Electrical and Lighting: How do you test a light fixture

Forum: Electrical and Lighting Replies: 10, Views: 77 Print -

Author Content MissJestr Kingman, AZ (Zone 7a) January 05, 2009 05:24 PM Post #5970205 Hello. I live in a really old trailer on a ranch, say 1970'ish. Anyway the light quit working in the bathroom and I changed bulbs thinking I had blown a bulb and it still does not work. I have two if the same kind of lights in my bedroom that have not worked since I moved it. So I am wondering if it is the fixtures and want to know how to test for it. Thanks in advance. JuneyBug Dongducheon CpCasey South Korea (Zone 4b) January 11, 2009 06:26 PM Post #5993660 Just bumping this as I need the answer too. :-) jkochan Chandler, AZ (Zone 9b) January 13, 2009 12:29 PM Post #6000631 The easiest (and safest) way to test fixtures is to buy a screw-in adapter at a hardware store or a big box store. It looks like the base of a light bulb on one end and a plug outlet on the other. Screw it into the fixture and plug a lamp or radio (no blow dryers please)you know is working into that. Turn on the switch and if it doesn't work, you need to look deeper into the problem. II think this is safer than poking around inside a socket with a meter with the power on. MissJestr Kingman, AZ (Zone 7a) January 13, 2009 01:24 PM Post #6000829 I have one of those, I will try it when I get home.. Thanks Jkochan.. Bubba_MoCity Missouri City, TX January 13, 2009 01:34 PM Post #6000900 It could be the switch or a circuit breaker / fuse, too. Recently replaced a duplex outlet that completely crumbled - it was probably 30 years old in a commercial establishment. When examining the pieces it was easy to see why it appeared to have no power - one side had fallen off. Probably hit or kicked a few times too many. I have a small tester, a nice multimeter that I always use first, and a circuit tester which allows me to locate which fuse / circuit breaker controls the questionable switch, light socket, or receptacle. JuneyBug Dongducheon CpCasey South Korea (Zone 4b) January 13, 2009 01:45 PM Post #6000940 light fixtures are pretty easy to replace, too. There are usually only 3 wires and most of the time it is easy enough to match white to white, black to black. green to bare or green. If you do it DON"T forget to turn the electric off. And bring a flashlight. MissJestr Kingman, AZ (Zone 7a) January 13, 2009 06:53 PM Post #6002044 Funny you should mention circuit breaker / fuse cause I have been popping a few of them lately. I have been loosing lights in the living room or kitchen only to find out when I go to the fuse box there is one tripped. I am wondering if I should just replace them. How long does a circuit breaker / fuse normally last? Thanks again... JuneyBug Dongducheon CpCasey South Korea (Zone 4b) January 13, 2009 07:54 PM Post #6002310 The 2 gfci ones that do my outside, kitchen and baths only lasted 15 years. Then they started tripping A LOT. Hubby "got with " an electrician at work and found out how to replace them himself, so we did it for $65 each. The normal kinds are 25 years old and are ok still. jkochan Chandler, AZ (Zone 9b) January 14, 2009 10:05 AM Post #6004088 Fuses and circuit breakers trip for a reason. They just don't "go bad" all of a sudden. There might be a loose connection somewhere at an outlet or switch or at the breaker itself. Loose connections can heat up and cause a fire. If you haven't started using any new appliances or doing anything out of the ordinary and your circuit breakers are tripping, I would recommend having a certified, licensed, bonded electrician give it the once over. I guarantee it will be cheaper than a house fire. crackerlady2007 Hildale, UT May 29, 2009 09:39 AM Post #6613372 I agree with jkochan. Call an electrician. JuneyBug Dongducheon CpCasey South Korea (Zone 4b) May 29, 2009 10:20 AM Post #6613512 My problem was caused by the age of the circuit breaker and a workman that kept blowing it (20+ times in one day with his taped-together-tools) After that, the circuit couldn't handle enough power to run the pellet stove, though it had worked fine with just lamps during the summer. The electrician at Hubby's workplace said that was a common reason for replacement. Something about blowing it multiple times ruins it.

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