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Lost Power to Room Outlets
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By Dave Rongey
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Why Some Room Outlets Have Lost Power
Electrical Outlets Question:
I have half power to on wall and one wall has no power, have checked breakers and all good any advise? Mike.
Hi Mike - Great Electrical Repair Question!
Follow these directions and I believe you will find the problem:
Sketch out the room on paper taking note of what is working and what does not. Make note of any outlets where space heaters or other high wattage devices are plugged in.
Shut off the power to the affected area and make sure the every outlet is off before proceeding. One by one start opening what appears to be the last outlet that was working before one that does not, starting with outlets that have had any high wattage devices plugged in.
Inspect the wiring inside the outlet box, any splices and how the wires are attached to the outlet.
You are looking for burnt wires in a splice or attached to the side of the outlet. If you do not find a problem in the outlet boxes then you will have to inspect the fixture boxes in this room and switch boxes as well.
Any burnt wiring will need to be repaired by removing any burnt or scorched insulation back to the point of good clean wire.
Attaching a splice may be necessary to extend short wires where they may be joined to other wires they may splice to. Be sure to use insulated wire connectors that are sized properly for the gauge of wire and amount.
After inspecting or repairing the wiring carefully fold the wires back into the box as far back as the wire length will allow being careful to not damage the insulation. If all these inspections do not reveal the problem then there may be splices under the home or in an attic space above which will need to be inspected.
Be Careful - Be Safe, never work on energized circuits.
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