Why Your Bathroom Receptacles Are Not Working
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How To Fix Bathroom Outlets and Receptacles: How a Non-Contact Voltage Tester Can Help Locate a Faulty Circuit. |
No Power to Bathroom Receptacles
Electrical Question: I have 2 receptacles, 1 in a upstairs bath, 1 in a downstairs bath, and neither are GFCI.
- I want to upgrade and during the process I tripped the breaker and now I have no power to either bathroom.
- Everything in the house is normal but I can’t figure out which breaker has been tripped as none of them show a red indicator and all seem to be normal.
- I have a Non-Contact voltage tester digital mult-imeter.
- How can I utilize these tools to troubleshoot my problem?
This electrical wiring question came from: Rich, a Homeowner in Missouri.
Dave’s Answer:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Rich.
How To Fix Bathroom Outlets and Receptacles
Application: Testing Bathroom Receptacles and GFCI Circuit Wiring
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools a Voltage Tester or Plug-In Circuit Analyzer.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, the extent of the electrical repairs, the number of outlets that are affected.
Precaution: Identify the GFCI outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
How a Non-Contact Voltage Tester Can Help Locate a Faulty Circuit
- Problem GFCI Outlet
I suspect that there is possibly a GFI outlet that is protecting the existing bathroom receptacles and circuit, and this is a common occurrence when a bathroom outlet lost power. - Locating a Bathroom GFI Outlet
Take a look around and see if you can locate a GFI receptacle, sometimes they may be installed behind a towel bar near the floor or near the toilet to provide power for a bidet. - Testing a GFI Circuit
The non-contact tester can be held next to the circuit breaker where the wire in attached to see if there is voltage. - The digital multimeter can be set to the ac volts setting and used to test for voltage, black lead to frame or ground, red lead to circuit breaker terminal.
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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.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis 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 TesterThis 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 CutterMy 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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