Milwaukee Voltage Detector w/LED (2202-20) Review

Manufacturer:
Model: 2202-20
Price: $19.99
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The Milwaukee 2202-20 Voltage Detector with LED light is a simple, but perfectly useful tool. It’s strength is in the fact that it does what it needs to without frills and without costing an arm and a leg. It’s powered by a couple of AAA batteries and is small and light enough to store in a pocket, tool belt or just about anywhere.

Build Quality & Features

At just under 6-inches in length and less than 3/4-inch in the remaining two dimensions, the Voltage Detector and LED light resembles a large pen more than it does a sophisticated voltage sensing device. The 2202-20 can detect voltages between 50 and 1000V AC and it is rated CAT IV 1000V. A built-in bright LED work light makes the 2202-20 a lot more useful than just a simple voltage detector, so you’ll likely find yourself pulling it out for more than just sensing voltages. The body of the tool is made from Milwaukee’s standard ABS plastic and is in the traditional red and black colors. Inside the tip is the metal probe which allows for easy checking of power outlets without having to reach for probes or even having to worry about making contact with the actual outlet leads. The 2202-20 has a rear-mounted button that activates the sensor as well as the LED light. A green “Power On” indicator light turns on and lets you know the voltage detector is working properly. When voltage is present the light goes from green to red and an audible alarm sounds, letting you know that you’re near a live wire.

Specifications (2202-20)

• Voltage Range – 50-1000 Volts AC
• Safety Rating – CAT IV,1000V
• Scan for AC Electrical: Yes
• Non-Contact Voltage: Yes
• LED Work Light: Yes
• Indication: Audible & Visual
• Length: 6 in.
• Includes 2202-20 Voltage Detector with LED and (2) AAA Batteries

Testing and Usage

There isn’t a ton to say about a voltage detector, except to go on about the convenience of having a pen-sized tool that doubles as an LED light. The Milwaukee 2202-20 Voltage Detector just works. Push the button on the back of the tool for about a second and the LED light turns on and the detector beeps twice to let you know it’s ready for use. Get it close to an outlet and you’ll see it light up from green to red and begin emitting a rapid sequence of beeps to let you know the line or outlet is hot.

After 3 minutes of inactivity, the 2202-20 will turn itself off, saving the battery. You can also turn off the detector by pressing the button on the rear of the tool for about a second. You’ll want to conserve the battery on this unit, because changing out the AAA cells may just be the hardest thing you’ve ever attempted. It took us about 10 minutes of fiddling with it to get ours off, and we needed a flat head screwdriver to really accomplish the task. We recommend a different method of securing the cover on the next iteration of this tool – for the sake of fingernails and thumbs everywhere. We loved that the unit is rated to CAT IV 1000V. It’s rated that high largely because there’s not much chance of shorting, so the tool can handle some pretty high voltages without fear of an arc blast or other fault.

In terms of simplicity, the Milwaukee Voltage Detector has a pocket clip, which reveals the real ease with which I think this tool functions best. We put it in our pocket and just pulled it out from time to time to check newly installed outlets we were placing in a 1920s home we were renovating with new electricity. To replace the batteries in the tool you just push down on the tab located at the top of the pocket clip. It’s then a matter of sliding the black cover off the tool and inserting new batteries (not that this is an easy task – it took us about 10 minutes of experimental fidgeting to muscle the cover off).

Conclusion

We can’t say it enough… the Milwaukee’s 2202-20 Voltage Detector with LED is a simple tool to use, provided you’re not changing the batteries – the only reason this tool didn’t score a perfect 10 in our Performance rating. It just doesn’t overreach and, as such, successfully pulls off setting itself up as a great tool that’s priced reasonably and works effectively. It’s clearly earned its perfect Value score. We liked how the LED was convenient to use and the voltage detection was simple, accurate and allowed us to get readings quickly when the tip was stuck into the hot leg of any outlet.

About Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY) is an industry leading manufacturer and marketer of professional, heavy duty power tools and accessories.  Products include the legendary SAWZALL® reciprocating saws, M12, M18 & V28™ LITHIUM-ION cordless tools, HOLE-HAWG® drills, portable band saws, circular saws, driver drills, hammer drills, rotary hammers, grinders, sanders, and a test & measurement line.  Accessories include SAWZALL® blades, SWITCHBLADE® self-feed bits, BIG HAWG® hole cutters, THUNDERBOLT® drill bits plus many more.

Specs

• CAT IV 1000V
• Voltage range: 50-1000V AC/DC
• Audible alarm
• LED work light
• Requires 2 AAA batteries
• 5-year warranty