Getting Started

Welcome to Gardner Bender’s frequently asked questions page.

I am sure you have a few questions on how to get started, so lets get you started…there are multiple ways to browse this site:

1. Search Box: This is going to be the quickest way to locate exactly what you are looking for, type a few key words and select the FAQ that best matches your inquiry.
2. Recent Posts: This the most recent questions to be answered.
3. Categories: This will allow you to browse based on a general subject, and see all of the FAQ’s relevant to that topic.

If those three fail, shoot us your question and we will work to get it answered and added to our growing knowledge database.

Have a question about a specific product, or want to place an order with Gardner Bender, there are various ways to contact us!

What size utility knife blades will fit in the RKT series utility knife?

There are currently a few different size utility knife blades available on the market for replacements. The RKT series of utility knives use a 2-3/8″ blades with two slots at the top of the blade. Blades with 3 slots or of a different length will not properly fit in the knife and can cause it to jam and not be able to retract.

Where else can you find information on Gardner Bender and Sperry Instrument products?

More information on our products can be found and the links below.

http://www.gardnerbender.com
http://www.sperryinstruments.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/gbgardnerbender
http://www.actuant.com

How to install the batteries in the Sperry CT6101 Continuity Tester

To install teh batteries in this tester, you will need to remove the battery cover, which is located at the rear of the unit. The cover is the strain relief that connects the wire test lead to the body of the unit. You will need to twist the cover to remove it.

CT6101 Opening Battery Compartment

i am having troubles reading the label on my outlet/GFCI tester. What are the different combinations?

Indicator Fault
0ff 0n(amber) 0ff Open Ground
0ff 0ff 0n(amber) Open Neutral
0ff 0ff 0ff Open Hot
0n(red) 0ff 0n(amber) Hot/Ground Reversed
0n(red) 0n(amber) 0ff Hot/Neutral Reversed
0ff 0n(amber) 0n(amber) Correct

Where do I plug in my test leads on my meter?

This depends on what is being tested. In all cases, the black lead will be placed in the jack marked “COM”. This will never change. The red lead will be placed in the corresponding jack that goes with what is being tested. For voltage, the red lead goes in the jack with the V under it. For resistance, it’s the jack with the Ω symbol under it. Current would be the jack with the A under it.

I don’t understand what the different symbols on the front of my meter mean.

Below is a link to a page that shows what each of the symbols means.

Electrical Symbols

I clamp my clamp meter around a power cord from my appliance, but I am not getting any voltage or current measurement. What is wrong with the tester?

Nothing! A clamp meter will only measure the current flowing through the wire, not the voltage. So a clamp meter will never be able to give you a voltage reading from the clamp section of the meter. You would still have to use your test leads to take a voltage measurement.

As for the current, you need to separate the three wires in thh appliance cord. A clamp meter will only give you a reading when you are around a single conductor of the cord. So with the hot and neutral of the cord both inside of the clamp, there will be no reading. With just the hot or just the neutral, you will get a reading.

We do offer an accessory, the E1 Line Splitter, that helps with this. This allows you to plug your appliance in on one side, and plug the other side into your receptacle. From here you can take an exact measurement, one that will be multiplied by 10, and you can use your test probes from your meter to test the voltage going to that appliance through the Volt Check holes in the top of the unit.