The question comes up: What is acceptable for voltage testing for medium voltage? Is a Salisbury 4555 non contact tester correct? It measures electric field and will not check phase to phase and phase to ground. Should we be using the hotstick type by Megger?

I don't think there is a real answer to this, I have always established the policy of non-contact check (Check the tester on a live source before and after), and if work will be done on the cables or bus then a direct contact check is also required.

We have also always used the double visual break rule (Utulities use this) for MV work and of course if it isn't grounded it isn't dead.

And use a "shotgun" stick for the grounding process.

Direct Contact

Zog,

What do you use for direct contact?

Checking dead

Get and use the AB Chance multi range detector. It comes with a self test device and is designed to be used with a hot stick. Select the stick for the voltage you are dealing with . Don't forget it is an induction device and won't read any DC static voltage that may be present . You must still apply grounds from the proper distance, or discharge the equipment before making bare-hand contact.

Biddel detex and the pizotest tester to verify the meter works before and after each test.