When conducting an AC voltage test, where should the test probes be placed?

The correct placement of test probes during an AC voltage test is into the two slotted openings of a receptacle. This method allows the tester to measure the voltage present between the live (hot) and neutral wires effectively. By inserting the probes into both the hot and neutral slots, you can obtain an accurate reading of the voltage being supplied to the outlet.

Using the outer casing or placing the probes into individual slots does not provide an accurate measure of the voltage level. The outer casing is typically grounded and does not represent the electrical current supplied by the receptacle. Similarly, testing only one slot would fail to capture the necessary potential difference needed to assess the AC voltage accurately, as voltage measurements are dependent on the difference in potential between two points. Hence, placing the probes in both slotted openings is essential for obtaining reliable readings during an AC voltage test.