Check out some similar questions!

delaguila · Jun 2, 2009, 02:25 PM

Hi,

I'm new here but looking for help. We just lost power to 1/2 our house. No circuits are tripped. Even the stove that has it's own line to the box isn't working. Any ideas?

My thanks,
Jean

Stratmando · Jun 2, 2009, 02:30 PM

I would turn off and then back on, the Main Breaker, may be half tripped. Fuses?
Are some lights dim or bright?
Does 240 Volt Range work?

Hot Corn Bread · Jun 2, 2009, 03:21 PM

Yep- breaker off sounds good or one supply line to house open circuit. Call power company and ask them to check line to meter.

ballengerb1 · Jun 2, 2009, 04:04 PM

I agree, if your breakers are fine I'd suspect you and not getting 240 from your power company.

ohb0b · Jun 3, 2009, 03:51 AM

Could be you are getting only 120 volts from the power company. It could also be one of the stabs on your meter is burned off, or there is a problem with the main breaker box.

Both of these situations are very dangerous. Have the power company or a licensed electrician look at the service.

wiringgenius · Jun 11, 2009, 07:40 AM

I think you should check your consumer unit for an RCD and see if this needs reset, you will be able to tell, if you have lighting but no power to anything else then it could be the RCD.

ballengerb1 · Jun 11, 2009, 07:42 AM

Where do you live and can you tell us what RCD stands for?

wiringgenius · Jun 11, 2009, 07:45 AM

I live in Scotland, Where are you? RCD is a Residual Current device and detects earth faults, Its usually the only breaker in the box with a "test" button on it,

tkrussell · Jun 11, 2009, 07:47 AM

Wiringgenius is probably from Britain, or Europe, as that is where Consumer Units ( called Panelboards here in North America) and RCD-Residual Current Device, ( called GFI device here in North America) are used.

He refers to a Type D circuit breaker, which again is used in Europe, again not in USA, in another post.

ballengerb1 · Jun 11, 2009, 07:49 AM

I live near Chicago, Illinois, USA and we do not have RCDs. Maybe the poster should tell us where he is located so he gets regionally correct advice. In the USA our home may have two separate 120 volt supply lines coming inside that can be combined to power 240 volt fixtures. If one 120 volt line has failed the other one could still supply 120 to half of the home. So Jean, tell us where you live.

tkrussell · Jun 11, 2009, 08:00 AM

Note to WiringGenius, I see your new here, and welcome.

I can foresee an issue with you answering many of the questions here, as most is related to wiring in North America, and the terminology will be greatly different.

I am not saying for you to not answer any questions, but be aware of some important terminology issues that I can see being a problem.

ballengerb1 · Jun 11, 2009, 08:01 AM

I need to remember that too I guess.