How To Use Electrical Testers and Meters

How to Use an Electrical Tester or Meter: Types of Electrical Meter Testers and Basic Electrical Testing Procedures, Induction Voltage Testers, Analog Testers, Digital Meters, Common Mistakes With When Testing Voltage, How to Test an Electrical Circuit.

The Basics of Electrical Testers and Meters

Electrical Question: How do I test a regular residential electrical panel box for 220volts?

• Can I put both my test leads on each screw side by side?
• Or will that blow my meter?

This electrical wiring question came from: Darome, a Student from Miami, Florida.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical troubleshooting question Darome.

Preparations for Testing Electrical Wiring

Application: Testing Electrical Circuit Wiring.
Skill Level: Advanced. Testing electricity is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Ammeter and Voltage Tester, electricians gloves, face protection, and insulated personal protection.
Estimated Time: Depends on age of the home, the condition of the electrical system and available access to electrical components.
Precaution:  Working in an electric panel is dangerous due to arc flash hazards and the possibility of electric shock.
Notice: Making changes to electrical panel or electric circuits should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

How to Use an Electrical Tester or Meter

Darome, that’s a great question. The testing procedure will depend on the electrical tester that you are using, weather it is a digital meter or a induction type tester.

Types of Electrical Meter Testers and Basic Electrical Testing Procedures

• Induction Voltage Testers
  • The typical induction tester does not have any settings.
  • There is a display or window with numbers which represent the amount of voltage that is being tester.
  • Induction testes have two wire leads which are placed on the circuit or device to be tested.
  • Induction testers are great for testing home electrical wiring because they can can be used for 120 volts or 240 volt circuits.
• Analog Testers
  • Analog testers are also referred to Sweep Needle Digital meters are different because they usually require settings that are appropriate for what is being tested.
  • Analog testers can be used for testing the voltage and resistance of a circuit.
  • Analog testers have two wire test leads, and one dial for setting for the voltage range, and the AC or DC, or Resistance setting.
• Digital Meters
  • Digital meters have a digital display and a dial setting, and may have additional buttons or switches for specific functions.
  • Digital meters are different because most meters usually require settings for the application which is to be tested.
  • More advanced meters have built in protection to prevent internal damage to the meter if it is not set up properly.
• Common Mistakes With When Testing Voltage
  • One common mistake is to use a 12 Volt DC Car or Automotive Tester for 120 Volts AC home circuits.
  • Using a Low Voltage DC Tester, such as a 12 Volt DC tester, for testing 120 volts will damage the tester.

How to Test an Electrical Circuit

• How to Check for Voltage
  • Voltage is checked by placing the test leads on the circuit wiring, where one test lead is placed on the power wire, and the other test lead is placed on the neutral or ground wire.
  • This test tells you the circuit voltage which will help determine if the circuit wiring and voltage is operating normally.

• How to Check for Continuity Using the OHMS  Setting
  • The OHMS  setting test the resistance of a circuit wire or the resistance of an electrical device, such as the internal windings of a motor or transformer.
  • One of the most practical OHMS test is to see if a fuse is OK or not.
  • NOTE: Keep in mind that this setting is used to measure the resistance of a circuit or circuit component and is performed when there is NO VOLTAGE on the circuit, or the circuit power is OFF.

More about Electrical Testers and Electrical Circuit Wiring

Using Electrical Testers and Meters

Electrical Safety and Voltage Testers
When working on home electrical wiring, quality voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety. Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.

Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring

Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered.

Electric panel

House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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