Question about using a voltage pen on old houses

I used to trust those things completely until I got zoned out on a 1940s rewire in St. Louis where the pen didn't light up on a hot line... now I always double-check with my meter. Anyone else have a close call that made you switch up your go-to tool?

4 comments

4 Comments

morgan_king362mo ago

Man, that's scary. My friend had a similar thing happen in an old Philly row house. His pen was silent on a wire that turned out to be live. He only found out because his elbow brushed it and he felt the buzz. After hearing stories like that and what @leo_black76 said, it just makes sense to always use the meter. Those pens can miss stuff, especially in old wiring. Why take the chance, you know?

beth2762mo ago

A 1940s rewire in St. Louis is exactly why I never trust those pens alone.

leo_black762mo ago

My buddy got lit up the same way.

claire_davis311mo ago

Yeah that's rough, sorry to hear about your buddy. Morgan_king36's right about those pens being sketchy in old wiring, I've seen them fail too.