How can I tell if my wires are live?

Coopns · Jul 24, 2009

I took down a fixture to replace with a ceiling can light. My box is labled very well so I am not sure what circuit it is. I don't want to buy a "not sure what they are called...tester", is there some other way to test those two wires without getting zapped?

Alectrician · Jul 24, 2009

Turn off ALL the power Einstein.

Maybe it would have neem a good idea to find the circuit when the fixture was still installed??

If there are only two wires in the light j box (one black, one white) turning off the switch will turn off the power.

If there are more than two wires up there, turn off the circuit somehow.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Gary Swart · Jul 24, 2009

A simple tester is dirty cheap. All they are is a glow light with 2 leads that you touch to the wires or push into a socket. If the light glows, the wires are hot. These are not high class meters or voltage readers, just is there power or not.

ActionDave · Jul 24, 2009

coopns said:
I don't want to buy a "not sure what they are called...tester", is there some other way to test those two wires without getting zapped?

Heavy gloves and the neighbors cat.

Cass · Jul 25, 2009

220/221 said:
If there are only two wires in the light j box (one black, one white) turning off the switch will turn off the power.

Maybe and maybe not...if the neutral was switched by a DIYr instead of the hot it will still be live...always use a meter / tester to test a curcuit, test it on a known live circuit first...ask me how I know...

Thatguy · Jul 25, 2009

Testers/voltmeters (except Wiggys) indicate phantom voltages so instead use an incand. lamp in a socket with pigtail leads.

Cookie · Jul 25, 2009

My dad and I used to take our fingers wet them, and briefly touch a hot wire. I wouldn't recommend this.

Iminaquagmire · Jul 25, 2009

Thatguy said:
Testers/voltmeters (except Wiggys) indicate phantom voltages so instead use an incand. lamp in a socket with pigtail leads.

Not better multimeters. But still a simple tester here will do the job.

Fitter30 · Feb 11, 2022

Every homeowner needs these two tools. A receptacle tester and a non contact voltage tester

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT2PKIT-Non-Contact-Application/dp/B08FPHS6HL/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MUFNFAQOV079&keywords=non+contact+voltage+tester&qid=1644592117&s=hi&sprefix=Non+contact%2Ctools%2C909&sr=1-4

Martina · Feb 23, 2022

ActionDave said:
Heavy gloves and the neighbors cat.

LOL!!! That is hilarious!!!

How can I tell if my wires are live?

Coopns

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Alectrician

DIY Senior Member

Sponsor

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Gary Swart

In the Trades

ActionDave

Electrician

Cass

Plumber

Thatguy

Homeowner

Cookie

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Iminaquagmire

DIY Senior Member

Fitter30

Well-Known Member

Martina

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