What kind of circuit tester do I need?

[rgG]

I have one of those single bulb pull chain activated light fixtures mounted just above the door, in my pantry. The problem is, it won't turn on, even though the bulb is good. I think I had to replace it once before, but it went out while on, so I could tell when I had the right breaker. Now, since it won't turn on, I won't be able to tell when I have it shut off at the electrical panel.

What kind of circuit tester do I need to be able to tell if the power has been cut to the fixture, as I don't want to get a nasty shock while changing out the fixture.

There are a couple of outlets near the light, but I have no idea if they are on the same circuit or not. I looked at the panel and there isn't a label just for that one light in the pantry, no surprise there. So, I will turn off what I think are the couple of breakers it might be on, but what type of tester do I need to test the wiring, once I get the fixture unscrewed from the wall?

Any help to keep me from electrocuting myself, will be greatly appreciated.

[OWC Jamie]

DMM Vac


or best yet:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Vol...ctrical%7c&gclid=Cj0KEQiAlae1BRCU2qaz2__t9IIBEiQAKRGDVUNRcYinc6h_sAr7RbMHLOyyHriBJMKGGroOEWWue9QaAoUI8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Rick-o]

I have several similar to this one. I used them out in the factories during demolition. If I tore out a wall with exposed romex, a quick touch with one of these would tell me if the wire was hot.

Works fine around the house too!

http://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Tester-Pro..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454033018&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=circuit+tester&psc=1


EDIT: ROMEX, spell check! NOT rolex!!

[rgG]

Rick-o wrote:
I have several similar to this one. I used them out in the factories during demolition. If I tore out a wall with exposed romex, a quick touch with one of these would tell me if the wire was hot.

Works fine around the house too!

http://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Tester-Pro..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454033018&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=circuit+tester&psc=1


EDIT: ROMEX, spell check! NOT rolex!!

How would I actually use it, in the fixture, since I can't turn the fixture on? Would I touch the probe end to one of the wires, after I take the fixture off the wall? If so, which wire do I touch it to?

[Rick-o]

rgG wrote:
[quote=Rick-o]
I have several similar to this one. I used them out in the factories during demolition. If I tore out a wall with exposed romex, a quick touch with one of these would tell me if the wire was hot.

Works fine around the house too!

http://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Tester-Pro..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454033018&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=circuit+tester&psc=1


EDIT: ROMEX, spell check! NOT rolex!!

How would I actually use it, in the fixture, since I can't turn the fixture on? Would I touch the probe end to one of the wires, after I take the fixture off the wall? If so, which wire do I touch it to?
Check out the link at Amazon. In the customer reviews, there are a few short videos showing how it works. All you really need to do is unscrew the bulb and get close. It will beep and flash if the circuit is hot.

[OWC Jamie]

[rgG]

Rick-o wrote:
[quote=rgG]
[quote=Rick-o]
I have several similar to this one. I used them out in the factories during demolition. If I tore out a wall with exposed romex, a quick touch with one of these would tell me if the wire was hot.

Works fine around the house too!

http://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Tester-Pro..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454033018&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=circuit+tester&psc=1


EDIT: ROMEX, spell check! NOT rolex!!

How would I actually use it, in the fixture, since I can't turn the fixture on? Would I touch the probe end to one of the wires, after I take the fixture off the wall? If so, which wire do I touch it to?
Check out the link at Amazon. In the customer reviews, there are a few short videos showing how it works. All you really need to do is unscrew the bulb and get close. It will beep and flash if the circuit is hot.
Thanks! I was looking at the reviews at Amazon, but hadn't looked at the vids. If all I have to do is get close, it should be easy. I looked and HD has one very similar, so I can probably pick one up when I get the new fixture.

[pdq]

Well, if you're sure the bulb is good, and it's not coming on, that means the power is not getting to the bulb. So your fixture is broken, or the power is not getting to the fixture.

I guess my do-it-yourself homeowner approach would be to remove the screws to the fixture, and pull it down to see if one of the wires has come loose. If not, the problem is further on. That's my "tester".

I dunno- I've been briefly shocked by 110 enough times without injury that I may be overly casual about such things. If you do accidentally short circuit the thing, there will be a bright crack!, but that'll pop the breaker, and then you'll know what circuit it is.

In retrospect, I may not be the best person for advice in this regard though. (!)

[rgG]

pdq wrote:
Well, if you're sure the bulb is good, and it's not coming on, that means the power is not getting to the bulb. So your fixture is broken, or the power is not getting to the fixture.

I guess my do-it-yourself homeowner approach would be to remove the screws to the fixture, and pull it down to see if one of the wires has come loose. If not, the problem is further on. That's my "tester".

I dunno- I've been briefly shocked by 110 enough times without injury that I may be overly casual about such things. If you do accidentally short circuit the thing, there will be a bright crack!, but that'll pop the breaker, and then you'll know what circuit it is.

In retrospect, I may not be the best person for advice in this regard though. (!)

I am 99% sure that the little pull chain thing that turns it on is where it is broken. I had this happen once before, the switch just goes bad, so that pulling the chain doesn't complete the circuit. This fixture gets turned on/off a lot, so it is no wonder they just wear out, after a while.

[OWC Jamie]

if the bulb doesn't come on it's a bad switch, bad wire nut connection or no voltage present or substitution of junk bulbs which 99.99% rgg can do a simple substitution..
safest way to take it apart to look and test is make sure Vac is off with the sniffer