can u test it at the switch?
2007-12-01 11:01:35 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Assuming the bulb is good. Remove the switch cover. Does the switch have a ground wire. If so with the switch in the off position use a voltmeter and put one lead on one of the switch terminals and the other to the ground. Do the same thing with the other terminal. One terminal should have read voltage and the other one nothing. Turn the switch on and now do the same procedure. You should have a voltage reading at both terminals if the switch is working properly. If you aren't getting voltage at any terminal with switch on or off then you of course don't have any juice coming into the switch. If your not familiar with the voltmeter, practice with it on an outlet that you know is good. Oh and if you don't have a ground screw you can use the metal box that the switch may be mounted in. Be careful and good luck!
2007-12-01 12:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by gmf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've done the logical answers above and you're still not sure, then buy a new switch, or try this:
To check the switch itself, **Turn OFF the power**, then take off the cover. Borrow an electronic meter, turn it to Ohm and place it on the switch terminals. If the meter registers "infinity" when it's OFF then the switch doesn't have a short. Turn the switch ON, if the ohm meter is close to zero then the switch conducts electricity.
Put the meter on AC and Volt, turn off the switch, and turn ON the power. If the volt meter does not show 110 to 115 volts AC then it's the wiring. Turn the switch on, if it still reads the same then it's a good switch.
If it's a three+ way switch then use the Amp setting and turn the switch through it's positions. If the amperage varies then it's a good switch.
2007-12-01 11:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by sheik_sebir 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check to make sure the bulb still works (in a light you know works), check other outlets or lights on the same circuit as the light in question, if you have a good bulb and other lights or outlets on the same circuit work, good chance it could be the switch, but the light fixture its self has not been eliminated at this point. If it is a portable light, plug it in an outlet you know works, with a working bulb.
2007-12-01 11:09:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you walk in the room and its dark what you do first is flip the switch. If its still dark then you know its not walking
2007-12-01 11:05:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For less than a buck I'd change it.
2007-12-01 14:24:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
very confusing thing. look into into search engines like google. just that will help!
2015-03-24 17:31:46 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try changing the bulb first
2007-12-01 11:09:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya, if it don,t work then its broke,
2007-12-01 11:03:58 · answer #8 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋