dead" when it is actually "live".The 3 bulb tester will not test for this situation because it needs a path to neutral/ground to complete the circuit and turn on neon lights.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:14:30 pm
content: Here is the reading on the LCD screen.

author: GLouie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:18:37 pm
content: Personally, I now have both a cheap plug-in tester and a NCVT (non-contact voltage tester) in my toolkits. This is a rare, but potentially lethal problem.My portable testers all get NiMH Eneloop AA or AAA, or 9v lithium batteries now. Too many alkaline leakage problems.Quote from: Axtman on October 26, 2020, 04:23:32 pm

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:21:33 pm
content: Energizer does have a "No Leak Battery".https://www.energizer.com/about-batteries/battery-leakageThis is probably a topic for another thread. I used to be a Duracell fan but have had a few leak on me.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:25:28 pm
content: I believe the lesson here is that when working with electricity, especially mains voltage, be sure and use different electrical testers just to be sure the circuit is off. You can never be too safe!

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 06:26:31 pm
content: Quote from: Axtman on October 26, 2020, 06:21:33 pmFrom that page:"Energizer will repair or replace, at our option, any device damaged by leakage from Energizer MAX® Alkaline batteries either during the life of the battery or within two years following the full use of the battery."Interesting. I wish I'd known that the last time an Energizer MAX battery destroyed something of mine.

author: Axtman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:40:26 pm
content: Here is a video on the Klein RT250 tester and other outlet testers.

author: bc888
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2020, 08:24:57 pm
content: Interesting. I just found the Triplett combination AC Line Splitter and GFCI Outlet/Receptacle Tester for the same price which I thought was pretty skookum.