How to Check for Electrical Current
Checking for an electrical current is a must-know for anyone who does home improvement. Knowing whether the voltage running through your outlets is there or not will help you safely do any electrical work and non-electrical work that may invade its space. Thankfully, this test is very simple and very quick.
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Instructions
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Choose a voltage tester for your needs. The two most popular types of testers are the simple pen-style voltage tester and the dual prong tester with a voltage gauge. Both will tell you whether there is an electrical current at a given outlet. However, only the second will help you test how many volts are passing through.
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Inspect the tester if you have not used it in a while. Ensure that the batteries, if required, are fresh. Also make sure the silver tips, which you will insert into the outlet, are clean and corrosion free. These steps will help ensure that you do not get a false reading.
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Locate the outlet you wish to test and insert the prong end of a pen tester into one of the vertical slots on the socket. If you use a two prong tester, place one in each of the vertical slots. Either way, make sure you are only touching the safe, rubber-coated ends of these and not the metallic prongs.
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Monitor the tester. A pen style tester will beep or flash, depending on the model, when an electrical current has been detected. With a more sophisticated needle-based voltage gauge, there may be lights and noise but voltage will certainly be represented when the needle moves.
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Double check that your tester works properly if you do not initially find a current. Test the voltage on an outlet you are positive has a current. If your tester works, then you can be sure the other is dead.
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