Electricians know how problems can occur in any live circuit that puts serious hazard to any user. Commonly the case, this would involve the electrical wall outlet which appears to be the “source” of energy for most household electronics and equipment.
The danger is even highlighted in the case when the wall outlet itself is that of a regular electrical receptacle with nothing more than an inlet and a free-flowing electricity coming from it.
To offset this problem, the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) was developed intended to either replace or complement the traditional wall outlet, with the sole purpose of adding an extra layer of protection to the user—almost in a fashion similar to a circuit breaker.
But even the best of GFCIs can itself be faulty, rooted from an improper installation or eventual degradation which significantly nullifies the benefit it is supposed to offer. Which therefore brings to another important tool which must be within any practicing electrician’s arsenal of work instruments—the Circuit and Receptacle Tester.
Best Circuit and Receptacle Testers
There is a plethora of products befitting the label of a Circuit and Receptacle Tester, but not all of them are built alike. To save you the confusion of finding the best from the bests, we list down the tools that are indeed worth taking a look (in no particular order).
1. Sperry Instruments GFI6302
Sperry is a well-established brand within the electrical industry whose variety of products cover all sorts of electrical problems. With a popularity among the professionals in the field, the brand Sperry is generally known for quality. The Sperry Instruments GFI6302 is no exception to this rule. Featuring ergonomics, durability, and style in its design as well as a reliable functionality, this receptacle tester is commonplace among the trendy experts in the field. The Sperry Instruments GFI6302’s rubber grips add a layer of traction which makes its handling easier and its comprehensive features easily make it a truly prominent choice. View the product
2. Gardner Bender GFI-3501
The Gardner Bender GFI-3501 may share an almost similar to the GFI6302 in terms of form factor and much of the design, minus the rubber grips on the sides, but this tool is more than just a “copy”. With a functionality that is not only accurate but is also versatile to diverse situations, the Gardner Bender makes for an ideal company during any assessment procedure whenever and wherever. Although it is not to say that the extent of its capabilities is exclusive, it is simply noteworthy at what this tool can do. View the product
3. Power Gear 3
At the outset, the Power Gear 3 might seem like you plain receptacle tester you can buy at any hardware store for cheap. While its price tag is indeed considered among the lowest than others which made the list, do not let its affordable pricing fool you into thinking that this is just another disposal tool that frequently needs replacing. The Power Gear 3 is actually more durable than that and it packs all the right features you would need for an instrument of its kind. View the product
4. Superior TR102T
This product from Taiwan is one of the most—if not the most—expensive receptacle tester to make the list. But its price is not only its outstanding feature which makes its presence stick like a sore thumb—it also looks different, too. With a relatively high cost and a weird design, however, comes an uncompromising functionality whose results are up to par with the best. View the product
5. TACKLife EST01
Of all the receptacle testers that made this list, the TACKLife EST01 is certainly one with the best design which strays from the usual form factor seen in many other products of its kind. This is not to mention that it also incorporates LED to indicate its findings, instead of the traditional lighting system commonplace to many receptacle testers. However, looks alone is not what made this particular tool earn its place among the best in this list—more importantly, the TACKLife EST01 is an instrument that delivers to its promise of accurate results. View the product
6. Klein Tools RT210
The Klein Tools RT210 is not particularly rugged by design to stand abuse which makes it more applicable to household usage than in the industrial setting. But who would choose to make use of a tool of this caliber intensely when it is more fitting for occasional household check only? For the licensed electricians, this make for a suitable backup tool than something to main on. View the product
7. Amprobe ST-102B
The Amprobe brand has been slowly making its name as a reliable manufacturer in the electrical industry, with many of its products making the list of top 10s in any category. Unsurprisingly, this reputation is carried with its ST-102B, a good quality receptacle tester. Functionality-wise, the Amprobe ST-102B is at par in the game, thanks to its complete set of features which come with amazing results. But this receptacle tester is also not without its shortcomings, nuanced by the unique experiences of its users. View the product
In general, all of these products share, more or less, the same capabilities and are therefore only distinguished by certain features, such as design and price. This is likely given by the fact that receptacle testers, at their current state, do not need reinventing of the wheel.
While the descriptions for each instrument listed in this listicle are sufficient enough to point out the major differences from others, it is also worth noting that there are also other elements at play which could potentially affect your preference. For this reason, we urge that you delve into people’s reviews of each product further to form a more solid judgement of what you are to buy.