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Similar to this question, but I'm asking specifically about bare wires, with no socket. I don't want to flip a breaker switch, or blow a fuse.

How can I test for a current in the cable(s) without a dedicated meter?

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J. Musser
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    What kind of current are you expecting? If you don't know, you really just shouldn't be doing this without proper equipment. – fredley Dec 10 '14 at 20:48
  • @TomMedley 125 volts. 20 amps. – J. Musser Dec 10 '14 at 20:50
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    Yeah, don't do this. – fredley Dec 10 '14 at 21:11
  • @J.Musser There are electro screwdrivers for that situation. A thing that you should carry with you if you attempt to work on electricity. Also taking out the fuse manually makes sure that there is no current on the wires, which is easier then testing. – Angelo Fuchs Dec 11 '14 at 06:02
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    You should include the situation in which the wires are found. Is it in your home? Outside? Do you have control over the breaker? – Zach Saucier Dec 12 '14 at 14:23
  • It might help to know why you want to do this. Do you actually want to know if the wire is "hot", i.e., has voltage on it? Or do you want to know if current is flowing? It can be hot (and dangerous if the voltage is high enough) and yet have no current flowing. – Jim Mar 17 '15 at 16:00
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    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because any hack is inherently unsafe. Go to the store and get the proper equipment. – Jon Mar 18 '15 at 01:39
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    @Jon This question was kinda meant as a test question in the early days of the site. It has already been closed, reopened, closed again, reopened, Deleted by Shog, undeleted, etc. Personally, I'd like to simply close/lock/delete it. – J. Musser Mar 18 '15 at 01:45
  • @J.Musser cant you delete as the OP? – Jon Mar 18 '15 at 01:54
  • @Jon I can, and also because I'm a mod now. My main reason for not wanting that is because of the upvotes on the answers it got. – J. Musser Mar 18 '15 at 01:57
  • @Jim It's a multi purpose voltage tester of some brand, which (imo) is quite easy to understand. They're quite common, and anyone could buy one. I was surprised I didn't get it as an answer earlier. Which part of the answer were you struggling to understand? – J. Musser Mar 19 '15 at 01:26

2 Answers2

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Theoretically, you could take a lightbulb (or nightlight, phone charger, etc.) and touch the wires to the bulb base or plug.

HOWEVER: DO NOT ATTEMPT

This would be EXTREMELY dangerous: you could die from the electrical shock. Even experienced electricians and crazy people don't do such a thing!

In conclusion

This is one reason there are breaker switches: so you can safely work on wiring, etc. without dying.

To answer your original question with a good and safe idea: Don't do it! Use the proper equipment.

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Mooseman
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  • This answer could be improved by explaining what exactly the danger is and why it's so dangerous. – starsplusplus Dec 10 '14 at 23:48
  • @starsplusplus I added : you could die from the electrical shock – Mooseman Dec 11 '14 at 01:28
  • Excuse my electrical ignorance, but how do you get electrocuted if you're holding the bulb and not touching the wire? – starsplusplus Dec 11 '14 at 08:44
  • Why do you ask that? The dangerous part is handling the live, uninsulated wires. – Mooseman Dec 11 '14 at 12:26
  • Oh, I hadn't realised you were suggesting touching the wires! I assumed you were suggesting holding the bulb and touching it to the wires (which could also be dangerous for all I know). – starsplusplus Dec 11 '14 at 12:28
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    Rubber gloves do negate most of the danger though. Insulated tools help if you don't have gloves. However, given the sketchy question, this answer is probably spot on. – Mast Mar 17 '15 at 14:38
  • This answer is technically WRONG when it comes to determining if there is current flowing through the wires. All it will do is tell you there is current flowing through the light bulb AFTER you connect the lightbulb. It also is not clear from the answer how the lightbulb is expected to be connected. – Jim Mar 17 '15 at 16:06
  • @Jim "touch the wires to the bulb base" – Mooseman Mar 17 '15 at 16:41
  • If I gave my wife those instructions, I could be indicted for attempted murder. :) The rest of your answer is still technically wrong, or else the question is not written clearly, and you're answering what you think the OP means rather than what was asked. See my comment to the OPs question. – Jim Mar 17 '15 at 18:00
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Maybe use this.

tester

image source

It glows when current is present. That way you won't have to touch the wire.

However, as stated by everybody, be careful.

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