Had a fuse literally melt in my panel. Had an electrican over to look at it and said the black wire that was connected to the fuse still has power and must have a short somewhere along the line. So I've changed some receptacles and a switch to see if that did it. How do I go about checking to see if this line still has power? I have a multimeter to use as well. The black wire is still disconnected from the panel.

So what exactly is your question since you already had an elctrician look at your panel? What did he not tell you?

So what exactly is your question since you already had an elctrician look at your panel? What did he not tell you?

He had told me the panel needs to be replaced. But he seems to think the black wire from the fuse the melted still has power even though its disconnected from the panel. He said there must be a short somewhere on that line. While I'm waiting to replace my panel id like to find that short. I've replaced a few receptacles along that line and would like to test that wire for power. Do I just put black on nuetral bar and red on that wire? Im guessing if no numbers jump on the multimeter than it should be OK.

" But he seems to think the black wire" either there is or there isn't, seems like you need another guy to tell you for sure or check yourself. The black wire is disconnected from the panel and so touch your meter to it and the white wire. Back to you

So red from multimeter on disconnected black... Then ground it to the neutral bar... If numbers are at zero I'm good to go... If numbers jump... Need to investigate further? Thanks so much for your help

What type of meter are you using. A Volt meter will have two probes. One red and one black.

To test for voltage on the black (disconnected) wire, clip the red probe to the disconnected wire. Clip the black meter probe to either the neutral bus or to the ground bus. You can also use the metal cabinet of the fuse box as ground.

If the disconnected wire is still hot you will read a voltage. If the wire is dead, there will be zero volts.

Thank you very much. Ill give it a shot first thing in AM. This is the meter I have http://www.sears.com/craftsman-digital-multimeter-with-manual-ranging-8-function/p-03482337000P

Set it for 200v AC, put your probes into COM and the red plug on the right. Have you ever worked on a hot panel with the cover off before?

Set it for 200v AC, put your probes into COM and the red plug on the right. Have you ever worked on a hot panel with the cover off before?

Only to add a circuit for the basement... but obviously the main was shut off.

Either you have grossly mis-understood your electrician, or you need to get a different one.

still has power even though its disconnected from the panel.

If your electrician can't figure this out, what makes you think you can? I'm not trying to insult you, but it seems like you are missing the obvious.