I used to have a tool which I used to check to see if there was power in a circuit or not. It was a pen-shaped plastic tool about the same size as a large pen. It was red and used those little round batteries. You could wave it around near an outlet or a cable, and if there was power running through it, or to it, the tool would make a noise. This tool was not dangerous, it was basically reliable and it was user-friendly. Unfortunately, I had 2 of those, but they broke. When the second one broke, I went to Home Depot to replace it and learned that they don't sell those anymore.

Find best value and selection for your GB-Instruments-Low-Voltage-Circuit-Alert-GVD-504LV- search on eBay. World's leading marketplace.

I went to Rona, Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, small local hardware stores, and nobody has these tools anymore. Instead, there are 2 tools available now. I have included a picture. I don't know how to use these tools. Neither one of them does the same thing as the old red plastic tool. The one on the top is apparently used to tell you if a cable or an outlet is connected to a working circuit - the problem is, I already know which circuits are working.

They are the ones which are connected in the panel. I don't need a tool to tell me that. I can see it with my eyes. I have already mapped out the electrical system on paper and I know which ones are which. So when I use this tool, the larger one, if I wave it around the cable or the outlet, nothing happens.

But when I put it into a socket, it causes an explosion and shorts everything out. It has caused 2 fires already and I am afraid to use it again. The tip is now melted. I refuse to use it again because I don't know how to use it. The instructions? There aren't any.

The other tool, if you wave it around near the outlet or the cable, nothing happens. If you stick it into an outlet, sometimes a tiny orange glow appears deep inside the tool. Sometimes not. The glow does not appear to correspond to the presence of power or lack of power.

It seems to be totally random to me. There are minimal instructions that came with that tool - it says to use your thumb to ground it. Trust me, I do.

Description: DameWare Mini Remote Control (MRC) is one of the best values in remote control software available today. MRC is licensed by the number of help desk technicians your organization has and not by agent or end-point. If the activation code or serial key does not fit, download and generate newChecked Dr.Web No virusesLink: Installation Instructions: 1. Download the file 2. Install the software on your computer 3. Generate new code / keyTo download the “dameware mini remote control activation key crack”. Dameware mini remote control keygen software. DameWare Mini Remote Control is an advanced remote application solution that allows you to connect easily and securely to a variety of platforms. This software allows you to seamlessly connect to desktops, laptops and remote servers. Access computers across the network you are managing regardless of whether they are powered off or sleeping using this comprehensive app.

I don't like explosions. It also says you have to twist it a little. So I twist it. But it doesn't make any difference. So I am mostly wondering where I can find a tool which does what the little red plastic tool used to do. I don't like these new tools they are selling because I cannot work on the the wiring in my house if I do not know which outlets have power running through them and which ones don't. For example, I was just trying to cut some wood with a circular saw.

The power stopped. I thought something was wrong with the saw. I took it apart, found nothing wrong, and put it back together. I started sawing again. It died again.

I threw the saw in the trash. Later, I tried to use a different cutting tool to cut up some metal trash I had lying around. That one didn't work either. Wait, they can't both be broken. So now I am thinking there is something wrong with the outlet. But how can I check if I don't know if there is power or not?

So I need to know what tool you can use if none of the stores will sell an appropriate tool anymore. I don't know about that screwdriver but if it is blown up, don't use it. The small screwdriver works okay for what you are doing.

It does not work by waving it around. The tip must be in contact with something live. What you need to do with it though is touch your finger to that little round metal piece on the butt of the handle.

This creates a ground through you that will light the neon lamp if power is present. The randomness is either because it wasn't making contact with an energized contact or you weren't touching the end of the screwdriver. That tester is especially handy when dealing with knob and tube. As to the 'tick tracer', I can't believe that no one in your area has them. I seem to see them everywhere. We just bought a couple of them at HD a couple of months ago.

You could go to an electrical supply house and they would have them for sure. Just make sure that you check it on a known live outlet or wire before you start using it each time. They are a handy tool but like any other, you can't put 100% of your trust in it. I don't know about that screwdriver but if it is blown up, don't use it.