Electricity poses a huge danger when you work with it—especially when you aren’t familiar with it or suspect some sort of electrical issue that could be causing increased safety issues. One way to ensure you are safe from a current is to use a non-contact tester. They can be helpful to confirm that an outlet doesn’t have power after you’ve flipped a breaker or that all the wires of a light fixture are off before you try to change it. Electrical testers are simple to use and quite helpful to have in hand.
How Does a Non-Contact Tester Function?
A non-contact voltage tester is the safest way for a homeowner to check whether there is a current running through an electrical element. Most look similar to a thick Sharpie with a digital screen. This device can sense an electrical current even behind a plastic covering, minimizing the amount of handling and dismantling you need to do. Whether you need to test an outlet, wires, or a light switch, a non-contact tester alerts you to power without directly touching the element.
Testing an Outlet
To test an outlet, gently press the pointy end of the tester to each of the holes on the outlet. If there is power running to the outlet, odds are the tester will start alerting before it even comes fully into contact. When a current is sensed, make sure the breaker for that outlet is switched off. If the breaker is off but power is still reaching the outlet, you know that there is a significant wiring issue, and you need to call an electrician.
Testing a Light Fixture
You can use the non-contact tester to confirm a fixture is not “hot” before you unscrew it and expose the wires. Simply turn off the breaker in the control panel, remove one of the bulbs from the fixture, and hold the non-contact tester against the socket base. Be sure to test it multiple times if there are numerous light switches—flip a switch, test the socket, then flip another switch and test again, etc.
Test a Light Switch
Flip the breaker in the main control panel to turn off the light switch. It’s a good idea to flip each switch on and off a few times to ensure they are no longer turning on and lights in the room. Then, touch your tester against the screws on the switch’s faceplate. If a current is still reaching the switch, the tester will alert you. After confirming they aren’t “hot,” you can safely unscrew the faceplate. Use the non-contact tester to touch each of the wires and make sure none of them are live before you proceed any further.
Non-contact testers are great for confirming that no power reaches the element you are concerned about. However, that is pretty much the limit of this device. Other testers, such as multimeters and voltmeters, can give you more detailed information about the strength of the power coming to the electrical element.
Though knowing how to use testers is excellent for identifying problem areas and unsafe features, you should never attempt to perform any electrical job that you are not confident with doing. In fact, it is better to leave it to professionals even if you think you can do it because licensed electricians are adequately insured against damage.
Promise Electric employs a team of master electricians that service residential and commercial clients throughout Sarasota.
