Why You Still Need a Neon Test Lamp in Your Toolbox
If you've ever poked around an old toolbox, you've probably seen a neon test lamp sitting at the bottom, looking a bit like a translucent screwdriver. It's one of those classic tools that hasn't changed much over the decades because, honestly, it doesn't really need to. While we have fancy digital multimeters and non-contact voltage detectors these days, there is something incredibly reliable about that tiny orange glow that tells you exactly what you need to know: is this wire live, or can I touch it without getting a nasty surprise? ...