Reddit reviews Klein Tools NCVT-2 Voltage Tester, Non-Contact Dual Range Voltage Tester Pen for Standard and Low Voltage, with 3 m Drop Protection

Shut the power off at the breaker, pull the switch out and take a picture. Also this before you do anything.

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Protection-Klein-Tools-NCVT-2/dp/B004FXJOQO

Essentially you put it next to a suspected AC voltage and if it's present it lights up.

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO

As others have stated that's an equipment ground plug so it shouldn't be any problem but to be safe when removing any broken cord prongs from an outlet.

1. Turn off the power. Use a handy plugin or induction tester to ensure the power is off.plug in tester induction tester
   
   
2. keep both feet squarely on the ground and wear rubber soles. Do not take a knee or touch the ground with any other part of your body. Do not lean against the wall in any way. Do not touch any exposed metal surfaces, counter tops or sinks.
   
   
3. tuck one hand behind your back and use the other hand to pull out the object with a pair of pliers.
   
   When in doubt hire a professional. Safety first.

You can chase where they go with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO

Make sure the switch is on.

I think every engineer who works around electricity needs one of these: Klein non contact voltage tester.

From one DIYer to another, if you don't already have one of these, you should get one.

your local hardware store will have a non-contact voltage tester like this one you could jerry-rig a tester, or a couple other less than safe ways to do it, but just spend the $10 on a cheap non-contact tester.

some electrical stuff is really complicated, but as long as a homeowner's first steps are

1. turn off the circuit breaker
   
   
2. use a voltage tester to be 100% sure the electricity is off
   
   then it's perfectly safe after that

Assuming you're doing basic AC electrical work, then pick up a non-contact voltage detector. It helps take the guess work out of figuring out if a box or wire is live.

> TLDR: Get a multimeter and test the wires yourself.

Or at a minimum get something like this Non-Contact Voltage Tester. I find it much easier when working in tight spaces.

The sub panel being hooked to a 50A breaker on the main panel is normal. Someone installed a 50A sub panel. This is great for you as you can shut off the entire sub panel by fliping the 50A breaker in the main panel. That way you do not have to worry about anything being live when you install a new circuit. Buy an electrical tester pen first just to make sure the sub panel is off.

You are correct about how to install the new 15A breaker, and it will need 14 gauge wire. You need to make sure its the same type of breaker that is currently in your sub panel as there is more then one kind.

As to the white wire to the copper bus unless someone else posts a good reason for that its wrong. I would pay someone to inspect your sub panel just to be sure there are not other wiring issues.

No idea about the helmet. As far as tools go

non contact voltage tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FXJOQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_XxzgAb8RCT4Y9

Works great for double checking the utilities are off or isolating a particular circuit if you don't want to leave someone's house entirely without power

4 in 1 screwdriver
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009V431/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_vzzgAbASETAEA

For screwing and unscrewing things

Reasonable sized channel locks
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_ZAzgAbD9C5JND

For a while I had vice grips instead of these but found with gloves on they were a little too clunky to manipulate. Works great for grabbing and loosening like gas connections to dryers

And this rescue tool dealio
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057UMN3A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_ZCzgAbQY3EK8Z

Works as your battery cutter, prying tool, gas shutoff and a spanner. I cut one of those little locks that secures piv valves and commercial sprinkler systems with this thing before my partner could make it back with bolt cutters so that alone was worth half the price

Klein Tools 92906 ProPack 6 Apprentice Tool Set for Trade Professionals (6-Piece) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EKONLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Qm5EAbQVA3JFH

That’s a good deal. It has lineman pliers, diagonal cutters, needle nose, wire strippers, and flat/ Phillips screwdrivers.

Screwdriver and Nut Driver 11-in-1 Multi Tool, Cushion Grip Handle, Industrial Strength Bits Klein Tools 32500 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015SBILG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yp5EAbSKE4D2A

This is a good all purpose screwdriver to carry around

Klein Tools NCVT-2 Dual Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FXJOQO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qq5EAbTTZ8GYW

This is a non contact voltage tester and it might just save you some pain/your life

Channellock 440 12-Inch Tongue and Groove Plier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBCU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xr5EAbWNKDP5C

You should probably get 2 pairs of these. It’ll help you twist on couplings and stuff

Stanley 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002PV66/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Xs5EAbGVWXZDV

A lot of people like these tape measures for their larger claws

Klein Tools 98002BT Bottle Opener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00093GENU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4u5EAb52FZ742

This will help for when you go home

Just yesterday I fixed a light strand that was half out by using one of these:http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004FXJOQO, a current detector that I already owned.

A working, turned-on bulb will have current on both sides. A busted bulb will have current on only one side.

Yes. Make sure you turn off the breaker. If you want to feel extra comfortable turn off all the circuits haha. Or get a circuit tester like this: http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1426008999&sr=8-3&keywords=circuit+tester

This is the voltage detector pen that I was telling you about, /u/achstuff:

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Klein Tools NCVT-2 Dual Range Tester, Non Contact Tester for Standard and Low Voltage with 3-m Drop Protection

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These are the RJ-45 Ethernet jacks that I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079K7XMGQ/

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This is the crimper that I use (the wires pass through the jacks and then this cuts them)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00939KFOU/

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And this is the tester that I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQH4XPW/

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I have some other tools which I can list, but this the base set that you'd want to use to get rolling. The nice part about these particular jacks is that their bin's outside label has the diagram for the T568B standard (which you'll want to use (assuming you're crimping both sides of the cable) unless you're trying to match T568A)

Its basically just a voltage detector.

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Protection-Klein-Tools-NCVT-2/dp/B004FXJOQO

You don't need to go all out with a Fluke, just get a non-contact voltage tester for quick double-checking and a multimeter for all-around use.

You can get a no-contact power tester at Home Depot, etc., while you are there buying a new outlet. :)

So, remove the outlet cover plate, but leave the outlet in. Stick the tester in the sides of the outlet, touching the wire, if it's live it will beep and blink. If there is no power, it does nothing. Typically outlets are wired with power coming in one side (left, for example), and out the other side (right, for example). So touch the left wire(s), then the right. If one side does not have power, that outlet is the problem.

Turn the power off, then read the directions that come with the outlet. They are really simple. You can either strip the wire and screw it onto the outlet terminal, or strip the wire and jam it into a little hole on the back. Check YouTube for "replace outlet" videos, and you will see how simple it is. It's like one screw to remove the outlet, then 2 screws for power, and one for the ground.

You could walk around the house and point a non contact voltage tester at everything. Recommendation.
It does high and low voltage - let me know if it picks up any ghosts as well, I might go on a journey with mine.

Nah, I put one in before I knew much about wiring. Just watch some youtube videos and be sure to turn off the breaker.

I'd get one of those Voltage Detectors. I'm usually really careful but I would have been shocked a couple times if I didn't use the tester.

Get a contact-less voltage detector amzn.com/B004FXJOQO

>an electrical safety tester

Is that like a Klein Non-Contact Voltage Tester to see if the circuit is still hot/energized?

https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO/

If you would rather go the Amazon route here is on.

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO/

I don't own one.

Would something like this work - https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Protection-Klein-Tools-NCVT-2/dp/B004FXJOQO/

A properly installed switch never switches neutral. I've run into several fixtures with constant hot at the box. Get a non-contact voltage tester if you aren't comfortable with a multi-meter (or even if you are)
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-NCVT-2-Non-Contact-Voltage/dp/B004FXJOQO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1495817034&sr=8-3&keywords=non+contact+voltage+detector

You're still going to want to make sure nothing is live even after shutting breakers off. Definitely get one of these, lol. I've learned not to trust any of the electrical work in my house.

One of these will help a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Protection-Klein-Tools-NCVT-2/dp/B004FXJOQO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=electric+tester+pen&qid=1563599399&s=gateway&sprefix=electric+tes&sr=8-3

Or a standard multimeter.

doorbells are easy enough to handle, as long as the transformer is still good. the transformer converts your home's 120volt electricity to 12 volts (usually) via this large, fist sized looking block, usually located nearish to the breaker box.

doorbells are run in a low voltage loop. the power is supplied from the breaker box or a nearby junction box to the transformer. then it runs from the transformer in a big circle to the chime and the buzzer. when you press the doorbell buzzer, you're completing the circuit and it causes the chime to sound.

1. turn off the power to the transformer, check with a voltage tester.
   
   
2. unscrew buzzer or chime. you can do either one first. it doesn't really matter. just make sure you have a clamp or something like that hand. sometimes those little wires like to fall back into the wall. clamp the wires so that they don't.
   
   
3. once either part is unscrewed from the wall, you'll see two contacts. usually it doesn't matter which wire connects to which contact, provided you get a standard two wire doorbell system. disconnect the two wires from the existing contacts.
   
   
4. clean off the wires a little bit. they're probably dirty and oxidized. if they're really nasty looking, you can cut them back a little and strip the coating off the wire for some fresh copper.
   
   
5. reattach the wires. you'll probably need a little screwdriver for this.
   
   
6. i like to seal around the doorbell buzzer with some caulk. helps protect it from the elements a bit.
   
   
7. attach the chime/buzzer back to the wall. some just fasten with screws. others have mounting brackets that fastened to the wall with anchors or something. then the actual faceplate of the chime/buzzer snaps on to that.
   
   
8. turn your power back on at the breaker.
   
   
9. test it out.
   
   
10. act smug and cocky with your SO about how easily you completed this and never let him/her forget it by always saying "remember that time..."

You're certain the fan is on same breaker? In my place, most of the breakers were labeled correctly, but i had a couple of outlets and switches that were tied to other breakers. Also, mine has switches and outlets separate. I believe I have upstairs outlets, upstairs lights, downstairs outlets, downstairs lights. I'm not sure what the norm is for this, but getting a little klein pen tester and tying your rooms/fixtures to their actual breakers in a google doc will be really helpful now and in the future.

Get yourself a voltage tester and you can trace the outage back to the source. Start with the fixture, then work your way back.