please help with elictrical question

[straydog]

im really confused, In the basement there is the hot and neutral wires running from box to box in the ceiling lights, in one box i put a test light on the hot and neutral wires and it lights up as it should, there is a 14-2 running to the switch in the wall which shares the box with another switch, when i touch the test light to the hot wire and to either of the wires running to the light switch the test light still comes on but its dim. the wires are not hooked up to anything but the switch, I diconected the ground wires thinking thats the only thing hooked up to anything as its tied together with the ground on yhe other switch but it still comes on. I hope this makes sence

[SkunkedAgain]

I'm confused. Is there a problem in your basement (i.e. ceiling lights not working) or are you just walking around checking wiring with your test light and it shows weak?

[straydog]

im sorry, in am hanging drywall and some fixtures needed to be moved

[JohnMickish]

Use a meter not a test light. Your test light could be picking up some induced voltage and giving you a false reading.

One word of advice to anyone who wants to do DIY electrical projects at home.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use a proximity tester or test light to check if the power is dead or not. Only use it to confirm that power IS LIVE. If you really want to know if it's dead, use a meter. Think of the trust you are putting in a $10 tool sold at Walmart. These cheap things fail all the time, I know because I go thru about 2 of them a year.

[BobT]

Quote:

Use a meter not a test light. Your test light could be picking up some induced voltage and giving you a false reading.

You're faster than I am on the keyboard and probably in the field too.

[straydog]

Thanks for the help, i usually do use a meter when doing stuff like this but i couldnt find it so i just made do, just seemed weird getting a little light when i knew the one wire was completely disconected from anything.