Continuity checker - where to buy?

[Blair]

I have a continuity checker which consists of a lamp, a battery, a crocodile clip and a sharp pointer which can detect a break in the line with no voltage in the circuit. I have had mine for years but cannot trace where I bought it. I want to buy one for a friend who is a model railway enthusiast and it would be very helpful to him to be able to detect which rail is faulty in a large circuit with numerous rails joined together. Any suggestions? Blair

[Christian McArdle]

Just buy any cheap multimeter which claims a continuity tester buzzer. Should only cost a couple of quid, and you get a fully featured multimeter thrown in. The buzzer is better than a bulb. You don't have to look, and brief continuity is indicated better than a slowly warming bulb.

Christian.

[Blair]

Thanks for you help. I've certainly learnt a lot from your message- I had no idea that a multimeter had this facility. Unfortunately in my case when I looked my multimeter does not have this facility and it cost me £17.50! I looked up Squires tool catalogue and they have one for £8.95 which includes a continuity facility. I also noticed in their catalogue there was a Digital Multi-function tester that looks like a screwdriver and allows checking without dismantling or having any contact with live parts. Applications include "break point" in wiring, continuity testing, etc Price £4.95 What do you think of that one? Thanks again Blair

[Alex]

You need to set it to measure resistance. If there's no connection it will be infinite. Otherwise it should display a low number.

alex.

[Christian McArdle]

A proper continuity tester function is leagues better, though. The beep means you don't need to look at the screen.

Christian.

[Blair]

Thanks for your help, I.m learning a lot! In my case when I read resistance on a continuous rail I get 0 but if there is a break I get 1. I had assumed that infinite would be a very large number or am I wrong? Blair

[Christian McArdle]

On many digital multimeters, it reads '1' to indicate infinite, often with a flashing symbol or other indication. Real 1 would be displayed "1.00", which doesn't mean infinite.

Christian.

[Blair]

Thanks Christian. Blair

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You'll get a multimeter from Maplin etc for a couple of quid that will include a continuity buzzer good enough for a go/no go situation.

[Mathew J. Newton]

Indeed, and this one in particular at =A33.99 will be more than up to the job, and more besides:

[dmc]

If you've a maplin store nearby then something like:

do you. I picked up a cheap meter that I tend to have kicking about for under 3 quid a few months back. Checking it against a fluke it's surprisingly accurate!

Darren