Checking an electrical outlet need not be shocking

Q: How do you find out if an outlet isn’t working? — Jane in Providence, R.I.

A: A voltage tester is your best friend in this situation, allowing you to test a receptacle for electric current without having to stick your tongue in the socket (something I really don’t recommend). This small sensor is inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware or home-improvement store.

The voltage tester has two prongs, each attached to wires that lead back into the tool’s plastic casing. These wires are attached to a little light on the other end of the tester, which only comes on when an electric current is traveling through the wires.

With electricity to the outlet still on, carefully insert a prong into each of the vertical slots of the outlet. If the little light on the other end of the tester comes on, then electricity is reaching the outlet. Test the second receptacle too, to make sure it isn’t broken.

If the tester’s light doesn’t come on, check the fuse box. If the fuse is blown or the breaker switch is in the OFF position, replace the fuse or switch the breaker to ON and test the outlet receptacles again. If the tester lights up on both outlets, great — plug your appliances back in and resume normal operations. If they don’t light up, but the circuit is definitely on, test the tester just to make sure — try it in an outlet you definitely know is working. If it’s working, but the outlet isn’t, call an electrician to fix the outlet.

What else is the tester good for? Besides being handy for checking an outlet before spending money on an electrician, the voltage tester is a crucial safety step for anyone taking on electrical work, from do-it-yourselfers to professionals.

Voltage testers come in different shapes and sizes for different needs — for an inexperienced home dweller, the small plastic tester with a light is perfect; professionals often carry a tester with a voltage meter attached, giving them a better picture of the electrical situation.

In any case, the tester is an essential part of your tool kit.