How to Test a Circuit Breaker with a Voltage Tester

A voltage tester is a handy gadget that can determine if electricity is flowing through a plug or circuit breaker. It lets you know by lighting up or even making a sound, depending on the model. Using a voltage tester to test a circuit breaker is an easy task, so there’s no need to call an electrician for the job. Simply follow the steps below.

Step 1 – Safety First

It’s essential to take safety measures when testing a circuit breaker, because you’re dealing with a potentially dangerous live current of electricity. Wear rubber shoes, which won’t conduct electricity, and ensure that there is no water in the immediate environment.

Step 2 – Make Sure the Tester Works

In order to avoid any accidents, in can pay off to use your voltage tester on something that you know for certain has an electrical current to make sure that the tester works. If the voltage tester doesn’t light up, it is  faulty and you should obtain a new one before proceeding.

Step 3 – Turn the Power Off

Although the electricity needs to be running when you test for voltage, you should switch off the juice before opening the service panel as a precaution. There should be an on/off switch labeled “main” at the top or bottom of your circuit breaker box; switch it to “off.”

Step 4 – Open the Service Panel

Your circuit breakers are concealed behind a small metal panel. Use a screwdriver to remove the 4 to 6 screws holding the panel in place in order to access the breakers.

Step 5 - Turn On the Power

Now that you can see the circuit breakers, observe them carefully before using the voltage tester. On either side of the breakers, you’ll see ground bars with copper wires and insulated wires. Also take note of the bare area where the circuit breakers are plugged in, because this spot will be live with electricity when you switch the power back on. You should avoid touching it at all costs.

Now that you’re familiar with the territory, restore the power.

Step 6 – Test the Voltage

Your voltage tester should have a black lead and a red lead. Touch the red lead to the terminal screw on the circuit breaker you’d like to test. Touch the black lead to the ground bar on the side of the breaker. If there is voltage, your voltage tester should light up; if it doesn’t, that means the breaker isn’t working.

Step 7 – Repeat

It may be the case that your circuit breakers are not clearly labeled, or you’re not sure which breaker you should be testing. In this case, you may want to test all of your circuit breakers as a precaution. Repeat step 5 for each circuit breaker.

Step 8 – Clean Up

When you’ve finished testing your circuit breakers with the voltage tester, make sure to replace the service panel, because it can be dangerous to leave the breakers exposed. If your breakers weren’t correctly labeled, this may also be a good opportunity to test and label them for future reference. Using your screwdriver, reaffix the service panel to the wall.