GB Electrical SDT-15 Circuit Alert Screwdriver Tester 6-in-1
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Product Details
Manufacturer: Gardner BenderModel: SDT-15
Product features:
- Handle sensor detects AC voltage without contacting live conductors
- Audio and visual alert system
- Voltage range 50-600V
- Frequency range 5-500 HZ
- Ergonomic comfort grip
Tools and Hardware Reviews of GB Electrical SDT-15 Circuit Alert Screwdriver Tester 6-in-1
Customer Review: Good idea, bad performance
Summary: 1 Stars
I needed to detect electrical cables that are embedded in a wall and live.
I have multimeters (digital and analog) and one of those simple unpowered tester screwdrivers with the illuminating clear handle; all of those need to touch the conductor to function. So I looked around.
This seemed like the best option. The blurb claims it can detect voltage without the need to touch the conductors, and comes with audio and visual alerts. The fact that it doubles as a screwdriver was a side benefit that didn't really influence my decision to buy it. It requires a battery; I didn't like that, but there was no workaround that would keep me on budget.
So I got to work.
First off I noticed that no matter which bit I used in the tool, it wanted to fall out. The holder is just a hex hole, without a spring or ball securing widget, so that explains it.
But the simplest multi screwdrivers manage to do this, so the lack of one on this tool is a major failing. I can't understand why it wasn't designed in from the start.
I started to use the tool without a bit. The shaft is insulated, but because the final half-inch is exposed metal I didn't envisage too much of a lack of sensitivity when trying to detect current.
A few minutes later I found out that the bit is not needed at all.
The tip is extremely sensitive and will flash and beep at the merest hint of electricity. You'd think that was a good thing, but not so. Here's what I did to test the tool:
First off, to get a benchmark by detecting a known live circuit that was only separated from the tool by insulation, I placed the tip against the power lead to my computer. It flashed and beeped rapidly. Great. That is very clear and audible.
But as I moved the tool away, it kept flashing and beeping. I moved it about, and it stopped.
More testing, so I put the tip against each of these:
- A dead receptacle, with the breaker turned off (but connected to ground).
- A live receptacle, with a device connected and working.
- The plastic cover on a wall-mounted light switch
- An exposed cable, connected but not powered.
- An exposed cable, connected and powered.
- My PC keyboard (USB) by the numlock key.
- My USB mouse cable, next to the mouse.
These last two were scary! The range of the tool is supposed to be 50-600v, but the maximum power to the USB devices is supposed to be DC, 5v and 100mA at most. Relatively speaking, that's microscopic.
In every one of the above, the same results. Lots of flashing and beeping.
The only kind of cable that didn't have a result was one that was not powered and not connected to anything at all. Hmph.
So, if you want to locate something that could have some kind of electrical connection - but may not actually be working - this will do the job.
I don't think it's wrong to expect the tool to be more useful than that.
On the face of it, then, it's a great idea. But in practice, it is very poor because it cannot tell the difference between circuits that are live and those that are not. That is potentially dangerous.
So, as a screwdriver, it fails.
As a tester, it fails.
Don't buy it.
Description of GB Electrical SDT-15 Circuit Alert Screwdriver Tester 6-in-1
Circuit alert 6-in-1 screwdriver / tester has a handle sensor detects AC voltage without contacting live conductors, an audio and visual alert system, and a voltage range of 50-600V with a frequency range of 5-500 HZ and includes: #1 and #2 Phillips, 3/16" and 1/4" slotted, 5/16" and 1/4" hex nut driver. It runs on replaceable AAA batteries which are included.Electrical
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