View Full Version : All the power on a breaker went out due to a space heater.
powerless101
Mar 17, 2011, 12:38 PM
The breaker did not trip but I flipped them all anyway. It came back on later and then tripped again. I figured out it was due to the space heater when someone plugged it into an outlet on another breaker and the same thing happened. Now there is no power on either breakers circuit! Help!
Stratmando
Mar 17, 2011, 12:42 PM
Power needs to be checked coming out of breaker, maybe burnt open a bad connection, I would test to see if you lost the hot, neutral, or both.
If Both, then likely a GFI or ARC Fault tripped, If the neutral, then a connection or on neutral buss.
If the Hot, it could be the breaker, or connections.
Check all boxes on that circuit.
smoothy
Mar 17, 2011, 12:43 PM
I assume the MAIN breaker isn't tripped? And you have power elsewhere.
When you reset them, you did turn them OFF first then flipped them back on. I have to say that because there are some people aren't aware that's how you do it. And you can't assume. I have neighbors I've had to show that to 5 times already.
Also... what Stratmando said applies as well.
powerless101
Mar 17, 2011, 12:50 PM
It's not the main, the rest of the house works, but I flipped it off, and all the others, then back on. I'm still wondering why it would come back on the first time. Also, all of the outlets read hot/ground reverse on one (the one that came back on later) and correct on the other. Both have light switches and one has ceiling light. Neither have power to anything
powerless101
Mar 17, 2011, 12:52 PM
Now the side that is just outlets and wall switches to the outlet is working again, the other side is still off
Stratmando
Mar 17, 2011, 01:00 PM
Power needs to be checked coming out of breaker, maybe burnt open a bad connection, I would test to see if you lost the hot, neutral, or both.
If Both, then likely a GFI or ARC Fault tripped, If the neutral, then a connection or on neutral buss.
If the Hot, it could be the breaker, or connections.
Check all boxes on that circuit.
Also it would be a good idea to remove recepticle(s) and verify the white wire is on the silver screw, and the hot is on the dark screw.
tkrussell
Mar 17, 2011, 01:05 PM
Many times a short circuit or an overload causes a weak or loose connection to open permanently. You may need to open receptacles, switches junction boxes looking for a loose connection.
A popular location is at receptacles, esp if the wires are pushed into the back of the device, rather than wrapped around the screw type of connection.