1. Polarized Receptacle Power Check
When testing a polarized receptacle, first check for power to the receptacle by placing the red lead of the tester in the smaller slot and the black lead into the larger slot. If the tester lights, you have established that the receptacle is powered up and you can continue testing.
2. Polarized Receptacle Center Ground Screw Test
Once you verify that you have power, remove the black lead and touch it to the screw in the center of the cover plate. If the tester lights up or registers, the outlet is grounded and wired correctly. If not, continue to the next test.
3. Polarized Receptacle Reversed Wiring Test
Place the red test lead into the long slot and the black lead on the center screw of the cover plate. If the tester lights, you have established that the receptacle is wired incorrectly. The hot and neutral wires are reversed and should be switched to make a correct connection.
4. Polarized Receptacle Absence Of Ground Test
Now try placing the black lead on the screw in the middle of the cover plate and place the red lead in each of the other slots (small and large slots) to see if the tester lights. If it doesn’t light for either, the receptacle isn’t grounded.
5. Three-Slot Receptacles Power Test
In order to test a three-slot receptacle, check for power between the large and small slot. Place the red lead into the small slot and the black lead into the larger slot.
6. Three-slot Receptacle Center Ground Screw Test
Once power is established, take the black lead out of the large slot and move it to center screw of the cover plate. The tester should light if the ground connection is good and the receptacle is connected properly. If it doesn’t light, continue to the next test.
7. Three-slot Receptacle Reversed Wiring Test
Place the red test lead into the long slot and the black lead on the center screw of the cover plate. If the tester lights, you have established that the receptacle is wired incorrectly. You can also place the red lead in the small slot and the black lead into the round slot. If the tester lights, you have once again found out that the hot and neutral wires are reversed and should be switched to make a correct connection.
8. Three-slot Receptacle Absence Of Ground Test
Now try placing the black lead in the round hole and try placing the red lead in each of the other slots (small and large slots) to see if the tester lights. If it doesn’t light for either, the receptacle isn’t grounded.
9. No Power On The Receptacle
If there is a case where there is absolutely no power on the receptacle at all, you have another problem. It may be that the wiring from the circuit breaker or fuse is damaged and not completing the circuit. It may be a circuit breaker has tripped or a fuse has blown. In these cases, you can reset a breaker or replace a fuse if the the circuit looks to have no visible defects. It is likely, however, that something caused the tripping of the breaker or blowing of the fuse. Try unplugging everything connected to that circuit, reset the breaker or replace the fuse, then one at a time, pluf the devices back into the circuit to find the problem, if any.
