If a light switch is off, is it really off?

Question

What mechanism controls the switch. Should one double check to make sure that it's off?

Answer 1

When a switch is off, it means that electricity is not being allowed to pass through to whatever it controls. If you are fooling around with whatever device the switch supplies, yeah, it would be a good idea to verify that there's no juice there before you grab hold of things.

Answer 2

when the light goes off after you flip the switch its off. you need to be careful of working ON a light circuit by just flipping the switch off because some people run the common wire through the switch and if you get hold of the hot wire you could get fried.

Answer 3

Inside the switch are conductive metal contacts that can be seperated or joined. The switch is off if the contacts are seperated.

The contacts normally only break the continuity of the black "hot" wire and do not effect the white "common" wire. It is possible for voltage to exist on the common wire with the switch off, but normally it will not.

It is possible, but unlikely, for the switch to fail with the contacts closed. You are safer to switch the circuit breaker off or remove the fuse before working on the circuit.

Answer 4

when the switch is open that means no electric is going beyond the switch. when it is closed you have completed the cercit and will let electric to flow through the switch.

Answer 5

No, go turn off your circuit braker.

Answer 6

power is still on going to the switch...not past it if it is working properly !!

Answer 7

No, if I remember correctly the circuit is just closed for the time being.