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How do you test a standard house light socket with a voltage meter?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Carefully! Set your voltage meter to the nearest setting above 120 volt AC. Turn the power on to the socket. Take the lead marked "common" on your meter and touch it to the shell of the socket, that's the metal circular part which the lamp screws into. At the same time take the other "positive" meter lead and touch the tip of it to the brass electrode in the center top of the socket. You should read 110-120 volts. Be REAL careful no to cross your two meter leads or you'll create a dead short and it'll blow up in your face! Wear safety glasses when doing this.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Can I have 120 volts at the light fixture but the light won't turn on I have checked the wiring and changed the light?
If you have 120 v at the wires connecting to the light fixture the light should come on. Its possible the voltage is not getting to the inside of the socket. Carefully measure the voltage between the metal blip at the bottom of the socket and the metal along the sides. Be careful here. Its tight quarters and easy for the voltmeter leads to touch the wrong things. Before doing that I would try a third light bulb. I've gotten them bad right out of the package. If you have voltage inside the socket, then for some reason the light bulb is not screwing far enough down so the bottom touches that metal blip on the bottom of the socket. If you don't have voltage inside the socket then that's your problem and you'll need a new socket.
Does a light fixture spark if you don't have a light bulb in it and turn the power on?
There is no spark between the terminals inside the socket. For a spark to occur, it would have to meet or exceed the "sparkover voltage", however the gap is too large and the voltage is too low (see: Paschen's Law, and breakdown voltage).
What wattage of bulb do you need to fit in a socket that has 120volts?
120 volts is a standard voltage in US for normal house hold electric outlet. , So you can buy from 0 watts to 1000 watts for 120Volts socket . However the bulb you want to buy depend on the Lamp holder , rating of the socket and where the holder is installed, how much light you need etc . Check the max Watts rating on your socket or Lamp and determine the correct Wattage bulb to use. No one can tell you what wattage bulb to use with out looking at your socket or Lamp. The formula for Watts = Volts x Amps Check out the low wattage Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs which will consume very low engergy and save money in a long run http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
How many volts does a light pole produce?
Lamps do not produce electrical energy, they consume it. The voltage at a lamp depends on the voltage of the local supply. That can be switched on or off to each individual map, or groups of lamps if required.
How many volts in an energy efficient light bulb?
The voltage must be adapted to whatever is the standard voltage in your city: either something close to 110V, or something close to 220V.
Can a HID bulb work in a standard light socket?
No. An hid bulb has a transformer (ballast) that produces a certain voltage needed to fire the gas in that lamp.
Can I have 120 volts at the light fixture but the light won't turn on I have checked the wiring and changed the light?
If you have 120 v at the wires connecting to the light fixture the light should come on. Its possible the voltage is not getting to the inside of the socket. Carefully measure the voltage between the metal blip at the bottom of the socket and the metal along the sides. Be careful here. Its tight quarters and easy for the voltmeter leads to touch the wrong things. Before doing that I would try a third light bulb. I've gotten them bad right out of the package. If you have voltage inside the socket, then for some reason the light bulb is not screwing far enough down so the bottom touches that metal blip on the bottom of the socket. If you don't have voltage inside the socket then that's your problem and you'll need a new socket.
Does a light fixture spark if you don't have a light bulb in it and turn the power on?
There is no spark between the terminals inside the socket. For a spark to occur, it would have to meet or exceed the "sparkover voltage", however the gap is too large and the voltage is too low (see: Paschen's Law, and breakdown voltage).
Will a 12 volt light plug into a standard wall outlet?
No, it will cause the bulb to blow. A 12 volt light is DC voltage and your home outlet is AC voltage.
Have no interior lights at all in 81 buick regal what might be the problem?
checked fuses, or checked for voltage to interior light socket?
How can you fix the dome light on a 1995 Ford Contour?
Assuming you have already confirmed the fuse and the bulb are in working order, you probably have a poor connection on either the positive or negative side of the bulb socket. Using a voltmeter check for voltage in the light socket. Make sure you pick up ground somewhere besides the socket. If you have no voltage, there is a break in the power circut, if you have 12 or more volts, leave the positive probe in place and probe the other contact in the socket. You should have 12 volts again. If not, remove the dome light assembly, clean the ground, and reassemble.
What are CFLs and LEDs?
A compact fluorescent light (CFL) is a fluorescent light that is manufactured in the approximate size and shape of a standard incandescent lamp. It's got an electronic ballast (unlike the standard fluorescent lamp tube which uses a heavy wire wound ballast), and it screws into a socket and performs on the standard line voltage like that aforementioned incandescent lamp. The light emitting diode (LED) is a solid state device that converts electricity into light without heating a filament like the incandescent lamp, or ionizing a gas like the fluorescent light does.
What are CFL and LED lights?
A compact fluorescent light (CFL) is a fluorescent light that is manufactured in the approximate size and shape of a standard incandescent lamp. It's got an electronic ballast (unlike the standard fluorescent lamp tube which uses a heavy wire wound ballast), and it screws into a socket and performs on the standard line voltage like that aforementioned incandescent lamp. The light emitting diode (LED) is a solid state device that converts electricity into light without heating a filament like the incandescent lamp, or ionizing a gas like the fluorescent light does.
I have a 1996 GMC Sierra PU and the drivers side rear brake light and turn signal does not work. All others work . Replaced the bulb flasher cleaned contacts. Is there history of a bad socket?
It's 14 years old....I'd say it's done a fairly good job. They don't make these like they used to. To make sure it's the socket use a multimeter and test for voltage. Probe the lines going into the socket. If you have voltage it's probably the socket. You can also probe the contacts of the socket. If you have no voltage there but do have it at the back side then it's definitely the socket.
What wattage of bulb do you need to fit in a socket that has 120volts?
120 volts is a standard voltage in US for normal house hold electric outlet. , So you can buy from 0 watts to 1000 watts for 120Volts socket . However the bulb you want to buy depend on the Lamp holder , rating of the socket and where the holder is installed, how much light you need etc . Check the max Watts rating on your socket or Lamp and determine the correct Wattage bulb to use. No one can tell you what wattage bulb to use with out looking at your socket or Lamp. The formula for Watts = Volts x Amps Check out the low wattage Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs which will consume very low engergy and save money in a long run http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
How many volts does a light pole produce?
Lamps do not produce electrical energy, they consume it. The voltage at a lamp depends on the voltage of the local supply. That can be switched on or off to each individual map, or groups of lamps if required.
How many volts in an energy efficient light bulb?
The voltage must be adapted to whatever is the standard voltage in your city: either something close to 110V, or something close to 220V.
