View Full Version : Power loss in only one room then it came back on minutes later
notyper
Nov 27, 2013, 09:45 PM
I lost power in my computer room while using the computer. It only affected this room, this room being two duplex receptacles and one overhead light. The rest of the house continued to work.I checked the fuse panel and all fuses are good. It is an old trailer with a 60A service panel. The room affected is an add-on done by previous owner, I honestly do not know how it is tied in to the original wiring. By the time I got back from the bedroom (checking fuses) I noticed the standby power indicator on the monitor was lit. This room had no power for sure for at least 3 min before I spent another 3 min away from the room. I am scratching my head as to how the power works now with me doing nothing
ma0641
Nov 28, 2013, 06:23 AM
Check the outlets. If they are back wired, pushed in and not under the screws, you may have found the problem. The surface contact area is small, the connector overheats and disconnects. When it cools it reestablishs contact. Put the wires under the screws. Also make sure you are not overloading the circuit. It may not trip the breaker but still be very close to doing so. I also see you have a 60 amp service.
stanfortyman
Nov 28, 2013, 06:37 AM
The term is actually backstab. Back-wired is a term describing commercial heavy duty receptacle where a screw tightens a plate on the wire.
If it's an old trailer, you would be best served replacing every single receptacle. I literally this week replaced all the receptacles in one room of a trailer for this exact reason. The conductors at every one were not only loose, but were black from heat and oxidation. Every room in this crappy place had a space heater, which is what exacerbates the problem tremendously.
notyper
Dec 10, 2013, 04:52 PM
Sorry so late but I wanted to thank you both for the input. I realized, after posting the question, that I left out the likely culprit. I was using one of those crappy space heaters. I feel a little silly now thinking back. I unplugged that thing from the wall and have not used it since and will not use it again. I am computing now with no problems. I did not know that conductors would overheat and loose connection like that. I guess I figured if it was too much the fuse would go. I am somewhat close to clearing this mobile home out and having a home built in its place. I will be more mindful of what I plug in where so I do not melt this place down. Thanks again for the info.