There are many reasons to know how to operate a Fluke test lead set. You can use them to make sure the electronic calibration of machines is correct, or to confirm that the electricity is off before working on your home, or a variety of other electrical tasks. However, before you work are you sure you have the right Fluke test lead set? The correct electronic calibration tools? Using equipment calibration tools or the Fluke test lead set isn’t quite as straightforward as using a hammer and saw.

Before you move on to using complicated equipment like the Fluke test lead set, you should know how to use simple volt testers. Here are just a few that will probably do the trick for any home electrical project.

The most simple kind of voltage tester to use is the outlet tester. In order to make sure the electricity is off, you simple place its end into the narrow part of an outlet, and if the light is not on, then the power is safely off. You can refer to to the key on the tester to determine the results.

There are also non-contact voltage testers, which do not have to actually touch live wires or outlets. Place them close to the outlet, fixture or switch that you want to test and place the tester as close to the circuit as you can. Then, read the results. A live current will activate the light on the tester.

Lastly, two-wire volt testers have two leads-one that’s connected to a ground reference, and one that’s used to test a wire’s current. First, place the ground reference, which can be a box screw, a neutral outlet side, or even a neutral white wire. Then, place the other lead on the hot wire. Lastly, read the results. Again, if properly disconnected, then the light will not be lit.

These volt testers should be enough for any home improvement project dealing with electricity. For more complicated projects, you can use a Fluke test lead set, meter calibration equipment or a phone test set. If you have any questions about these volt testers, or about Fluke test lead set, feel free to ask in the comments!