Need electricians help, how to use volt meter

[Cajun Blake]

Long story short, light switch in bathroom doesn't work. I thought it was the breaker so I went outside to the breaker box and reset everything. Still no lights

Pulled out light switch on left doesn't work so I replaced it with a brand new one. Still no lights.

Light Switch on right side works fine, no problems

I have a borrowed volt meter from my neighbor, and have no clue what to set the dial on

I know I can use the probes to touch the attached wires to see if electricity is going to the switch.

Do I leave electricity on ?

Turn off breaker outside ?

What setting do I turn the digimeter dial to check for electricity ?

Any suggestions ?

I changed the bulb , replaced with new one and left light switch still not working

Signed ,

Left in the dark

[avidhunter75]

That meter should work on the setting you have it on, if it will read from 0-750.

With the breaker on, and switch in off position---
touch one lead to the hot on the switch (should be the same wire going to other switch, if on same circuit) and the other lead to the ground (bare copper wires) or to the neutrals (all white wires under wire nut) and take a reading on both terminals of switch.
If you have 110-120 volts on one terminal this means you have power going to switch.
If you have power to switch, then turn switch to on position and check both terminals again.
If you have 110-120 volts on both terminals, your problem isn't the switch.

[denowt]

^^^
What he said.
If you do not have 110-120V at the hot input to switch, take panel off of breaker box and touch 1 lead to the screw that is holding wire on breaker and other lead to ground/neutral wire. You should have 110-120 there, if not, your breaker is bad.

Tell what your results are and we can tell you what to do next.

[Cajun Blake]

Right switch is definitely hot , meter reads 137 ... Does that sound right ?

Left switch reads 0

I was using probes to touch copper twisted wires , and the metal parts on side of each light switch where black wires attach into switch housing


Guess I need to replace left switch again or make sure the connected wires are pushed in deep enough and making contact

Will also go outside tomorrow and check breaker box fuses

[gumbl3]

Turn off the power.. twist the two black wires together on the switch.. turn the power back on.. if the light works you have a bad switch, if not you have a bad light or a short in the line (which I doubt)..

I'm assuming other loads on that circuit are working

[TxSuperDad]

Are you sure you hooked it up right Blake

Go eat some boudin and try again. Cajuns work better on full stomachs

[rubydog]

I just repaired the same problem where the electrician used the push in option on the back instead of the side screws. No bueno... I had him do it the old fashion way and use the screw...

[Cajun Blake]

Every light and power source in the house works except the left side light switch

Will mess with it again tomorrow during daylight hours when I can see

I don't know jack about electricity but I respect the heck out it

I'll have to post up more results tomorrow after 5pm


Edit .... As Mr Dunn noted, I'll try the side screw attaching method mañana

[TxSuperDad]

Every light and power source in the house works except the left side light switch

Will mess with it again tomorrow during daylight hours when I can see

I don't know jack about electricity but I respect the heck out it

I'll have to post up more results tomorrow after 5pm


Edit .... As Mr Dunn noted, I'll try the side screw attaching method mañana

I strongly suggest using the side screw mounts as well. If you cant figure it out let me know. I work for food

[Rockjock]

Are all the outlets in the bathroom working?

I have seen lights on the same circuit as a GFI outlet. You may have blow a GFI and just need to reset the button on that outlet.

[Cajun Blake]

Are all the outlets in the bathroom working?

I have seen lights on the same circuit as a GFI outlet. You may have blow a GFI and just need to reset the button on that outlet.

All outlets work as I even depressed the reset button several times ... No dice

[denowt]

Right switch is definitely hot , meter reads 137 ... Does that sound right ?

Left switch reads 0

Shouldn't be quite that high, but may be due to meter on 700v setting, move it over 1 to the 250v and it should be a little more accurate. But at this point, all you really need to know is hot or not. Sounds like it is not hot. Now just need to figure out why.

Are all the outlets in the bathroom working?

I have seen lights on the same circuit as a GFI outlet. You may have blow a GFI and just need to reset the button on that outlet.

Good call, I didn't even think about that.

[denowt]

All outlets work as I even depressed the reset button several times ... No dice

Did you actually plug something into all breakers? fan, radio, hair dryer, or test with meter.

If you cut off breaker, what else goes off, outlets, lights, etc.?

I take it the 2 switches do not share the same hot? ie. there's not a wire connecting them together?
Most switches in the same outlet box are usually sharing the hot wire. Not sure why these wouldn't be.

[Bonesplitter]

Yup, turn off the power and wear regular leather gloves, that will protect you from 120v just in case. Move the wires from the stab ins on the back of the switch to the side terminals (screws). If that doesn't work, we will go deeper!

[Smart]

Grab a butter knife and stick it in........nope .....on second thought ....don't do that..