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How not to get shocked, while changing the kitchen light switch?
So as the title says..how not to get shocked changing the kitchen light switch in my apartment..I turned the switch off for the kitchen at the box, after narrowing down the non listed numbers. All the lights and power went off for the kitchen. So I unscrew the light switch, pull the switch out some and bzzz my asss gets shocked.. enough to know something is wrong. I have no 'tester', but I need to get this fixed asap.
Do I have to cut all the power in the box off or just the kitchen is fine? Now the switch I want to replace, is broken so I'm not sure if it was on the on or off when I accidentally broke it..I blame the bourbon. But anyways, what to do now? If anyone could explain it pretty well so I can print the paper or at least know what the hell I'm doing since I'm on someone else's computer. Much appreciate it.
There really wasn't anything labeled kitchen. Had a/c, oven etc but a few were left blank so I tried a switch that wasn't labeled and the lights, microwave, fridge etc went off so I assumed I was good to go... no main breaker in my apartment that I know of. unless I turn all the switches off?
6 Answers
- KMALv 69 years agoFavorite Answer
For sure the kitchen light will be on a single pole breaker. Either 15 or 20 amp.
To identify circuits I turn on all lights, fans, radios, TV's etc. then shut off all the breakers. Turn one back on and see what works. Turn it off and put another one on. Repeat till you have identified all the single pole 15 and 20 amp breakers. You can put some stuff back on but leave off any circuits close to the kitchen. Not 100% accurate, but without a tester of some sort it may be you next best bet.
Ao the other hand, some things are better of left for the "clear light of day".
Bourbon and electricity don't mix well!
Source(s): a licensed electrician - BigmikeLv 69 years ago
The lights in the room may be connected to the one that says Kitchen on the box but the plugins may be connected to a different breaker so go back to the box and look for Plug breaker or Kitchen plug/something else breaker.
I would just find the main breaker the one that turns off everything if you cant find the one that switches off the plugins.
Turning them all off is your best bet then. You have some weird wiring.
- AsokaLv 59 years ago
Your light switch is probably on a different circuit than the one marked kitchen. If you have no tester just turn everything off in the breaker box. Then replace the switch. Then turn everything back on. Reset your clocks.
Source(s): electrician - 9 years ago
This is kind of a funny story lol I blame the bourbon. Anyways the most sure fire way is to switch the main power at the box to off anytime you are working with electrical.
Remember 120 volts hurts like hell. and can cause fibrillation!
Hope this helps.
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- gordon1212Lv 59 years ago
If the switch was on when you broke it then it would still be on but if it broke in the off position try bridging it with carefully using a short piece of wire thats insulated except at the ends--- flip off the breakers one by one until it does not light but If i were you go buy a tester
