An electrical question

[LizStreithorst]

I can do this.  The only difference between screwing up basic electrical work and basic pluming work  is that electrical will kill you and plumbing will only leave you with a flood.  I have to replace a light fixture in the fish room.  It's not on any of the fish room circuits because it used to be an outside light before I had the fish room built on.  How do I know how to find which breaker to flip?  There's a tester of some kind isn't there? I know that this will be easy job to do and that when I do it I will be terribly pleased with myself   I just don't want to kill myself in the process of having a good time.  It would be such to great a waste of a good time,

[wallace]

Are you replacing it because it doesn't work?

[LizStreithorst]

yes

[Mugwump]

yes

...not just a wall switch?.....

[waterboy]

Surest way is to turn off all the breakers and rewire it then turn them all back on.  About the same as a short power loss.  Some people think the world stops if we lose electric.....not so.  Is it in a place where you can work in daylight?  If not prepare a flashlight or two ahead of time.

[LizStreithorst]

I'm a sissy girl when it comes to electricity.  I know for a fact that this light in not connected to any of the fish room breakers.  I'll just turn off everything except the fish room. 

[BallAquatics]

When you get it fixed, turn the breakers back on one at a time and you'll find out which one controls this light fixture.   

Dennis

[LizStreithorst]

excellent idea.  My breakers are labeled.  I'm sure this must be on the laundry room breaker because it's on what used to be the outside light when I walked outside from the laundry room.  If I weren't such a sissy girl I'd just turn off that breaker and go for it.  My neighbor who ran the power plant down the road before he retired is so confident that he works on everything live.  Scares the shit out of me.

[waterboy]

You did replace the bulb and try it right?  Touch a screwdriver across the terminals sort of fast.  If you get a big pop and spark the circuit is still live, if not you are good to go.  I don't think anyone has ever died from home electricity, you might get a good jolt but I don't think it can kill you.

[LizStreithorst]

Yes, I tried two different bulbs in it just to be sure. 

Thanks for trying to reassure me about house electricity not being fatal.  Reassurance is futile when addressed to an irrational fear.

[wallace]

Wear shoes. If it still doesn't work after the fix its probably the switch.

[Mugwump]

Wear shoes. If it still doesn't work after the fix its probably the switch.

..definitely wear shoes.....yup..yup..yup....

[waterboy]

Wear shoes. If it still doesn't work after the fix its probably the switch.

..definitely wear shoes.....yup..yup..yup....

And don't stand in water or on a damp floor.

[waterboy]

Wear shoes. If it still doesn't work after the fix its probably the switch.

Hey if it has a switch, just turn off the switch and you are good to go.

[Mugwump]

Wear shoes. If it still doesn't work after the fix its probably the switch.

..definitely wear shoes.....yup..yup..yup....

And don't stand in water or on a damp floor.

...and eat your veggies too...