How To Use the 61-502 Receptacle Tester

Join Ron Kipper, IDEAL’s product expert, in learning about the product features and how-tos of the IDEAL Electric Testers and Meters. They are UL Certified safety rated. Want to learn more about the family of IDEAL testers? Visit the IDEAL website: www.idealind.com
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[@commercialelectrician133]

Great short video

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Thanks Ron

[@commercialelectrician133]

Just a thought can you find out if they can make it with the ground up for commercial electrical where we install ground up

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

I will pass along you comment! Ron

[@commercialelectrician133]

Thanks I hope you understand what I'm saying because if we use the tester we can't see the diagram because we installed outlets ground up

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hello can you please reach out to me? Got a couple questions about your comment thanks [e-mail]

[@Sparky-ww5re]

These testers do not detect a combination of defects, and can give false information under certain conditions. For example you have an open ground AND reverse polarity. The tester will indicate open ground. More rarely all three lights will be lit, often with one much brighter than the other two. This occurs when the receptacle is wired to 240V, for example a NEMA 5-20R could have been accidentally installed for a 240 volt window air conditioner that requires a NEMA 6-20R.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Yes there are a number of things these will not detect if you want a better idea of what is going on try using the 61-164 SureTest Circuit Analyzer it can even give you the impedenence of the conductors and voltage drop at an outlet. Have fun Ron

[@Sparky-ww5re]

These are great testers, but the user should be aware of the limitations. For instance a standard plug tester cannot detect bootleg grounds, which for those new to the trade, sometimes older wiring systems have only the hot and neutral, no ground as required in modern practice. In this case to give an illusion that the receptacle in question is properly wired and grounded, the original 2 prong receptacles are replaced with 3 prong, then a short piece of wire is connected between the neutral and ground screws. This poses an electrocution hazard and is a code violation. Unfortunately this occurs more frequently than you might think, especially in flipper homes. To detect this you need the Ideal SureTest Circuit Analyzer because it's advanced technology can tell if the neutral and ground impedance is very low indicating this condition. Or you can remove coverplates and look for this jumper wire, if you're in an old house and suspect illegal upgrades.

[@RonKipperDatacomm1]

Hello thanks for the feedback Ron