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A light's out and you've already determined that a
burned-out bulb isn't the culprit. (And, just to be
thorough, you've also checked the main service panel for a
tripped breaker or a blown fuse.) What do you do next?
Well, first you need to find out if power is actually
getting to the light socket. Assuming it is, your next
step is to verify that the light socket itself is at
fault. Here's how to do both. |
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 Remove the
mounting screws, and carefully lower the socket. To test
for current, touch one probe of the circuit tester to the
screw terminal that's attached to a black wire. Touch the
other probe to the ground screw, the bare copper wire, or
the metal electrical box. Repeat this test with each of
the other screw terminals. If the tester doesn't glow in
any position, there's no power coming to the box. |
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 With the
power off, remove the socket. To test the socket (shown
cut away), attach the clip of a continuity tester to the
hot screw terminal (or the black wire lead), and touch the
probe to the metal tab in the bottom of the socket. The
tester should glow; if it doesn't, the socket is faulty
and will need to be replaced. |
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 Next attach
the clip of the continuity tester to the neutral metal
screw terminal (or the white wire lead), and touch the
probe to the threaded portion of the socket. Again, the
tester should glow. If it doesn't, the socket is faulty
and will need to be replaced. |
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RELATED PROJECTS
Testing a Receptacle for
Power |
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