How to Trace a Short in an Electrical Problem in a Breaker & the Switch Is Good

Turn the switch to the "Off" position. Remove the light fixture from the electrical box by removing the screws. Pull the fixture from the electrical box. Turn the light switch to the "On" position.

Touch the tip of the non-contact voltage detector to the black wire's insulation. Do not touch the bare metal wire. If the detector finds electricity, the fixture or light bulb is faulty and needs to be replaced. Turn off the switch and reinstall the fixture into the electrical box.

Remove the light switch from the electrical box, unfastening the two screws. Pull it out of the box by the plastic switch. Do not grab the sides of the switch.

Touch the tip of the non-contact voltage detector to the bottom right black wire. If it detects electricity, the switch most likely needs replacing.

Remove the cover from the electrical panel, removing the four screws. Do not touch any wires inside the electrical panel. There is enough potential electricity here to seriously hurt you.

Find, visually, the circuit that provides power to the light. The back of the panel door has labels for each circuit's purpose.

Follow this wire, visually, to where it exits the panel. Touch the non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation outside the panel. If it doesn't detect power, and the breaker switch is in the "On" position, the breaker most likely needs replacing.

Reinstall the electrical panel cover with the screws used to remove it. Be very careful not to touch the screws to any wires inside the panel.