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It may look just like a regular screwdriver but a mains tester screwdriver is a whole lot more than that.

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.This simple looking tool is actually a piece of electronic test equipment. It can be used to test a piece of equipment for the presence or absence of a live voltage.

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How To Use It?

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  1. Firstly you place the screwdriver end into a live aperture and press your thumb against the metal cap on handle of the screwdriver

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 2. If the supply is live, the neon bulb in the handle will light up

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 3. The Tester will not illuminate if it is placed in contact with neutral or earth terminals, or if the supply is dead

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 4. Always check that the bulb is working by using the tester first on a live circuit

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 5. Never touch the uninsulated blade when testing

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How Does It Work?

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This is where it gets very technical but it is really quite clever.

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I bet you didn't realize you were an electrically charged being. Though maybe you did if you have ever had a static shock and felt that little jolt of electricity run though you!

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The word "Capacitance" means the ability of a system to store an electric charge. Now imagine this system is you or whoever is holding the mains tester screwdriver. 

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As mentioned above if an electrical charge is identified using the mains tester screwdriver a neon light will light up. A neon lamp takes very little electrical current to light up.

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So as with the wires in a plug you have:

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  1. The LIVE wire - this is what you are testing for with the screwdriver

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2. The NEUTRAL wire - this is a live conductor with the ability to carry an electrical current, the mains tester screwdriver

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3. And finally the EARTH wire - this is the wire that grounds the electrical current, making a connection directly with the Earth and reducing any static energy

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.When your thumb presses on the cap on the handle of the mains tester screwdriver you complete the connection for the screwdriver by acting as the connection to Earth or the Grounder of the circuit.

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Pretty innovative little tool, isn't it!

Tags: tools screwdrivers mains testers electricity electrical