Non-working outlets!

Clough · Apr 15, 2007, 10:43 PM

The first thing that I would check is all of the other breakers since you have done the above already. You did mention "breaker" in the singular.

I am not sure that you have to hire an electrician just yet.

minichevy · Apr 15, 2007, 11:41 PM

Well I did mention breaker ...I did check the one but my wife suggested we shut all the breakers to the whole house I did twice reconnected the tv and dvr box and still nothing works ! Still at a still with this ?! Please help

Clough · Apr 16, 2007, 01:50 AM

Has anything else been changed in your house concerning the electricity? What I had stated before was that you had mentioned only one breaker being checked. Have you checked all of them individually with all of the electricity to the house being turned on?

minichevy · Apr 16, 2007, 06:28 AM

Well currently in the last month I have replaced a ceiling fan in the kitchen and we had a garage light also in the kitchen that was replaced as a matter of fact on 4-15-07 and during easter weekend I replace the ceiling fan in the living room.But everything had been working fine until I turned the breaker back on after replacing the light switch in the laundry room located in the living room the light in there had been flickering we thought it was the light switch.... It still flickers so changed the bulb and still does the same thing and still the 3 outlets on that half of the room don't work as well as the shed and outside light.. ANY RESPONSE HELP!

labman · Apr 16, 2007, 07:08 AM

I would go back to the switch you replaced and check its connections. If you used any of the ''push the wire in the back ones'', remove them and try the screws.

To do simple checks like this you do need some tools. A test light, a meter, or a voltage detector might be the best place to start with. I came across the niftiest gadget for trouble shooting, a voltage detector. They work through the insulation of wires. There are several brands. I have a GB Instruments GVD-505A, less than $15 at Home Depot. Touch it to a hot wire, and the end glows red. Find the doodad that lights it on one side, and not the other, and you have the culprit. You do not have to open up housings and expose electrical contacts. You are looking at where your hand is, not where the meter is. Most people are capable of doing repairs and will get it going and not get hurt if they use a little sense. The voltage detector makes it even easier.

Sometime you can even sense hot wires through the wall with the voltage detector.

minichevy · Apr 16, 2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the help. But the delema is that I switched the light switch in the laundry room located in the living room and the 3 outlets which seem to be connected to the outside light that seem to give power to my shed are not working ....Which I figured had nothing to do with the switch in my laundry room as far as advice I have done all of the above! Motivated to figure out what is wrong any suggestions appreciated!

labman · Apr 16, 2007, 12:01 PM

When you checked the breaker, did you force the handle as far to off as it would go and then back on? Sometimes you have to do that.

Otherwise, start at the light or outlet closest to the breaker panel, and see if you have power there. If you aren't getting any power outside the panel, you may want to consider calling a professional rather than opening up the panel yourself. Panels are not good places for the inexperienced.

Stratmando · May 18, 2007, 06:27 AM

Turn Power off, and verify all connections in Switchbox. Turn back on.
Breakers can trip, but not show tripped.
Maybe turn all 15 an 20 amp breakers all the way off and all back on?

ZCCG · May 18, 2007, 08:20 AM

When you changed out the switch, was there a number of (black) Hot wires tied together by a wire nut?
If there was, check those wires.... Maybe 1 of them did not get reconnected good.
It does sound like a bad connection or loose wire somewhere.
If you have one of them simple testers like Labman mentioned, start at the first thing on that circut and work your way down from there till you find where the power stops.
If that circut is good, then start on the dead circut nearest the breaker and work it from there.
Good Luck
C'ya

Non-working outlets!

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