How are you testing 2 blade ungrounded receptacles?
If they’re polarized the only thing that you can really check is to see if they’re wired correctly.
Use your non-contact voltage tester. Older receptacles don’t have a dedicated neutral slot, but newer non-grounding type receptacles do.
Just make sure to set the sensitivity on low to see which side is hot.
Get a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter and you will see that most of these have lost the tension and need replacing.
Great Suggestion,
Fantastic info guys - thanks!
If I come across an old worn looking device I check it with one of these spring tension testers. Insert and pull out. Gives you the spring tension on each prong.
Thats what I use also.
Plus I check that touching the adapter tab to the faceplate screw gives me a “good ground” indication on my GB receptacle tester … or it gets written up as a safety concern, since using the 3-2 adapters with an ungrounded outlet/box is hazardous.
JMO & 2-Nickels
Use a two prong neon 120/240 tester (super cheap) in conjunction with your non-contact voltage tester. You can check for current and polarity.
Great tip Chuck. Do I need to take my shoes off first?