How to Use a Voltage Tester

A voltage tester should be part of every home owner’s tool box. This unit cost me about 10 dollars. If you are adding, removing, working in the presence of electrical wiring, or remodeling your home, you should have a voltage tester handy. A voltage tester is a simple tool to use when testing for or detecting the presence of voltage (voltage potential). It is simple to use, a great trouble shooting devise, and a safety instrument.

This article demonstrates the use a simple tester. There are many types of voltage testers. Some are a bit more elaborate with extra functions that may test for current or other measurements. The more elaborate units are mostly used by professionals. However the simple voltage tester is sufficient for a homeowner.

The most common use for a voltage tester is to check voltage at an electrical outlet or a light switch. Turn the tester on. This tester has a button on the back end. Press the button that turns the tester on, there will normally be a buzz sound that indicates audible the the unit is on. The testing point on the tester (the probe) will turn green. Touch the probe to outlet socket of wiring in question, if voltage is present the probe will flash red and put out an audible alarm.

If you forget to turn off the tester when finished with it, it will normally turn off after about a minute, this preserves the batteries. When the tester is turning off it will alarm a few times to let you know it is becoming inoperable. Be sure to verify the tester is on when using again. It is easy to think it is still on when putting it down, or sticking it on your pocket for a moment.

See video for how to use the voltage tester.