I have a 1997 Oakwood Double Wide Mobile home that we have lost power to 1/2 of living area, all of master bedroom and all of master bathroom. Have checked all breakers and replaced the one that kept tripping that controls the rooms with no power, but when we reconnect power to the breaker is still trips. We have checked out outlets in the areas with no power and discovered 2 outlets that were burnt on the back. We replaced those, but breaker still trips. Have tested wires from both of those outlets and discovered that one set of wires (both outlets have 2 blacks and 2 whites plus a ground)in one of the outlets is shorted out somewhere between that outlet and the breaker box. I understand that with the way these homes are wired that it's a domino effect and that it has been. All other outlets, lights, and switches show to be good when tested with OHM meter. How can I find out where this bad wire goes to next or get a wiring schematics of the home? Or the name and number of an electrician in the Ellis County, TX area that works on these. Have had no luck in finding one myself. No one seems to know about them that covers this area.

You need to use a circuit tracer to find every outlet on the circuit and then pull all of them out. Is it Aluminum wiring or Copper? Ultimately you will find the outlet that starts the run. There may be a junction box in the circuit, perhaps in the ceiling. Sounds like a possible lightning hit. The breaker will trip with a grounded hot or a connected hot/neutral. Any outlet on the circuit outside? Look there for a short.

We have checked every outlet, light switch and light outlet in the 3 rooms and only found one that shows to have a short. It is copper wiring, not aluminum. Just hit me though when you ask, that there is an outlet on the outside of the home in the same area as the outlet with the short. All outlets but the one show to be good. Just can't seem to determine where the wire that is showing the short goes when it leaves the outlet. Possible that it does go to the outside outlet though. I will check that tomorrow when it gets light again so can see under the house. Have tried pulling the wires out but it seems they are attached to braces or something inside the wall. Wires won't pull, it just starts tearing sheet rock. Thanks!

Remove all non working outlets, switches and light fixture. Separate wires and make sure they are not touching. Set meter to continuity (little horse shoe symbol). Check to make sure meter is working.

Check for continuity between hot and neutral and between hot and ground at each box. If you truly have a short in the wiring, the meter should show continuity at two boxes. The short will be in the wiring between the two boxes.

Mobile homes are wired the same as regular homes, The Romex is nailed to the wall framing and cannot be easily pulled out. If you do find the short, you can drill a couple of holes in the floor plate and run another wire. At least you have underneath access. Situations like this are very costly in slab homes.

I read somewhere that some double wide mobile homes use a junction box(es) mounted on the underside of the home to connect one end of the home's electrical power to the next. Could there be a problem here? Is it just one side of the home that isn't working?
Thanks

No, they are not wired the same as regular houses. I own one and have worked construction my whole life. I've never seen a more idiotic way of wiring a house than is done routinely in a mobile home. Doublewides are the worst.

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Originally Posted by Diane H

No, they are not wired the same as regular houses. I own one and have worked construction my whole life. I've never seen a more idiotic way of wiring a house than is done routinely in a mobile home. Doublewides are the worst.

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Diane note this was posted 1 1/2 years ago. Crossover boxes are problematic if exposed in wet humid areas.

I understand it was posted a year and a half ago, but others are still reading this so I'm letting them know. I just bought a 1998 Oakwood Doublewide, so I know how this person feels. Also I'm trying to find the plugs that connect both halves of my house. Haven't found them yet.

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Originally Posted by Diane H

I understand it was posted a year and a half ago, but others are still reading this so I'm letting them know. I just bought a 1998 Oakwood Doublewide, so I know how this person feels. Also I'm trying to find the plugs that connect both halves of my house. Haven't found them yet.

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If you Google "mobile home crossover plugs " you may find some tips.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

If you google "mobile home crossover plugs " you may find some tips.

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Tried that, but got nothing.