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Caution:
Read our advisory about working with electricity
You can
test an outlet to determine if current is present with a current
tester. Always test your test equipment for proper operation before use. If you don't have a current tester, simply use a shop
light or other convenient electrical device. Start by making
sure the tester is working and plug it into a circuit you
know is working. Note
that if you need to test a 220v outlet, use only a device
rated for that voltage.
Be sure
to test both outlets, sometimes only one of the two will work.
To test whether the outlet is properly grounded, follow this
link to the article on grounding.
If there
is no current, make certain that the outlet isn't controlled
by a switch. Try all nearby switches and check whether the
tester lights up.
Another
possibility, if there is no current, is that the fuse has
blown or the circuit breaker has tripped. Click on the links
below for more information on checking fuses
and circuit breakers.
If the
circuit breakers were not tripped, the outlet may be in a
circuit with a GFCI outlet (ground
fault circuit interrupt). If the GFCI outlet has been tripped,
it may cause other outlets on the same circuit to lose current.
Look for an outlet that has a "Test" and "Reset"
button. They are often located near water such as in a bathroom
or kitchen. If the outlet has been tripped, unplug anything
that may have caused the fault and then press the "Reset"
button.
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