prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 5:16:31 GMT -8
How can I test electrical fixtures before I put them in the trailer? I salvaged a few Im excited about but need to test them and then rewire/fix them if they dont work. I need step by step "testing electrical fixtures for dummies"
Thsnks.
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Post by bigbill on Mar 17, 2016 5:39:36 GMT -8
The very first thing I would do is flex the wires. If insulation cracks or shows any signs of deterioration then rewiring becomes mandatory. From there all switches and controls should be checked for proper operation, I would suggest using an ohm meter for these tests as it will show circuit open and closing events with the power disconnected. This is way to lengthy to detail here you to acquire a book on proper testing of electrical components to insure your safety. A light fixture is simple to test, appliances and fans are a little more complicated. The most important thing is have all power disconnected .
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Mar 17, 2016 6:13:31 GMT -8
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 17, 2016 7:01:25 GMT -8
Hmm I usually just connect the wires to a raw end of an extension cord, and plug it in! I know ...shocking behaviour! Big Bill.. why am I still on the planet?
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 13:40:33 GMT -8
I have a nice Craftsman multimeter, just don't know how to use it. I'll do some reading tonight. I salvaged four light fixtures that I really like and I want to see if they will work.
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 17, 2016 13:42:47 GMT -8
Also, trailer porch lights - they just plug into the side of the trailer? Like there is a giant plug right there. I had no idea.
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Post by bigbill on Mar 18, 2016 5:25:12 GMT -8
Hmm I usually just connect the wires to a raw end of an extension cord, and plug it in! I know ...shocking behaviour! Big Bill.. why am I still on the planet? She said as her trailer and house burned to the ground because she had just been electrocuted and couldn't call the fire department.
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Mar 18, 2016 5:44:27 GMT -8
Awwwww... c'mon. It's only 110 volts.
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Post by danrhodes on Mar 18, 2016 6:03:58 GMT -8
Awwwww... c'mon. It's only 110 volts. Yeah... Plug it into a power strip and use the switch to test it.
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 18, 2016 6:49:40 GMT -8
? Ill try the multimeter first
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Mar 18, 2016 9:02:16 GMT -8
My dad knew an electrician who tested light fixtures by licking his finger and sticking it right in. I wouldn't recommend it, though, they were tougher back then.
The Ohms setting on your multimeter will tell you if a wire or circuit is broken or not. If there is a break or the switch is off, your meter will probably read "infinity" (or maybe the sideways "8" math symbol for infinity) or some astronomically high number of ohms, or perhaps even some form of "off-the-scale-high". Turning the switch on and off should go from infinity (off) to some value of ohms that is dependent on what you're testing. A toaster would read pretty high because of the heating elements (still nowhere near infinity though), a plain piece of wire should read close to zero.
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Post by bigbill on Mar 18, 2016 15:04:02 GMT -8
See I got it started now look at all the help you are getting But be careful.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Mar 18, 2016 18:37:54 GMT -8
I inspect them physically for damage, then operate the switch to see if it "feels ok". Tie the leads together, then insert ohmmeter probe into socket-one to shell and other to center tang. Should read 0 ohms with switch on, infinite when off. Then touch a probe to the leads (still tied together) and other to any exposed metal on fixture. Should be infinite.
I skip the ohmmeter and just wirenut a cord end on and plug it in.
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prettywoman0172
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Post by prettywoman0172 on Mar 20, 2016 14:21:50 GMT -8
Tie the leads together? How? What are leads? And where do I put the multimeter things? In the socket? Do I put a lightbulb in the socket? I studied physics and calculus...I sucked at electricity and magnetism though.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Mar 20, 2016 19:51:39 GMT -8
Tie the leads together? How? What are leads? And where do I put the multimeter things? In the socket? Do I put a lightbulb in the socket? I studied physics and calculus...I sucked at electricity and magnetism though. Sorry, the leads are the 2 power suppy wires. Usually you'll have one black and one white wire. Older fixtures rarely will have a ground wire, which is green or bare copper. So by temporarily twisting and connecting the black and white wires and touching one end of the ohmmeter to the center metal piece in the bottom and one to the screw shell (bulb removed), you are checking for continuity in the wiring and switch. 0 ohms tells you the wiring and switch are good. Now touch one end of your ohmmeter to the fixture body, if its metal, and leave the other lead on the socket shell, center tang, or the twisted leads. Iyou are testing for a short circuit. You should have infinite ohms. Clear as mud, right?
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