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In this article you will learn the safest, most efficient way to find the breaker for a light. Often throughout you DIY or electrical career you will need to fix a light or light switch. If you are working by yourself, finding the correct breaker can cause a lot of trips back and forth from your breaker box. Here you will learn how to eliminate those unnecessary trips and only make one trip. In this one trip you will now be 100% accurate.
*Disclaimer*
Before we get started there are a couple things we should discuss. First, all electrical repairs should be done by a licensed electrician. Second, your safety is not worth saving money or asking for help. Finally, if you are not comfortable completing this task after reading this article, please contact a licensed electrician.
Tools Needed
There are 3 tools listed below. These three tools are absolutely necessary when finding a breaker for a light. These tools allow you to find the breaker for a light in the safest and most efficient way possible.
The first tool you are going to need is a reliable non-contact voltage detector. Like the one pictured below. This is your first line of defense when performing any electrical repair.
The second tool that you are going to need is a circuit breaker finder with alligator clip attachments. These 2 pieces can be bought as a kit. We recommend the one pictured below.
The final tool you will need is a simple flat head screwdriver. We always use an 11 in 1 multi-tool. This is because there are multiple bits of different sizes and shapes all in one tool.
Steps to find the breaker for a light
Once you have all your tools together, you are ready to begin your search. We believe you will be relieved once you see how simple this process is.
Step One
Using your flathead screwdriver, remove the screws holding the faceplate on the light switch.
Step Two
Using your non-contact voltage detector, identify which screw on the switch has voltage. There may be multiple screws that cause the tool to beep. This is ok.
Step Three
Connect the alligator clip attachment to the transmitter part of your circuit breaker finder. Then connect the black alligator clip to the green screw on the side of the light switch.
Step Four
Very carefully connect the red alligator clip to any one of the screws the caused the non-contact voltage detector to beep. If there was only one, this is the one that you connect to.
Step Five
Once connected, verify that there is a light illuminated on the transmitter. If the light is illuminated, make your way to your breaker panel with your circuit breaker finder receiver in hand.
Step Six
Now, standing at your breaker panel, turn the receiver on and begin to slowly pass the green glowing tip across the breakers, lightly touching each as you move. Once you complete the first path leave the receiver on and make another pass.
Step Seven
As you completed the second pass you should have noticed that one particular breaker caused the red light on the back of the receiver to illuminate and made the receiver beep. Return the tip to that circuit breaker and turn the breaker off. Once the circuit breaker is off, the receiver should no longer show a red light.
Final Step
Now that you have turned off the circuit breaker, identified by your circuit breaker finder, return to the light switch in question. Once there, turn on your non-contact voltage detector and move the tip through the switchbox thoroughly. If this tool doesn't beep and turn red, then you have found the correct breaker and can proceed with whatever repair you need to do.
Where To Buy Tools Needed
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