March 25, 2015 DIY Tool Tip: Voltage Tester
If you ever plan on changing out a light fixture, replacing a light switch, installing a new outlet, or doing any type of electrical repairs in your home, you will want to have a voltage tester on hand. There are two types that are generally used by DIY-ers…the “touch” type, which has two pronged wires sticking out of it, and the “no-touch” type, which has a bulb-like tip on the end.
We tend to use the “no-touch” type of voltage tester (also sometimes called “non-contact”) most often for general home use. It tests for the presence of electricity with just a light tough to an electrical cord or strip. Or, if you have removed the cover of say, a light switch, you can hold the tip close to the wiring, but without touching it, and it will let you know if electricity is present.
The voltage tester provides a great safety “back-up” when you are working on anything electrical in your home. Even after turning off the power, we like to use it to double-check that there is no electricity present in the line, before we start working on anything electrical.
It is an inexpensive, small tool that will give you a great deal of peace of mind!
by See Jane Drill, Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved
Hi, Can you post an article about switching out a 2 prong outlet to a 3 prong outlet?
Hmm, that is more complex than you might think, because you have to have grounding, and some older homes are not grounded.