Checklist For Identifying Why Outlets Stop Working

Checklist for Identifying Outlet Circuit Failures – Double check the 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers. Circuit breakers may be tripped and still appear to be in the ON position. Push them all the way into the OFF position, then back On. By: Dave Rongey

How To Restore The Power To Your Outlets
[ad#block]Electrical Question: All of the outlets in our dining room and kitchen went out.

• All the circuit breakers are fine and we even flipped the main.
• We don’t have one of those GFI outlets anywhere with the red reset button.

What would our problem be?

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Kym.
Background: Kym, a Homeowner from Carlisle, PA

Checklist for Identifying Outlet Circuit Failures

• Double check the 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers.
  • Circuit breakers may be tripped and still appear to be in the ON position.
  • Push them all the way into the OFF position, then back On.
• If a space heater has been used in the room
  • then turn off the circuit power
  • Inspect the outlet
  • Inspect the electrical wiring
  • Inspect electrical wiring splices especially at the location where the space heater has been plugged in.
• Space heaters use a lot of electricity and often this will break down the outlet and can lead to other problems as well.
• Jog your memory:
  • what was being used before this power loss occurred?
  • Was there any wiring that was installed?
    • Often we tend to overlook the obvious cause which can lead to the correction.
• Call a qualified electrician.
  • If all of the above checks out then it’s time to call a professional who will
    • take a look and perform some extensive testing
    • discover the cause
    • make the necessary repairs or corrections

The Following will assist you with your electrical question:

Circuit Breakers
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

Kitchen Electrical Wiring

Electrical Outlets

For more information about Outlet Wiring
Outlet Wiring

Wiring Electrical Outlets
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring

• Learn the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting
• Methods that are used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems
• and wiring failures typically encountered

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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