The electrical outlet had no voltage going to it. I opened it up and removed the wires from the outlet, and then put a voltage meter across the outlet wires. No voltage. The circuit breaker was on so I am puzzled. How do I check to make sure that the circuit breaker is not defective. The outlet is in the house on an outside wall of the house. What do you suggest? Thank you.

Elliot Altman

1) Bad breaker?
2) Tripped GFI somewhere?
3) Bad connection in a device upstream?

I vote #3.

Elliot.

First of all did this outlet ever work? And are you certain that the breaker controls this outlet? Did it quit working? Are other outlets on the same circuit? The help you desire will be amplified by the thouroughness of the information you supply.

Elliot.

First of all did this outlet ever work? And are you certain that the breaker controls this outlet? Did it quit working? Are other outlets on the same circuit? The help you desire will be amplified by the thouroughness of the information you supply.

"The outlet has been working for 30 years. I turned off all the circuit breakers and turned them back on". No voltage appears on the wires. Since this outlet in the den is on an vinyl sided outside wall, could there be a break somewhere in the wire leading to the circuit breaker. How do I test this premise? Thank you for your help.
Elliot"

Since this outlet in the den is on an vinyl sided outside wall, could there be a break somewhere in the wire leading to the circuit breaker.
This is EXTREMELY rare, although it is one of the first things DIYers think of. Bad breakers are also not very common, but in this case it is certainly a possibility.