Electrical testers are modern diagnostic tools that are useful for acknowledging the presence or absence of electric current in a wire or any other conductor. These testers have a bulb in series with a very high resistance. This resistance potentially protects your body from the lethal high current. You can find their applications in detecting live wires prominently.
Along with listing them, the following article also mentions the USB dongle-based current testers. The latter testers can measure output currents and voltages of USB powered devices.
10. Okray Current Tester ($10.49)
This power meter tests voltage, current, and speed of charger cable or capacity of power bank. A buzzer sounds when the voltage goes over the specified level. It is simple to use.
Specifications:
- Input Voltage: 3.0 – 15 V
- Input Current: 0 – 3.5 A
- Voltage Accuracy: when 3.0 – 15 V, ±1%
- Current Accuracy: when 50 – 3500 mA, ±1%
- Maximum Capacity Value: 99999 mAh
- Maximum Save Data Group: 9
” I’m a real person who paid full price for this product. I was hesitant to buy it because there were only a few reviews of this model and there are other, competing devices with far, far more reviews. However, I’m -really- glad I bought it. This thing is AWESOME. It’s cheap, the display is easy to read, and it has the best input voltage and amperage range of any of the testers I could find on Amazon. Not only does it work with quick charge 3.0 devices, but it will probably collaborate with the next fast charge incarnation as well. Quick charge 3.0 has a maximum voltage of 20v. This tester can test up to 30v. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a laptop that charges with USB type C (latest Macbook, Pixel), you can probably use this to test those chargers as well. I think those top out at 20v/3A.
The best part? You can insert the male connector of this device either face-up or face-down. I’ve never seen that before on a USB type An adapter. The pins are located in the centre of the kind A connector *without* the standard white/blue plastic bar that forces a particular insertion orientation. This makes it easy to orient the device with the display facing towards you.
I highly, highly recommend this product!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
9. Binwo Current Tester ($12.99)
This unit measures output current and voltage of a USB powered device. It clearly displays all data and values of output current and the output voltage as well as charge-discharge capacity.
Specifications:
- Voltage: 3 – 9 V, (+/-) 1%
- Current: 0 – 3 A, (+/-) 1%
“This product is excellent. Being able to test 4v to 9v is great, as new fast chargers are 9v and my previous USB meter only when to 5v, which was annoying because I could not test if my charger and cables were good. This product has been accurate to my knowledge. I like the blue design as it is one of my favourite colours. It seems to be built well. No issues with it. My only complaint is there is no way to turn the screen off so if you are charging something in a dark room this screen is brilliant. I ended up using a small microfiber cloth to cover it.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
8. Soondar Current Tester ($6.99)
This superior quality, light-weight and portable multimeter instantaneously measures current and voltage and displays the values on the LED screens. It supports 3 – 8 Volts and 0 – 3 Amperes. The three-digit display shows the values of alternating voltage and current passing through the device. It is incredibly lightweight and portable.
“This is a handy USB volt and Ammeter; It reads out in red LED’s and alternates between voltage and current. I use it to monitor the charge rate of different USB devices. So far has worked well on five different devices with no weird messages saying that it is not compatible. I would recommend this USB meter and the seller called Soondar.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
7. Eversame Current Tester ($10.89)
This unit is also a USB digital power multimeter. It is specially designed to measure how fast a USB cable or USB power adapter charger is. You can choose between nine different display modes. The unit has a clear and bright display making it incredibly easy to monitor your values. It is ideal for evaluating whether or not the computer, USB wall charger, and USB car charger are producing acceptable voltage and current levels for the device to which they are connected.
“Great tool for the price! I was a little worried about the high voltage rating together with the low price, but it works great. It is easy to read, and I have grown to trust it as a second USB monitor. My primary, most reliable control is a Drok, but this one reads almost the same readings.(half the price). Nice size and feels durable enough to last. I like it and would buy again as well as recommend it. I think it may be the best small budget USB monitor.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
6. X-Dragon Current Tester ($9.99)
This dual, digital USB multimeter has a seven mode monitor which displays voltage, current, capacitance, and power. The measuring range of voltage lies between 3.2 – 15 V and the range of current is from 0 to 3 A with an accuracy of (+-) 1%. The first output is used for both charging and data transfer, while the second output is for high current fast charging. It simultaneously displays current and voltage in real-time.
“This is an excellent device. I tested with a good multimeter, and it is accurate. It’s compact, easy to use and reliable. If you need to measure the voltage and current usage on USB connections, you will struggle to find a more affordable and straightforward solution. Both USB outputs can be used simultaneously. This allows chargers, for example, to be loaded with two devices to max out and measure their capability. Buy one and try it out for yourself!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
5. Seinoc Current Tester ($5.60)
This device can measure voltage and current on USB powered devices. It is incredibly simple to use and has the following features.
Technical Specifications By The Manufacturer:
- Detection range: Voltage: 3.5 – 7.0 V (Error: 0.1 V)
- Current: 0 – 3 A (Error: 0.01 A)
- Resolution: Voltage: 10 mV (Current: 1 mA)
- Error: voltage <1%; current <2%
- The full-scale voltage: 200 mV
- Operating temperature: 0-60 degree
“Very handy for checking how much current your phone is pulling – you can use it to tell if the phone is operating in fast charge mode or not. Also useful for checking that the USB voltage remains stable under load, which can be problematic on some cheap adapters.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
4. Katzco Current Tester ($9.99)
This current tester has long probes with alligator clips to reach out to nooks and crannies. It efficiently tests connections and finds short circuits, power shorts and breaks in wires quickly and easily. The sharp steel probe reaches into fuse boxes or pierces insulation to contact wire so you can keep your hands safe from any harmful material. The extra large 54-inches cord allows for greater flexibility, range, and freedom.
“Excellent tester. Was a lot more professional quality than I had expected. Heavy duty and durable for the same price as many lower quality models. Thank you very much. Very quick arrival. I am euphoric with my choice.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
3. QXT Current Tester ($5.99)
This multi tester has a rubber sleeve to protect it from shocks and drops specifically. The red LED shows current while the blue one displays voltage. It can be used with anything from mobile phones to other electronic products.
“Why didn’t I know about this sooner? So easy to use and as a bonus, it converts one USB port into two ports. OK, so most of the time we don’t care about USB volts and amps, but I love to make microcontroller projects, Arduino, Netduino, Raspberry Pi, etc., and often it helps to know the current draw of a project powered by the USB cable. This device makes it so simple. I’m pleased.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
2. MicTuning Current Tester ($16.90)
This digital current and voltage tester works for DC 6 – 30 V at 0 – 10 A. It is incredibly compact and easy to install. It has a 3-bit digital LED tube and mounts in most of the applications, such as marine cockpits, caravan applications, trucks, and RV’s. It can also be used for monitoring the storage-battery current and voltage, with reverse connection protection function which prevents the line from burning.
“This item ships from China. Shipping info said 5-6 weeks delivery. I received mine in 10 days!! And yes this does register less than 12v I was curious how low it would go. My adjustable voltage regulator only goes as low as 3v and this read 3v with no problem; it didn’t even dim at all! I planned on installing this in place of my factory cigarette lighter, but this was a bit larger than the factory hole, but with a little modification to my dash it fit perfectly, and it looks fantastic” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
1. Fluke Current Tester ($79.16)
This tester automatically measures AC and DC voltage with precision and accuracy. You can detect the presence of current using three methods, i.e., light, sound, and vibration. This unit turns off after few minutes of inactivity and has detachable probe tips. For a residential measurement, Fluke covers all the basic electrical measurements. It can run around 40 hours on 2 AAA batteries and has an integrated flashlight.
“This tester does everything I need and so far (6 mo), has stood up to whatever kind of abuse I’ve able to throw at it. As the previous reviewer mentioned, one of its best features is that you can lock one of the probes into the back of the meter and use the whole thing as a kind of big probe — no problems with finding where to set the meter or where to look for the reading. The only improvement I could think of would be a light for the LCD panel.
Simple controls, solid construction, and looks like it was designed by someone who has tried to use a meter while on top of a step ladder. Well, worth the extra $$.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
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