Measuring voltage can be a tricky situation to navigate, and it can be hard to ensure operator safety. But now, a new technology has emerged which is making it easier to measure voltage in the safest possible way.
The first goal of any electrician or technician who works around live voltage is to go home safe. Traditionally voltage has been measured by attaching test lead probes or alligator clips directly to electrical conductors.
This requires metal-to-metal contact that brings with it the risk of arc flash and potential harm to both the person doing the measuring and the equipment being measured.
Fluke FieldSenseTM technology offers a safer way to measure voltage by isolating the measurement tool from the voltage source under test. This reduces the risk of electrical shock andarc flash.
Through the principle of galvanic isolation, FieldSenseTM allows electricians and technicians to measure voltage without exposing themselves to contact points with live voltage.
Instead, FieldSenseTM-enabled test tools such as the Fluke T6 series of Electrical Testers and the new Fluke FieldSenseTM 377 FC and 378 FC Clamp Meters sense the electrical field in the open fork/clamp and measures the voltage through the cable insulation.
Commercial and light industrial electricians can useFieldSenseTM-based devices for voltage and current measurements, verifying continuity values, and testing individual circuits.
Here are the top four ways this non-contact voltage measurement technology can help you work safer:
1. No metal-to-metal contact when measuring ac voltage
In the past, measuring voltage has required metal-to-metal connection via probes or alligator clips to the conductor, which immediately put crews at risk of spark or arc flash. Fluke FieldSenseTM technology allows you to measure ac voltage, current, and frequency through the cable’s insulation by sliding the fork/clamp of the tester over the conductor. There is no direct electrical contact with live voltage so there’s much less potential for electrical shock or arc flash. You can work safer and faster.
2. Goes beyond detection to let you know how much voltage is present
In the past, the non-contact voltage could only be detected with light and sound indication, but contact was still required to actually measure the voltage. FieldSenseTM devices go way beyond those to show you not only that live voltage is present, but also provide you with voltage readings.
FieldSenseTM technology injects a known signal to accurately derive the unknown ac voltage. This produces an actual ac voltage measurement, unlike traditional non-contact voltage detectors that only detect if voltage is present. Operators can now have voltage detection and measurement in one step, with one tool.
3. Reduces the need to open panels because you can access wires at junction boxes
FieldSenseTM-enabled devices don’t need access to wire end points, so you can take a measurement at any point along the conductor. This makes it much easier to quickly measure ac voltage and current on traditionally inaccessible measurement points such as crowded junction boxes. All you need to do is slide a single conducting wire into the open fork/clamp, read the results, and you’re done in no time.
4. One-handed voltage measurements
As FieldSenseTM technology eliminates the need to fuss with test leads, in many cases you can accurately measure voltage with one hand. The open fork/clamp form factor makes it easier to isolate individual hot and neutral wires, which in turn helps reduce the chance of accidental contact with another voltage point and the likelihood of errors. You’ll save time – and perhaps a lot more.
This Sponsored Editorial was brought to you by Fluke. To learn more about how FieldSenseTM can work for you and your crews, head to fluke.co/FieldSense-AU.
