On Wed, 16 May 2012 12:35:14 -0400, Metspitzer
wrote:

On Wed, 16 May 2012 08:19:29 -0700 (PDT), TimR
wrote:

I started with the assumption the switch was bad, did the checking
mostly out of curiosity (and of course, when trying to figure out
which breaker controls the circuit and the light is NOT working, it's
handy to have a way to know).

Test the bad switch with an ohm meter


That works - but you need to turn the power off for that test. The
voltmeter test requires removing the switch plate - and that is all
-unless you can't get your test lead to the terminals without
loosening the switch from the box - but the troubleshooting can all be
done live.