Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    r2traps's Avatar
    r2traps Posts: 36, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Oct 12, 2007, 07:29 AM
    Washing machine fried two outlets and lost power in living room
    Hi everyone,

    I'm not very informed on the electrical workings of a house so please bear with me!

    Last night my washing machine, located in the laundry room of the basement stopped working. It had been working perfectly up until then. I tested the dryer next to it and it worked and everything else in the basement was working (lights, TV, etc.) I then tried plugging the washing machine into another outlet in the basement hallway and it worked. However, after running for a while while plugged into the different outlet, it stopped again and I also lost power to my living room area, which is on the main floor of my home.

    So, to recap:
    The original outlet the washing machine was plugged into does not work
    The outlet in the basement hallway does not work & no power in the living room area

    I did a visual inspection of the fuses in my fuse box but could not find anything that looked blown. Tried replacing some fuses but it didn't change anything. Since it's only specific outlets and a specific area with no power, I'm thinking it's not a blown fuse. As I said, I'm new to this, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
     
    #2

    Oct 12, 2007, 08:00 AM
    The best help you could get is to call for a licensed electrician. Usually, the washing machine is on a dedicated circuit.

    Exactly how did you test the fuses, switch them out or use an Ohm meter?

    Troubleshooting circuits, is not very easy to do and if you are brand new at working electrical problems, you could end up as dead as your outlets.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Oct 12, 2007, 05:59 PM
    This really sounds like a simple case of blown fuses or popped breaker. Are you in the US? If so, I would be surprised you still have fuses. Fuses or breakers, it still should be safe to recheck them. The box should have labels. Take a close look at anything labeled laundry or living room. If not look carefully at all the breakers or fuses. Breaker handles sometimes are only slightly out of position when they pop. If any are out of position at all, turn it all the way to off, and then back to on. With fuses, look for a gap in the little metal strip in the center, or andy darkness or cloudiness. If any look suspicious, unscrew it and replace it with one of the same rating.

    I would unplug the washer not try to run it again without having a repair man look at it. Is the dryer electric? If so, it should have its own 240 volt feed and not be affected by the blown fuse or breaker. Any one fuse should only control a few things. The outlet for the washer might be the only thing on its fuse. The hall outlet could be on with the living room, leaving them both off.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #4

    Oct 12, 2007, 06:36 PM
    Sounds like washer has a problem, maybe motor, loose wire/shorted, and blew 2 fuses, not yet found, Someone familiar with electric can remove panel cover , and test for voltage out of each fuse. Have lamp, radio, or a light with someone there and switch known good fuse around, with no meter, one that when removed, you see lamp or light go out. I would not use washer again, or buy more fuses. Good luck.
    r2traps's Avatar
    r2traps Posts: 36, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #5

    Oct 22, 2007, 10:00 AM
    Thanks for your help everyone. I am located in Ontario, Canada. My dryer is electric and is on its own 240 volt feed. After some troubleshooting, I can confirm that the hall outlet was connected to the living room. Turns out it was blown fuses. It was hard to identify which ones were blown, but I've been able to find them and change them so all the power is up an running now. The problem is with the washing machine, which recently started to smoke now. I'll probably get a pro in as I don't want to mess with smoking appliances!

    That being said, is it worth it to move from a fuse box to a breaker panel?
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
     
    #6

    Oct 22, 2007, 02:51 PM
    If it is Romex, It can be Very Fast, and Cheaper than if Solid conduits across top and bottom of panel. Fuses are Very Convient, and increases safety.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Washing Machine Drain- How high can machine lift H2O [ 1 Answers ]

Hi... Thinking about moving the washer down in the basement but the main sewer drain leaving the house is about 2' off the floor. There is currently a sewer lift installed for downstairs toilet that complicated cutting into the existing drain for new Y. Without getting to detailed, there is an...

Toilet closest to washing machine gurgles and backs up when washing machine drains. [ 2 Answers ]

When the washing machine drains, the toilet in the next room gurgles and the bowl partially fills. I have taken these steps: Ran hose down vent pipe on roof. No backup noticed. Had plumber snake from outside wall cleanout by washing machine and 1/2 bath toilet to city sewer line in alley,...

Washing machine backed up into powder room toilet on main floor [ 2 Answers ]

I saw something similar to this problem, so I hope I am not duplicating. I was washing clothes and noticed when it was draining that I heard gurgling in my kitchen sink. The sounds were coming from the kitchen sink, but no water back up. I walked to where the washer is located and looked...

Mobo fried along with power supply? [ 4 Answers ]

I'm troubleshooting a friends system He said he heard a pop and then smelled something burning Computer wouldn't start after that I hooked my power supply to his mobo and only the led light on the mobo turns on... Off/on don't work

Wire size for Outlets in basement family room [ 6 Answers ]

I am finally getting around to doing our family room in the basement. I was wondering what size wire to pull for the outlets should I use 12/2 with ground or 14/2 with ground. Also putting in recess lights should I use 12/2 with ground for them or 14/2 with ground. Thanks T


View more questions Search