In the colder, darker stretches of the year, from late Autumn up until mid-spring, electrical appliances and electronics will be more widely used in houses and businesses across the country.
This means that more trained electricians will be required in December and January than at perhaps any other time of the year.
We rely far more heavily on electric heaters and lights compared to other times of the year, and gift-giving seasons and special occasions can create additional loads in the form of electronic presents.
Whilst most modern electrical circuits are remarkably resilient, strain can increase the likelihood of breaking, and it is essential for an electrician to quickly and efficiently navigate an electrical circuit to determine the location and cause of a fault.
best way to navigate a circuit quickly is through a remarkably simple method known as hopscotching.
What is the hopscotch method, and what does its name mean?
What Is The Hopscotch Method?
The hopscotch method (or hopscotching), named after the playground game, is a systematic approach to troubleshooting a serial electrical circuit, jumping from the source of power and checking voltage at each specific switch and component.
Unusual readings such as dropped voltages can be found, investigated and identified, and the method is often used alongside fault detection devices and smart circuit breakers to minimise electrical dangers.
Why Is The Hopscotch Method Used?
The idea is that if there are no voltage readings at all, the issue is caused by the power supply, whilst if every voltage reading is normal but the appliance does not work, the issue has been caused by a broken component, such as a motor.
If there is a break, then this provides a likely source for the electrical issue and significantly speeds up troubleshooting.
Unusual readings can also be found, investigated and identified as well, and the method is often used alongside fault detection devices and smart circuit breakers to minimise electrical dangers.
What Do You Need For The Hopscotch Method?
Part of what makes the hopscotch method so effective is simplicity; all you need to test it is a voltage tester, of which there are various kinds and functions.
They are part of many multimeters, but non-contact voltage testers can take the form of pen-shaped devices that allow for voltages to be tested without direct contact to an electrical source.
Step-by-Step Guide To The Hopscotch Method
- Step One: Check that the source of power is still functioning. Turn the power off, connect one side of a voltage tester to it and restore power. If there is no reading, then the issue is with the power source or the breaker box itself.
- Step Two: Follow the circuit to the next component in the circuit and test it using a voltage tester. If there is a normal reading, it is working fine.
- Step Three: Keep following the circuit until you get a reading of zero, indicating a broken component.
- Step Four: Continue the process for every switch in the circuit. If the circuit has no issues, the problem could be caused by a component or motor in the appliance itself.