Wearing rubber gloves when using an HLT Meter without an attached Hot Stick is never the best idea.
M. W. Bevins recommends always using a proper length (and tested) Hot Stick with all of our HLT Meters for two reasons:
1. SAFETY – The actual Phasing Stick unit is NOT considered a stand-alone “Hot Line tool” and must always be used with additional Hot Line sticks, joined to the meter at the universal splices. Approach distance requirements must always be maintained.
2. PERFORMANCE – Even if Utility work rules allow “Rubber Gloving techniques” some meters measure Field Intensity and close by objects such as grounded cabinets or hand capacitance can affect the displayed readings.