How to Use the Function of Identifying the Live Wire with a Multimeter
In the past, electricians used a screwdriver tester to check for faults during maintenance. Now, they use a multimeter. In fact, not only can a screwdriver tester distinguish between the live wire and the neutral wire, but a multimeter can also do so. It's just that many people don't know this.
Methods of Distinguishing the Live Wire and the Neutral Wire with a Screwdriver Tester
Ordinary Screwdriver Tester
In the past, when electricians were checking for faults during maintenance, an ordinary screwdriver tester was their go-to tool. Most people basically know how to distinguish the live wire and the neutral wire with an ordinary screwdriver tester. Just use the screwdriver tester to measure the live wire and the neutral wire. If the screwdriver tester lights up, it is the live wire; if it doesn't light up, it is the neutral wire.
Digital Screwdriver Tester
Since the emergence of the digital screwdriver tester, the ordinary screwdriver tester is rarely used. The digital screwdriver tester has many functions. For example, it can detect broken wires without power, distinguish between the live wire and the neutral wire, distinguish the positive and negative poles of a DC battery, and determine whether a wire is short-circuited. Therefore, the ordinary screwdriver tester has gradually been phased out. To distinguish the live wire and the neutral wire with a digital screwdriver tester, just use the tester to measure the live wire and the neutral wire, and observe the voltage shown on the digital screwdriver tester. If the maximum voltage displayed is 220V, it proves to be the live wire. If the maximum voltage displayed is 12V or 36V, it proves to be the neutral wire.
Inductive Breakpoint Screwdriver Tester
The main function of the breakpoint screwdriver tester is to find the position of the internal breakpoint in a wire after the wire is powered off. To distinguish the live wire and the neutral wire with the breakpoint screwdriver tester, use the tester to measure the live wire and the neutral wire respectively. When measuring the live wire with the breakpoint screwdriver tester, the sound it makes is relatively rapid. When measuring the neutral wire, the sound it makes is relatively slow.
Methods of Distinguishing the Live Wire and the Neutral Wire with a Multimeter
A multimeter has an AC voltage range, which can be used to measure the voltage of alternating current. When measuring the voltage, place the red and black test leads on the live wire and the neutral wire respectively, and the voltage will be displayed. However, when measuring the voltage, it is necessary to set the multimeter to an appropriate range. For example, when measuring the household voltage of 220V or 380V, set the multimeter to the AC voltage range of 700V.
