View Full Version : No power to 1 receptacle
chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 02:22 PM
I have a dual plug receptacle in my vanity next to the sink. It just stopped working, I used a tester and it says no power coming or going. All other switches and receptacles work fine. The non working receptacle has 2 blk/2wht/1 grd. What do I do now?
Thanks
21boat
Jan 8, 2009, 02:59 PM
[QUOTE=;][/
Many times the feed in is pushed in the back of the outlet and things appear not to be "hot" and it is except the contact of the push in part.
Now that's the semi modern recep. The old has no push ins.
Did you pull outlet out and hang on wires to check for a loose wire or wires loose in a wire nit?
Since this is a bathroom and that outlet should be on a GFI. The square ones with reset push on it if that's it did you try to reset?
The other possibility is it already on its on GFI breaker in basement and that tripped from there and that would be on a reg recep. Did you look for a breaker flipped?
Do you check to see if another recep or an this like a GFI out side and this recp is on that end line?
Its on a branch circuit because it has 2 blk "hot" 2 white"neutral" 1 grnd. Now that tells us there is a ground missing on its sister wire where is that? And this could be a rewire job, are all the wires copper and not 2 silver which may be knob and Tube.
What kind of "tester" did you use?
Either or by code this recep. Should be on a GFI to begin with.
Get back please after you look for a breaker flipped and other dead outlets also / outside GFI tripped or another outlet in house that has a GFI that may be tripped.
Signed 21 Boat
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chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 03:10 PM
I'm not sure what "ground" your talking about, All my sockets either have 3 or 5 wires total, 1 blk(hot) 1 wht( neutral) 1 bare(ground) or 2 blk 2 what 1 bare. I realize it should be gfi and will replace after power is restored. The wires are all tight and no breakers were flipped, no other switches or plugs on the circuit are off. There are no gfi's on this circuit. I have a gfi in the other bathroom but it is fine. All the wires are copper and the tester is a very basic red line black line tester that lights up 110 or 220. Checked it with other sockets and it works fine.
I appreciate the quick response, hoping not to have to call electrician
21boat
Jan 8, 2009, 04:06 PM
2 blk/2wht/1 grd
Don't call quite yet. The other GFI may show good and hot but a feed wire may be loose on the "Line' side to feed the dead outlet I would look at that since that was upgraded and if that was ahead of the other recp that could be the problem.
A modern wire has 1blk 1 WH 1 ground so two wire runs would be 2blk 2wh 2 grounds not 1 ground unless this ground (green) ( bare) copper wire was pigtailed off behind the outlet and a "jumper" single wire came from the twisted wire nutted and a 1 ground is what you see with outlet. Older romex wire came with 1blk 1 white and no ground. So according to what I have read it sounds like an old romex (2wires) to a new romex ( three wires and the one is a green or bare ground wire. Have you pulled the outlet to check wires and be careful! Always assume wires are hot unless breaker off etc.
If you have 3 or 5 wires in sockets then it really sound like old and new unless pigtails were connected behind outlets showing 2blk 2wh 1 ground.
If there is old wire here and new hear A junction box could be the culprit here or a junction period.
It could be just the outlet is bad. Is there a vanity light on a switch at all or another outlet on the other side of the vanity?
Check on that I will stick by here this eve and look for your results
Signed 21 Boat
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chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 05:18 PM
Facing the back wall, there are 2 mirrors and a set of 3 lights above, to the right is a half wall then walk in closet. The dead socket is on the half wall, there is a light switch for the closet on the other side of the wall from the socket. There is a light switch for the vanity lights on a wall directly across from the lights/mirrors. There are no other sockets in that area. Checked the gfi and all wires are tight
chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 05:20 PM
I need to find what is feeding that socket as that's probably the line that is loose and not feeding the socket.
21boat
Jan 8, 2009, 05:40 PM
That is always the first approach. If this socket is manageable being off and you have some time here is a great tester for all outlets and cheaper than a service call and helps to determine if other outlets are wired correctly
Gardner Bender
Circuit Alert™ Non-Contact Voltage Detector
Model GVD-504A
$10.49
Select to compare
Gardner Bender
Ground Fault Indicator Tester; 1/Cd, 10Cds/Master
Model GFI-501A
$7.87
Signed 21 Boat
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chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 05:43 PM
Thanks! I appreciate all your help!
21boat
Jan 8, 2009, 06:06 PM
Try checking behind those light switches. Many times an outlet will go bad because of usage and movement. As does a light switch with movement. If a switch has a feed jump on its hot screw/leg and that gets loose the jumper from there to an outlet can be effected.
Basic things for power to go off
Outlet worn from movement
Switch worn from movement
Wire nuts jiggled behind outlet breaks connections
Overloaded circuit.
Bad wire or neutral or hot arcing in time burnt dirty connection
chfields
Jan 8, 2009, 06:49 PM
Thanks for all your help, I think we are going to have an electrician look at it. We have a home warranty (just bought the house). I've done all I feel comfortable doing, so it's time to let the pro's do their thing. Again, I really appreciate all you have done and you have been a big help!
21boat
Jan 8, 2009, 08:45 PM
Your quite welcome.
I always say an intelligent persons is smart when he knows he needs help
Good Luck! Chfields