The voltage reading on a multitester or multimeter tells you if power is reaching an outlet. Properly used, your multimeter also can tell you whether the white and black wires are reversed, whether the receptacle is properly grounded, and which cable entering the box feeds power to the outlet. (If you don't have a multimeter, you can use a voltage detector in place of the voltmeter and a continuity tester in place of the ohmmeter.)
If a problem arises, usually you can diagnose it by running only one or two of these tests. You conduct most of these tests with the power on, so work carefully. To be safe, hold both meter probes in the same hand so that a shock doesn't pass through your body.
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