[chemicalsister]

Hello everyone,
I have been having problems with my existing outlets in my home. My two bathrooms have both lost power in the outlets, and at the breaker box there is a breaker with a "test" button on it that does nothing when pressed. I was assuming that the two are directly related. I have had not tried to replace the breaker yet myself---as now I have a new problem! My kitchen outlets are now not working--one for microwave and one for fridge. I went back to breaker box and no breakers appear tripped! If anyone knows anything else I can check before calling an electrician I would really appreciate it, I already have an electrical problem in my car that cannot be fixed as of yet and this is making me crazy! Thanks in advance~

[tkrussell]

Finding the problem causing the inside faults will be easier than the car, but if you may need to call in a tech, since the defect you have most likely is a loose connection.

To find this , the panel, meter, outside lines, and possibly branch wiring will need to be thoroughly inspected and repaired. Unless you are knowledgeable of wiring and the equipment, a pro should be called in.

[yokeman]

If your house is fairly new the kitchen and bath outlets are of the ground fault interruptor type for safety. Someone may have accidentially hit the test button which will cause the power to go off at the outlet and all outlets that are connected in the same string. The test button on the circuit breaker is probably for this purpose. Try switching off the breaker and then on which may reset it. Many GFI outlets also have a reset button besides the test button.