Help to Identify Outlet Power Failures
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After a power outage some of the power outlets in my home quit working, what should I check? How to Identify Home Power Outage and Electrical Circuit Failures. © By: Dave Rongey |
Identify Home Power Outage and Outlet Failures
Electrical Repair Question: After a power outage some of the power outlets in my home quit working, what should I check?
- After a power outage some of the power outlets in my mobile home quit working.
- I checked the outlets and had 120 volts on both sides of each plug but nothing would work when plugged into them.
- I checked other outlets that were working and had 120 volts on only one side of the plug.
- This has happened before but then it started working on its own.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question JB.
Background: JB, a Homeowner from Gautier, MS.
How to Identify Home Power Outage and Outlet Failures
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with hand tools and electrical troubleshooting skills.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and then Tag it with a Note before performing any wiring or inspections. Electrical troubleshooting is best performed by a qualified electrical contractor.
- With a situation such as this there could be a problem with the incoming power from the utility company.
- The electrical service should be checked by a qualified electrician.
- Look for tripped circuit breakers.
- Look for tripped GFCI circuit devices and GFI Receptacles.
- Further testing may be required to identify the problem which is best provided by a qualified electrical contractor.
- A plug in Circuit Analyzer may be used to test wall outlets and will give a visual indication of the condition of the electrical circuit.
- Contact your electrical utility company and have then check the primary side of the electrical service.
The Following will assist you with your electrical question:
Understanding Electrical Testers
- When working on home electrical wiring using voltage testers can play an important part in electrical safety.
- Electrical testers enable you to identify electrical circuits and help prevent the possibility of accidental electrical shock.
Types of Electrical Testers
Using Electrical Testers
Electrical Outlets
For more information about Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
- Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting
- Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered
The following may also be helpful for you:
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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Hey Hank,
The good news is that typically attic or crawl space wiring by itself does not go bad except with the help of damage from the elements and unwanted guests which have a tendency to chew on wire insulation or find a nice warm wire or splice box, that being said, splices in junction boxes can become a problem when a circuit is heavily loaded where an old splice may loosen up and start to arc. Keep in mind that as the weather changes our electrical usage changes as well which sometimes creates some problems.
Dave
Thank you for your response Dave.
There are no dimmers in these circuits, only single, three & four way switches. They are all mfg by Cooper, and are of the wide, flat, rocker type/style switches.
Think I’ll begin with checking the neutral wires at the service box, and hope it is in there, cuz I sure hate to think about chasing wires up in that attic!
Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated.
Respectfully,
Hank Brow
Hello Hank,
Here are some things to consider for a problem with flickering lights:
CFL – Curly bulbs: Are they controlled by a dimmer switch, if so is the dimmer and CFL compatible?
Is the voltage fluctuating in other parts of the home? If so call the electric utility company and have them check their side of the service.
Is the problem isolated to one circuit? If so identify all the devices on that circuit and inspect all the wiring and connections at each junction box.
Also: Make sure all connections to circuit breakers and the neutral terminal strip are tight.
Be Careful and turn the power or circuits off as needed before performing any work.
Dave
Hello,
Over the past couple of years we have been doing lots of remodeling in our home. We pitched in and did as much as we could ourselves, which included some wiring of lights,switches, outlets etc.
My question is…Why do some of my lights flicker at night? Or at least that is when you can notice it, as I’m pretty sure they do it all the time.
The house was originally built in the mid/late 70’s, and not all the grounds were properly completed. I made sure that the circuits I worked on were grounded.
Most of the lights that flicker were some of the circuitry I worked on, some are not. The only thing I see common (besides that I work on some of them) is that the ones that flicker have the round curley fluorscent type bulbs in them.??? Don’t know if that is a factor or not.
Can you help…or do you need more information.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Hank Brow