The Quicktest unit has been around for a long time, and is used in electrical and electronic workshops to safely connect power to electrical equipment that does not have a plug. Note that the device is only intended for people with good electrical awareness.
It has a very strict isolation system whereby lifting the lid to access the terminals completely isolates the live and neutral connections.
Connecting the test wires is done via "piano key" type connectors that grip the wires securely when released. The connectors are colour coded with the standard European flex colours with the earth/ground key being solid green as opposed to striped green and yellow.
Since I get asked about this item a lot, here are some links to the manufacturer and suppliers.
Cliff Plastic Products:- http://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/tools/quicktest.htm
US supplier:- http://www.newark.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1850/electrical-tester/dp/68C8457?ost=quicktest&selectedCategoryId&categoryId=800000005787
(Suggested by YouTubers SolarDrew and Kasey Norman.)
UK suppliers:-
Rapid Electronics:- http://www.rapidonline.com/cables-connectors/cliff-cl1850-quicktest-mains-connector-23-0195
CPC:- http://cpc.farnell.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1853/quicktest-mains-connector-block/dp/PL10638?ost=quicktest&selectedCategoryId=&categoryName=All+Categories&categoryNameResp=All%2BCategories
It has a very strict isolation system whereby lifting the lid to access the terminals completely isolates the live and neutral connections.
Connecting the test wires is done via "piano key" type connectors that grip the wires securely when released. The connectors are colour coded with the standard European flex colours with the earth/ground key being solid green as opposed to striped green and yellow.
Since I get asked about this item a lot, here are some links to the manufacturer and suppliers.
Cliff Plastic Products:- http://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/tools/quicktest.htm
US supplier:- http://www.newark.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1850/electrical-tester/dp/68C8457?ost=quicktest&selectedCategoryId&categoryId=800000005787
(Suggested by YouTubers SolarDrew and Kasey Norman.)
UK suppliers:-
Rapid Electronics:- http://www.rapidonline.com/cables-connectors/cliff-cl1850-quicktest-mains-connector-23-0195
CPC:- http://cpc.farnell.com/cliff-electronic-components/cl1853/quicktest-mains-connector-block/dp/PL10638?ost=quicktest&selectedCategoryId=&categoryName=All+Categories&categoryNameResp=All%2BCategories
very handy tool though quite expensive for what it's made of
We had ONE of these in the Physics Laboratory of my Alma Mater, Maynooth University in the 1970's. It was just used whenever a device was missing a plug top.
The Black, Green and Red is MUCH nicer than the yuck European colour scheme I think.
My own unit arrived safely about 3 weeks ago in Brown, Green and Blue.
I have one of these at my bench as well, but with north american color code. got tired of using my old test lead whic\h was a cord end with marettes…
Finally bitten the bullet and bought one of these. They are expensive but quality costs I guess.
I’ve got mine back in the early 80s but it called branded as safe block and the conductors are bear metal but covered when the top is closed. Very useful tool to have.
The least expensive US supplier I could find (Newark) still has the quicktest with US wire colors for $60 if you buy one and $40 if you buy 20. However, I did find a shop (cloudfree) reselling them for $48, so I bought one from there. They specialize in non-cloud-based "smart" devices but the owner must be a Clive fan since the quicktest is otherwise quite out of place in their shop.
Really clever, but also too much expensive for a very simple compnents !
I'm getting one of these, Clive. Just to be silly, it will be the QT-3 3Φ version, since it will be useful for the 3Φ variac I've had for the past 30 years. Far safer that mucking about with screw terminals.
Thanks, just ordered one. The cheapest I found in Australia is from Element14 for $57.
Hmmm I can get one of these for around Au$80 + postage – I thought that was too much, but if they went for US$60 in 2016 maybe that's not so bad after all. I do a lot of lash up work so one of these would come in handy.
You know, I think it's actually cheaper to have the UK version shipped stateside than to order from a supplier here. I'll have to look into it more, but I'm not at mains voltage yet in my electronics journey.
Risk analysis: work backwards from either "I" or "test tech" got electrocuted, and see what's an inexpensive way you could have prevented it. Or from an ER visit, which is time-consuming, perhaps expensive (depending on where you live), and can only bandage up etc. the parts of you that have been damaged.
Seems a bit pricey, however it covers the live terminals, is well built, won't short when it slides around on the bench, and so on. I expect part of the cost is liability insurance for the manufacturer.
It didnt expect it to be so expensive
The old ones were black with white keys with letters on L live N Neutral E earth, great for use as a test without needing a plug.
andreas speiss sended me here
Why the hell is it so expensive?
Big Clive.. I just ordered one of these because of you. Lots of fun to be had for many years with this little beauty. Thanks mate! 🙂