I connected a 3-way light switch. Everything is working well. I have a 2-prong electrical current tester. Wanted to see which screws I needed to touch to see when the light on the tester would come on. When I touched one prong to the black screw, sparks flew and it blew the tip of the tester off. Is this right?

Good morning Wendy,

Did you get burned?

No this is a bad situation. You said you placed one probe on the "Black" conductor, what did you do with the other probe?

Switches only deal with interrupting the supply's hot conductor to the circuit. If there is a Neutral (white) present in the switch's box it is used to supply the Neutral return for a specialty switch. A standard 3-way switch is not a specialty switch.

Do you have a voltmeter? If you do, then set the meter to the highest A/C setting it has. Connect the "Black" probe on the input (usually black or brass) screw. The "Red" probe can then be used to test the "Travelers". With the switch in the "OFF" position, test each of the travelers for voltage.

Once you see a voltage, lower the setting on the meter to the closest setting to that voltage. You should see 120 Vac (within +/- 10%)between the black conductor on the switch and one of the travelers with the switch "OFF". When the switch is turned on, that voltage will drop to zero.

No, it is not right. Exactly what tester do you have?
"2-prong electrical current tester" is pretty vague.

I hadn't touched the other end on anything. (that I know of). I don't have a voltmeter. The switch works, lights go and off.

W.

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Originally Posted by donf

Good morning Wendy,

Did you get burned?

No this is a bad situation. You said you placed one probe on the "Black" conductor, what did you do with the other probe?

Switches only deal with interrupting the supply's hot conductor to the circuit. If there is a Neutral (white) present in the switch's box it is used to supply the Neutral return for a specialty switch. A standard 3-way switch is not a specialty switch.

Do you have a voltmeter? If you do, then set the meter to the highest A/C setting it has. Connect the "Black" probe on the input (usually black or brass) screw. The "Red" probe can then be used to test the "Travelers". With the switch in the "OFF" position, test each of the travelers for voltage.

Once you see a voltage, lower the setting on the meter to the closest setting to that voltage. You should see 120 Vac (within +/- 10%)between the black conductor on the switch and one of the travelers with the switch "OFF". When the switch is turned on, that voltage will drop to zero.

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There's no "name" on the tester. It's a little light with transparent orange plastic around it, with two covered wires sticking out of it.

W.

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

No, it is not right. Exactly what tester do you have?
"2-prong electrical current tester" is pretty vague.

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Toss it and buy one that is clearly identified for 120 volts, or purchase a multi-meter and read the instructions carefully.

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The switch works, lights go and off.

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I would guess burnt on one probe only, may have touched the side of the box, or some other ground or neutral, with the one probe?
Do both probes have a burnt spot on them?

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Originally Posted by WebbyWendy

There's no "name" on the tester. Its a little light with transparent orange plastic around it, with two covered wires sticking out of it.

W.

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Sounds like a neon tester.