I need to chage a light fixture outside which is broke. How can i make sure the power is off to those wires?

Answer 1

The sure way is to kill the master power breaker to the house. This is a little extreme.. and you will have to reset every clock and answering machine in the house afterwards - but it IS risk free.

I am assuming the fixture is broken and will not light up (otherwise you just turn off individual breakers or pull fuses until the light goes off). I am also assuming you have no way of testing the wires for current (voltmeter, test light, etc.. this is the best way to go but since you asked the question I doubt you have one)

If there is a switch to the fixture, just turn it off and put a piece of tape and a sign over it so no one flicks it while you are working on the unit.

That should do it. If you have never done this before, just do one wire at a time.. don't sweat the green wire.. it is not hot, but the black and white or red and white ones --- do then carefully and one at a time.

Go slow and don't worry..

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Answer 2

volt meter