Review on ⚡️ Enhance Electrical Safety & Performance with Extech CT70 AC Circuit Load Tester by Patrick Carlson

GFCI Socket Tester - Triplet 9610 "Plug-Bug 2" GFCI Socket Tester - Gardner GFI-350 Re1ceptacle and.3 GFCI Tester OVERVIEW: ----------- All 4 can be used to find common wiring faults in US household outlets and GFCI outlets and verify that GFCI function is working, working and turns off when needed. All but the Gardner Bender have a mini GFCI test LED to confirm the test button. Contacted although I don't think that in itself should be against the terms of the contract. All 4 work. Let's find a way to help you decide one over the other. (1) INSTRUCTIONS: ------------- -------Klein's instructions: Klein's instructions are excellent, perhaps the best. However, after reading other instructions, Klein's instructions could benefit even more from more cautions/warnings/cautions and helpful comments. EASY TO READ details divided into 2 USAGE SCENARIO and STEP flowchart style. - MINI DATASHEET Specification information you don't normally expect from such a cheap tool and some may find necessary. I liked his recording. - Printed on high quality multi-page folded white card stock, the brochure is by far the most beautiful and durable presentation people can actually keep. The content and appearance belie the product's PROFESSIONAL IMPRESSION. - I think one of the shortcomings is the THINNESS of the WARNINGS/WARNINGS, which becomes apparent if you read Triplett's instructions (see below). Triplet Instructions: - WARNINGS / WARNINGS YES. MOST DETAILED, most helpful. - The actual INSTRUCTIONS are the WEAKEST and most difficult to read of the three, with almost no detail or step-by-step transitions. - Instructions and warnings were placed on one side of a very thin piece of paper. index card size. SCREAM CHEAP. But again, precautions/warnings are best. Extech Guides: - Guides are better than Triplett's guides, albeit less detailed and practical than Klein's guides. - Notes/Warnings/Restrictions that may be related to Klein's instructions, although they are much less detailed and user-friendly. as a triplet. For instructions and/or warnings, you will receive an index card-sized cardboard backing half. Instructions from Gardner Bender: - I like the separation of the instructions for testing regular and GFCI sockets for non-experts. - I like that some environmental specifications are labeled. I love the list of what these products can't do, the suggestions to hire a qualified electrician to fix problems, the reminder to turn off the power at the outlet when working on it, and other safety tips. - The instructions are in glossy black and white, showing care. Not quite the attention to detail in the instructions that Klein showed, but certainly adequate and of enough quality not to detract from the product experience. If it matters to you, I'll give the lead to Klein and second place to Gardner Bender (2). ) QUALITY CONSTRUCTION, PREPARATION AND FINISHING: ------------------ Power plugs for all without swaying, they are The ground pins fully molded and not the cheap looking U-shaped ones that some have and they all fit easily in the sockets. The BODIES of all but the Gardner Bender are almost the same, except the Klein body seems to be better made, second best was Extech and finally the triplet. The parts on Klein fit together best and more evenly than the other two, there are fewer gaps between the plastic parts and fewer surface imperfections. The Gardner Bender CASE is different and its build quality is excellent, at least on par with Klein, it looks like the cheapest of the four. Gardner Bender's instructions state that the device is double insulated, "the tester is protected by double insulation or reinforced insulation". I don't know how that compares to the other three. I prefer Gardner Bender and Klein. ------------------Text describing what LEDs mean is easiest to read at Gardner Bender, Klein, and Extech. Colored circles matching text are easiest to read on Extech, followed by triplet, then Klein, then Gardner Bender. None of them have text or colored circles that are too hard to see, although the text on Triplet is pretty poor. This is where I give Exatech the edge. -------------------------------------------------- --------- Gardner Bender speaks in white text on a high-visibility black background, and Triplet writes in large, bold black text on a white background to read the instructions before use. On Klein and Extech, the same warning label is almost invisible and is molded in the same body color as the case. Here I prefer Gardner Bender and Triplet. Gardner Bender or Klein for the quality of the instructions and the feeling that someone cares more about making them. They all seem to work, and none of us are going to test a random sample of 100 of them and probably open them up for study. , so we'll probably never be able to judge their true relative longevity. If any of the manufacturers here would like to comment on solving any of the issues raised here, I'll update the review accordingly. ------------------------------------------------------- To help users of all these types of Socket Testers I have included a good list of cautions/warnings from Triplett here as they may be informative to the casual user of most socket testers of this type. Everything is applicable to avoid misreadings. Devices and equipment must be disconnected/disconnected from the circuit under test - Do not press the TEST button on (this meter) for more than 6 seconds. This is interesting now that pressing for 7 seconds is one of the steps in the Klein Tools test guide. Note. Does that explain why you shouldn't press it for 7 seconds? Of course why not :).- This tester does not indicate the quality of the ground.- This tester may not indicate the presence of a hot wire. That means there may be a hot wire if none of the lights are on. - This tester will not accurately indicate a combination of wiring problems. - This tester will not test GFCIs installed on a 2-wire (ungrounded) circuit. - This tester does not perform a comprehensive test. It only checks for probable general incorrect connection conditions - 120 VAC is dangerous and can cause injury or death to the user. Take all appropriate precautions. Note. Is it included in the relevant warnings? Of course why not :) - Use only on 110-125VAC outlets - GFCI outlet or GFCI branch protection must be installed to manufacturers specification - All corrective action must be performed by a qualified electrician. Note: amen. SOME ADDITIONAL "PRECAUTIONS/WARNINGS” PUBLISHED BY EXTECH THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR MANUFACTURER'S DEVICE (Amended Wording): ------------- ------------ --- - I will add these extras from the Extech instructions. - If the circuit does not turn off after pressing the GFCI button, either the GFCI is working but the wiring is wrong, or the wiring is correct and the GFCI is not working. - Tester will not indicate 2 hot wires in circuit - Tester will not indicate entangled ground or neutral wires. DEPARTMENT OF YOUR MANUFACTURER (wording changed): ----------------------------------- ----- - ---------- I will add this extra from Gardner Bender's instructions. The more disconnected from the network other instruments or devices in the circuit are, the less likely erroneous readings are.