Testing A Wall Light Switch

Your switch may be attached to a frame by screws which you ll need to take out or it may just be sitting up against the wall.

Testing a wall light switch.

Pull the light switch from the wall. How to troubleshoot light switches and replace it can be easy and d i y project. Set the switch to the off position and touch both terminals on the side that held the wires. Testing a three way light switch.

Testing any type of light switch takes a few basic tools. Test the ground wires in the wall switch with a two lead circuit tester which has a red and a black lead running into black body with a small light. The tester light should not come on. Keep the circuit breaker flipped off for this.

Then flip the switch to the on position and touch both terminals with a probe from the tester. Tools for testing light switches. This type of tester has two lead wires that uses the battery voltage of the tester to test a circuit which in this example is the circuit components of a switch. And for making the test you ll need either a continuity tester or a.

You ll need screwdrivers usually one flat head and one phillips for removing the switch and disconnecting the switch wires. Once you ve confirmed that there s no electrical current in your switch you are ready to remove it. This type will not work properly when used for a light switch. The switch is good if the continuity tester lights.

They have two leads and a light the lights up when current is sensed. A continuity tester can be used to test the light switch while the circuit is off or the switch has been removed. A three way light switch allows you to control a light at two different places. Use extreme caution when performing this test it will only work when the power to the switch is turned on.

You also need a non contact voltage tester to check the switch and wires for power before touching them. The switch is composed of a hot wire and two traveler wires that are hooked into.