How to Detect Currents in Light Bulb Sockets

Current, measured in amperage (or amps), is a measure of the flow of electrons in a circuit. These moving electrons provide power to electrical devices such as light bulbs. Broken components in an electrical circuit can interrupt this flow and keep those lights dark. When you flip a light switch and nothing happens, you should check whether the switch is receiving current at all. If it isn't, changing the bulb will not solve the problem.

Testing With a Fresh Bulb

• 1

  Open a fresh package of light bulbs.

• 2

  Find a working light socket elsewhere in the house.

• 3

  Remove the bulb from the working socket and screw in the new bulb to test it.

• 4

  Screw the working bulb into the socket in question. If it lights up, there is a current in the socket.

Testing With a Continuity Tester

• 1

  Buy a circuit continuity tester. This small device has two metal probes that can be touched to the positive, negative or ground contacts of an electrical socket or outlet. In live circuits, the current registers by lighting up a small light. You can also test unpowered circuits, as the battery in the continuity tester will pass a small amount of power through the circuit.

• 2

  Check that the circuit is active at the house's breaker panel. Look for a switch marked for the room the light is in, and make sure it is set to "On."

• 3

  Unscrew the screws holding the socket into its electrical box using a screwdriver with a tip that matches the shape of the screw.

• 4

  Touch one of the continuity tester's probes to the contact where the black wire attaches to the socket and the other probe to the bare ground wire or the metal electrical box. Look for the light that will indicate current passing through.

• 5

  Repeat the test on all other contacts on the socket. If the light doesn't illuminate, there is no power coming to the box.

• 6

  Turn off the circuit at the breaker panel and remove the light socket by unscrewing the contact screws and gently removing the wires.

• 7

  Touch one probe contact to the gold terminal on the light socket and the other to the metal prong at the bottom of the light socket. Repeat with the silver terminal. If the continuity tester shows no current, the light socket is broken and needs to be replaced.